2026 New Cadet Orientation Program
The Flyin’ Irish™ New Cadet Orientation Program (NCOP) is Detachment 225's orientation and training program for prospective cadets from Notre Dame and all crosstown partner schools. The 2026 program begins Wednesday, August 19th, at the University of Notre Dame and concludes Friday afternoon, August 21st, before the main Welcome Weekend schedule begins. Crosstown cadets will receive lodging and arrival guidance before NCOP begins. Please contact detachment staff at afrotc@nd.edu.
During the program, cadets are introduced to the standards, routines, and expectations they will use during the first semester of AFROTC (Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps). Training areas in AFROTC include military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, physical training, leadership, and team development.
Note that participation in NCOP and the beginning of AFROTC does not incur a military service commitment. You CANNOT, however, enroll in AFROTC for Fall 2026 without talking to cadre or the Recruiting Officer at Detachment 225 first.
If you are interested in joining AFROTC in the Fall 2026, please check the links below for more information and registration materials. If you have any questions at all, please contact Detachment staff.
The Mission of NCOP
Guided by this year's NCOP mission, "Developing pride and wingmanship through discipline," cadets do more than just learn Air Force values; they join a culture of excellence. This experience fosters a pride not just in the United States and the Department of the Air Force, but in the very detachment they represent.
“NCOP was my first introduction to the culture of teamwork and high expectations of the detachment. The program helped me prove to myself that I could learn from mistakes and failures and grow in moments of weakness. It also allowed me to become closer to my class and made me excited to take on the challenges to come!” - Current AS 400 Cadet
“As someone without any military background, NCOP was the experience that really set my expectations for AFROTC and motivated me to succeed in the program” - Current AS 300 Cadet
How Should I Prepare?
To prepare physically for NCOP, we encourage cadets to follow this physical training plan leading up to NCOP.
- NCOP will take place from the 19th of August to the 21st of August. August 18th is an optional travel day to allow cadets to arrive to campus.
- In-processing will begin the next day, August 19th, between 1100 and 1530. Training will begin promptly at 1700 at Debartolo Hall and go until 2100. Please note: Dinner is not provided on August 19th. Ensure you eat a hearty meal before training begins at 1700.
- August 20th is the main training day of NCOP, and will last from 0600 to 1900. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided.
- The last session of training is August 21st, going from 0600 to 1100. Breakfast and lunch provided. The closing ceremony will take place from 1100 to 1200. A post-ceremony MWR (Morale, welfare, and recreation) event is scheduled from 1200 to 1300. After this, cadets will be dismissed to particiapte in Welcome Weekend ceremonies. Crosstown participants will be provided lodging during NCOP, and are excused from all classes during NCOP. (All times are Eastern Daylight Time)
| Date | Time (EDT) | Activity / Details | Meals Provided |
| Tue, Aug 18 | All Day | Optional Travel Day (Early arrival/travel buffer) | None |
| Wed, Aug 19 |
1100 - 1530 1700 - 2100 |
In-Processing Slots and Move In Training Begins (Report to Debartolo Hall) |
None (Eat before 1700) |
| Thu, Aug 20 | 0600 - 1900 | Main Training Day (Full schedule of instruction & exercises) | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Fri, Aug 21 |
0600 - 1100 1100 - 1200 1200 - 1300 |
Final Training Sessions Concluding Ceremony (Parents/guardians invited; Zoom option) Concluding MWR (Parents/guardians invited) |
Breakfast, Lunch |
Attending NCOP
NCOP will begin inprocessing on August 19th, 2026. More information about the training weekend will be released to cadets via email. Cadets will be able to request early move in for Wednesday, August 19th. More information about this process will be sent out at a later date. If you have any questions regarding NCOP, please reach out to detachment cadre, or NCOP staff. The uniform for In-Processing Day is khaki pants the Det 225 polo.
What to Bring
- A packing list for NCOP can be found in the NCOP 2026 Handbook.
NCOP Points of Contact
- For questions regarding recruitment and the Detachment as a whole, please direct emails to Captain Brewer.
- For questions specific to NCOP, please direct emails to C/Col Mourani, or C/Col Daly.
- General questions can be directed to this email.
End of NCOP
The NCOP concluding ceremony will take place on August 21st from 1100 to 1200. Parents/guardians are invited to this ceremony in-person. For those unable to attend, it will also be livestreamed via zoom.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will cadets be able to participate in Welcome Weekend activities?
- Is attending NCOP mandatory?
- Will cadre or cadets be in charge of NCOP?
- Does attending NCOP require military commitment?
- Does attending NCOP require an AFROTC scholarship?
- Who can I reach out to about questions?
- Will cadets be able to participate in Welcome Weekend activities?
Yes, cadets will be able to fully participate in Welcome Weekend activities, besides move in, as cadets will already be in their dorms. Welcome Weekend is specific to Notre Dame students.
- Is attending NCOP mandatory?
While attending NCOP is highly recommended for training and camaraderie, it is an optional training event. Events such as Band Camp with the Notre Dame Marching Band or preseason training for varsity athletics often take precedence over NCOP. Cadets are still able to attend parts of NCOP if they wish if they have prior commitments. Cadets with specific concerns or questions can contact NCOP staff or Capt Brewer.
- Will cadre or cadets be in charge of NCOP?
While cadre oversees the activities and NCOP as a whole, the program is led by current cadets. Seniors (400s) are the highest level of leadership, with juniors (300s) being mainly flight commanders and other administrative positions, and sophomores (200s) serving as advisors.
- Does attending NCOP require military commitment?
No, attending NCOP will not require future military service. NCOP is the onboarding program for Air Force ROTC.
- Does attending NCOP require an AFROTC scholarship?
No, attending NCOP does not require an AFROTC scholarship.
- Who can I reach out to about questions?
Any questions pertaining to NCOP can be direct to Detachment 225 Cadre, C/Col Mourani, or C/Col Daly.
Priority Links
Incoming cadets will receive an email with the 2026 NCOP Handbook, which includes a packing list, standard customs and courtesies of the Air Force, Air Force Warrior Knowledge (information pertinent to the mission of the Air Force and the mission of the Space Force), and more information about the Detachment 225 Cadre and Cadet Wing.
- We encourage friends and family to follow along with NCOP via the Notre Dame AFROTC Det. 225 Instagram page.
- More information about what Air Force ROTC is can be found on the official Air Force ROTC website.
- Information on Air Force Senior Leadership can be found on the official Air Force Senior Leadership website.
- Information on Space Force Senior Leadership can be found on the official Space Force Senior Leadership website.
Photo Gallery
A sneak peek at the various activities Flyin’ Irish™ cadets experience at NCOP.
Current as of 12 Aug 2026