<p>I'm trying to choose between NROTC at UPenn and the Naval Academy.Any ideas or suggestions? I aim to major in business/economics (I know Annapolis has no business school). I plan on entering the Marine Corps after graduation.</p>
<p>Sent you a p.m.</p>
<p>Hey there. I’m a current midshipman at USNA. Personally, I definitely would’ve done NROTC if I had known more about each option. I think NROTC will give you the best of both worlds. You’ll get to do sweet military exercises and drills with your unit that USNA rarely does. Plus, you’ll get to experience the diversity and fun of a great civilian school without paying for it. Some people really enjoy the extreme stress environment at Annapolis, but I sure think that NROTC would allow you the optimal control over your college experience and career.</p>
<p>If one’s goal is to serve as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps - especially if they want to be at the “tip of the spear” - I don’t see how there can be a better choice than the United States Naval Academy, unquestionably the premiere officer training program in the Navy.</p>
<p>However, if one is only mildly interested in serving as an officer and having a “college experience” is important to them - then, unquestionably, NROTC is a better route.</p>
<p>When you consider many of the hardships placed on the military, I’m not sure the ass-kicking good time one may have had in college will be an experience upon which they can lean.</p>
<p>The military obligation for a full NROTC scholarship is the same as the Naval Academy obligation.</p>
<p>Also, if you don’t feel comfortable with the technical course load required at the Naval Academy (even if you want to major in humanities), NROTC might be a better choice. The Econ majors at the Naval Academy have to take Chemistry, Calculus, Differential Equations, Physics, Electrical Engineering and Thermodynamics - that’s why everybody earns a Bachelor of Science Degree.</p>
<p>Excellent counsel.</p>
<p>While it is indisputable IF one sees himself as a career officer in the Navy or the Corps (pronounced “core” … NOT “corpse.” ;)), there are significant benefits and advantages in pursuing an Academy degree and commissioning vs. ROTC. Anecdotal, antiquated, and still of illuminating significance, every 5 star admiral in Naval history was an Academy alumnus. Now, are there non-Academy flag officers? Yes. And they are not rare. But IF that is one’s objective, and IF one has the option of attending the Academy, do it. Conversely, as noted, if one is simply looking for a ease of entry and a minimal experience, then ROTC may well be the better option.</p>
<p>A few footnotes:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>IF one is interested in being a flight nurse, ROTC is the ONLY option. Not a possibility via USNA.</p></li>
<li><p>IF one is interested in a USMC minimal experience, the ROTC might be the better option. In both the nursing and Marine options, only a 4 year active duty is required upon commissioning. Other Navy options are all minimum of 5 years active duty … unless one is separated earlier. And today many are. In the event of sequestration come January, no doubt many more will be separated prematurely. In nearly all of those events, there is rarely any “pay-back” required.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My S did NROTC at a big state u. He loved it. Does not regret a thing.<br>
Is now doing his dream job in the U.S. Navy.</p>
<p>Now listen everybody is different when it comes to joining the military. There are a variety of good reasons and a variety of bad reasons and everyone reacts differently to a military environment. There are some people who absolutely love everyday of the academy, however, there are definitely those who regret applying just as much. In high school there is only so much you can do to inform yourself on the best choices for your future. Everybody goes through a dramatic change their first year away from home, and one’s goals may change drastically with them. This is inevitable. If you are not completely sure you would like to sign up for the Academy I would encourage you to do NROTC. This gives you much more flexibility in handling your future. If you don’t like NROTC, you can easily leave after two free years. At the Academy, transferring out is a much more difficult process. But honestly, from the many ROTC cadets and midshipmen I’ve talked to ROTC is a blast and you’ll make great friends within your unit. You’ll also be able to befriend civilian peers and have a much more diverse and lively social life. Now fans of the Academy will say that you’ll make lifelong friends at the Academy and that there is no military advantage of having a good social life. However, the biggest complaint I hear from the enlisted sailors and Marines, the people the officer is supposed to take care of, is that Academy grads lack the social preparation it takes to confront the life problems of their personnel in the Fleet Many Academy alumni have come back and said they never even utilized calculus or physics ever again but they definitely felt being able to care for one’s troops was essential. Ironically the heavy academics of the Academy does more to foster individualism than teamwork as mids slave away on their computers tucked away in a library corner room. Lastly, if you plan on doing Marines, ROTC is absolutely the best choice. ROTC begins Marine training from day one, whereas at the Academy you’ll be waiting until the summer before your senior year to even be screened for a Marine Corps slot. Many, but not all, of the Academy Marine-selects didn’t even want to do Marines until their junior year. If you are absolutely sure about Marines, DEFINITELY go ROTC.</p>
<p>There is not any one thing which should be the deciding factor in choosing ROTC vs. USNA. Many choose USNA knowing they want to be Marines, but others decide that after being there and getting exposure to the various service options.</p>
<p>Whether ROTC or USNA, if going Marines you will all spend 6 months at Quantico following graduation.</p>
<p>Remember though … initial requirements of military service are different for ROTC vs. USNA for those chosen for USMC. ROTC is 4 years active duty. USNA is 5.</p>