Drexel rotc

Colleges and Universities A-Z Drexel University
1

<p>On another thread a user Nate asked me some questions about NROTC which I am currently a in so I'll describe Drexel's ROTC program and if you have any questions at all about anything feel free to respond here.</p>

<p>ARMY vs. NAVY
Drexel has Army ROTC. UPENN has Navy ROTC (which includes the Marine Corps). even though Navy ROTC (NROTC) is at Penn, you are still able to do ROTC at penn as a drexel student. This is because of a cross-town agreement between the two schools (which also allows penn students to do army rotc at drexel). Both of these programs are very good and I recommend either.</p>

<p>BENEFITS
If you are considering rotc at Drexel, I assure you that you will not find a better school around here to do it. ROTC will pay full-tuition, give you a stipend every month (a few hundred dollars), pay for your books, and give you all your uniforms. Additionally Drexel gives all ROTC students FREE HOUSING. As an upperclassmen you'll get housing in free campus owned apartments which are the biggest, nicest, and closest to campus. This can easily add up to $1000 a month. Drexel will give you a 25% discount on your Mealplan which also adds up. Another benefit is that Drexel will treat you like a varsity athlete. you can always pull the "I'm in ROTC" to get your way to take a test a certain day, or to get in a class you otherwise wouldn't be able to. All ROTC students get priority class registration which comes in very handy since you can basically make your schedule what you want to be with the teachers you want before any of the classes fill up. If you haven't figured it out Drexel is very supportive of ROTC and its great that they are.</p>

<p>Because I'm in NROTC i'll be speaking about primarily navy rotc and my experiences there however I can also answer army ROTC questions.</p>

<p>TYPICAL WEEK
A typical week consists of waking up at 5 to 5:30 AM three days a week and walking over to the ROTC unit to either PT or Drill. On wednesday navy ROTC midshipmen wear uniforms and in the afternoon we go to Naval Science lab which usually consists of a speaker or some other activity. You will also have to attend military science classes at Drexel for Army ROTC or Naval Science classes at Penn for Navy ROTC. for NROTC students this is pretty cool because your taking free classes at Penn whose credits transfer to Drexel and you're technically a part-time Penn student. Occasionally there will be stuff on the weekends such as required community service, military balls, MECS (military competitions at different schools around the country where you compete in drill and athletic events), and Field Exercises (for marines and army).</p>

<p>INTENSITY
Both units, especially NROTC is very intense. You need to be motivated to be there or else you will drop. This is no joke and ROTC is more than just an activity. You are on inactive reserve in the military while at school. It is preparing you to become a Navy, Army, or Marine Corps Officer. PT (physical training ) is huge and you will constantly take PT tests to make sure you're good to go and physically fit.</p>

<p>SUMMER TRAINING
During the summer you'll participate in a few weeks of active-duty training periods. For Army you can go to a bunch of different schools (eg: airborne or air assault school). For Navy Mids you go on a cruise (eg: get attached to an aviation squadron, a submarine, or ship), and Marines get their ass beat at Officer Candidate School which is the equivalent of basic training for officers. i think the summer training is the best part about nrotc and i've had the best times of my life on both of my cruises.</p>

<p>SUPPORT
ROTC is also more of a fraternity. You'll get to bond very closely with your fellow midshipmen or cadets. You'll most likely live with them at Drexel, spend many hours with them during the week, take classes with them, go out with them at night, rely on them for support, etc. Everyone knows each other and its a very close-knit community. </p>

<p>Overall, I am very satisfied with my ROTC experience at Drexel and love every moment of it. If anyone has any specific questions on the military or what areas you can go into from ROTC, how to prepare for ROTC, how to apply for ROTC including the scholarship process, comparing another schools ROTC program or the Service Academies, or want to know more about specific experiences feel free to reply or send me a message.</p>

2

<p>Thanks for going into such detail! I am a senior in high school right now and I was recently awarded a 4 yr. NROTC scholarship to Villanova. I just got into Villanova and am almost positive I am going to do ROTC there but Drexel is still an option. Any advice for me for picking between those two schools? And how many female midshipman are in your unit?</p>

3

<p>irishabby,</p>

<p>Both the NROTC units at UPENN and Villanova are in the same consortium. This means that we share the same commanding officer, executive officer, and marine officer instructor. We also end up doing a lot of joint activities together (for example, your orientation week is being run together)</p>

<p>Even though I think the UPENN NROTC unit is better off, its a biased opinion just because I go here. I would say the actual Villanova NROTC unit facilities are much nicer (although PENN NROTC has made progress in this aspect recently). Villanova has a whole building dedicated for them and a much nicer wardroom. The Villanova NROTC unit also has more midshipmen (we have around 75 and I believe they have well over 100). I do believe, however, that our unit has a much tighter and closer bond than Villanova, probably having a lot to do with our smaller size. Everyone at our unit knows each other very well, and most likely your classmates will also become some of your best friends and possibly your roomates. Of course that means everyone will know if you miss an evolution, its a lot harder to "fly under the radar, and we have our own share of gossip, but I like it a lot and its nice to know you can depend on anyone if you are having trouble.</p>

<p>Our unit is composed of around 20 to 25% females (I'm not totally sure but I believe Villanova's stats are similar). If you are worried about being a female in the unit whatever the case, its a common concern, but I assure you that you'll fit in very well and you'll be at no disadvantages. You'll have just as many leadership responsibilities and opportunities as any male and there will be more than enough female midshipmen to mentor you. Believe it or not, there are actually several female marine option midshipmen at our unit and one of them last year was our battalion commanding officer.</p>

<p>One thing I forgot to say in my last post was even though Drexel is a "cross-town" affiliate of Penn NROTC, about 70% of all midshipmen go to Drexel and usually both ROTC events and social life revolve around Drexel. Don't think at all you'll be an outcast, its just the opposite.</p>

<p>My best advice to give you is go to the school you believe your more well suited for. Both NROTC units have different feels, but both are top-notch and two of the best units in the country when it comes to aptitude, service placement, and the success of our alumni. The unit staff at both are also phenominal. I chose to come to Drexel because of Drexel's academic program, the 5 yr co-op program (which is a great advantage if your in ROTC), Drexel's strong support for ROTC (Villanova won't give you free housing), and Drexel is right in the heart of Philadelphia which is such a great advantage. Its a pain in the ass to come to Philly from Villanova if you wanna do anything.</p>

<p>Additionally, depending on what community in the Navy you'd like to go in and what major you are thinking about in college, message me and I'd be happy to get you in touch with a female midshipman from either Penn or Villanova. You can also call both units and speak to the 4th class advisor. Feel free to ask me anything else.</p>

4

<p>Hey man, I know you are in NROTC, but you might know some AROTC guys, do you know what percent gets their 1st pick job selection for AROTC?</p>

5

<p>This is a complicated answer. What army job selection do you want? I believe most people get their top choices, however I've heard some mysterious funky stuff happens sometimes with the army selection board (eg: occasionally someone first in their class with excellent aptitude might get one of their last choices). It mostly depends on grades, aptitude and PT scores. Keep in mind, unlike navy rotc, you are competing for active duty slots. If you want to go aviation, you might get selected for aviation but in a reserve or national guard component, and be stuck for a long time before you go to flight school. PM me and I can give you some currenty army cadets to e-mail who might be helpful. the cadre at the armory are probably also helpful if you give them a call.</p>

6

<p>How did NROTC work for you doing Co-op?</p>

7

<p>Natefizzle, great question. This answer applies to all those interested in Army ROTC as well (eg: instead of summer cruise you'd be going to summer training).</p>

<p>NROTC works perfectly with 5 year three co-op, however it does not work so good with 4 year one co-op. If you choose 4 year one co-op you take classes during the summer and have to miss one of your summer cruises (which sucks... a lot). Most NROTC guys at the Penn/Drexel unit are on a 5 year program to begin with, so you'd be with guys from your class even on your fifth year at Drexel.</p>

<p>If you are worried if you have to wake up in the morning and PT during co-op, you don't. When you start co-op you take a LOA (leave of absence) and you don't have to do anything related to NROTC. Of course, you'll have to take a few weeks off of your co-op for your summer cruise (which usually employers have no problem with and are even supportive on - for example, since i was on military leave, my co-op actually paid me for the time i was on summer cruise). You'll have a co-op without a cruise as well.</p>

<p>Here's a sample schedule:
Freshman: Q1 Q2 Q3 Summer Break/CORTRAMID
Sophomore: Q1 Q2 Co-op Co-op/2nd Class Cruise
Pre-Junior: Q1 Q2 Co-op Co-op
Junior: Q1 Q2 Co-op Co-op/1st Class Cruise
Senior: Q1 Q2 Q3</p>

<p>As you see in this example, I chose pre-junior year to skip my summer cruise requirement. (some chose sophomore or junior years instead)</p>

<p>There is more though:
If you are on a 5 year co-op program, you will get the flexibility to do study abroad and co-op abroad. The reason I say that is that every single term you have to take naval science classes. However, its only 4 years of naval science classes. That means you basically have a whole year to skip a naval science class if you have a real tough courseload for that term (and take it the year after) or you want to study abroad (which the navy will allow you to do and pay for you as well).
For example, I will be studying abroad next winter/spring, and am skipping my naval science class that term because since i'm on a 5 year program, i'll be taking it the following year.</p>

<p>Its possible to have low or nonpaid government internship-type jobs count as your co-ops as well. think of the endless opportunities. for the summer you can work at the pentagon, the office of naval intelligence, the FBI, CIA, work in washington dc as a congresional staffer, be a shore town cop, etc. (these are actually all internships rotc mids/cadets have done before)</p>

<p>As you see I'm trying to convince everyone to do a 5 year/3 co-op. This is true for ROTC and non-ROTC. Every single midshipman who goes 4 year/1 co-op and refuses to listen to advice from upperclassmen ends up hating their college experience, and sometimes, even ends up graduating later than expected.</p>

<p>Don't forget Drexel will let you take up to 4 credits of free classes on co-op. (most take advantage of this and take one of the night classes which are usually more relaxed than day class anyways). This will allow you to have less of a courseload during the school term, or minor/concentrate in something you'd like to. theoretically 3 co-op * 2 quarters * 4 credits = 24 free credits which is equivalent to two full-time academic terms of 12 credits. </p>

<p>If you are going into the military, nothing is a bigger benefit than having a few years of real civilian work experience behind your belt. This will not only make you a more well-rounded and experienced officer, it will help aid you when you have to make the decision whether you get out of the service, or you stay in. Nobody else will be able to compare military vs civilian life as well as you. This gives you a huge up against all the guys from the naval academy. Since I haven't hit the fleet yet, this advice isn't coming from me, its coming from all the officers I've ran into during summer cruise and explained to them about the co-op program or those officers who have been on co-op during college.</p>

<p>Lastly, you'll be more financially sound and independent than most other students. As an ROTC midshipman/cadet, not only will you have your tuition and room paid for, but you'll be collecting thousands of dollars in the bank for you to use for whatever you want during college - invest it in the stock market, spend it on a new car, drink your money away at the bars every night, etc.</p>

<p>I hope this advice helps.</p>

8

<p>Thanks. That sounds like a really good deal. I hadn't planned on doing Co-op, but if I go to Drexel, I'll probably try to get into the 5-year/3 co-op option.</p>

9

<p>Hey Zack. Just wanted to let you know I will be going to Drexel doing NROTC. I have a few questions.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are the tuition and housing deposits reimbursed?</li>
<li>I think there are 2-3 weeks between NROTC Orientation Week and the start of Drexel right? What would happen in those weeks?</li>
<li>Are the General Fee, Lab Fee, Student Activity Fee, and Immunization Fee covered by NROTC?</li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks, I’m pretty excited to start.</p>

10

<p>Nate,</p>

<ol>
<li>If you are on scholarship on ROTC you do not have to pay a housing deposit. If they try to make you, tell me, and I’ll give you the exact policy on Drexel’s website that says you don’t have to. What do you mean by tuition reimbursement? If you have more money in your account (eg: drexel owes you money) than yes you can get it direct deposited into your bank account.</li>
<li>You’ll have 3 to 4 weeks between orientation and start of drexel. You’ll most likely go back home, and work on PTing (physical training).</li>
<li> All tuition fees are covered by NROTC… general fees, lab fees, student activity fees, you name it. I’m not sure about the immunization fee though, that’s something totally seperate from tuition. You might want to call the ROTC unit and ask.</li>
</ol>

<p>Let me know if you have any other questions.</p>

11

<p>It’s the matriculation fee/tuition deposit of $300.</p>

<p>So do the Naval Science classes pretty much follow Drexel’s schedule compared to Penn’s?</p>

12

<p>i don’t know about the matriculation fee. the naval science classes follow both school’s schedules. its hard to explain, but bottom line is that you’ll have no conflict, guarenteed. eg: naval science classes will start when drexel starts and end when the first school ends.</p>

13

<p>I will be attending Drexel and doing NROTC and I was wondering if the ROTC scholarship picked up on the 5th year of tuition for the 5-year 3-Co-op?</p>

14

<p>I do believe it should. You can call the selection office in Florida and ask, or the unit office at UPenn and ask there as well, but the scholarship does pay full tuition. It is listed as a covered University on the website.</p>

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<p>bmurtha, the answer to your question is yes the scholarship pays for all 5 years of your college. drexel is a great school to attend for nrotc and you’ll get a lot of great perks. feel free to ask here if you have any other questions</p>

16

<p>Are you able to join a frat while in ROTC?</p>

17

<p>Yes. I wouldn’t encourage you to do it freshman year because you’ll have your plate full but many still do.</p>

18

<p>Do not forget there is always the AFROTC option. There are several drexel cadets who are in the air force program.</p>

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<p>you probably don’t want to go to drexel just to do air force rotc. the afrotc is a cross-town and its a real nuisance to get on the other side of the city to st joes for an evolution. the scholarships are also harder to get than army or navy, since air force has less spots since they are downsizing. i know a girl who was afrotc freshman year and she switched to drexel’s army rotc program because of this. also, I think, (but i’m not positive), that AFROTC does not get free housing or a discounted mealplan like nrotc/rotc out of drexel or penn. I’m not even sure if they get priority registration.</p>

<p>Even if they do, I wouldn’t go to drexel for the primary reason of going afrotc.</p>

20

<p>Can I request to live with other nrotc (marine option) when I fill out my housing? And do I get first priority on the housing I request?</p>