Notre Dame ROTC

<p>Do the ROTC guys live together, or intermingled with the student population?</p>

<p>Also, how big is the ROTC presence at ND?</p>

<p>ROTC people (like everyone else) are assigned randomly to dorms. There are no "theme" dorms at ND.</p>

<p>There's a good sized group of ROTC people on campus -- ND is one of the relatively few schools with ROTC programs for all three branches. According to their web sites (you should check them at nd.com as they have a lot of information for you) there's 100 in Army ROTC and 150 in Navy -- Air Force doesn't say. Some of the ROTC people are from other South Bend area colleges.</p>

<p>Thanks, I wasn't sure.</p>

<p>Do you know if ROTC guys do a bunch together (in uniform, etc) or is it like a typical college student?</p>

<p>My son is entering his second year of ROTC at Notre Dame. His experience has been a nice balance of time spent as a "typical student" and time spent in uniform doing things with his ROTC unit. He still has plenty of time to be a part of interhall sports, social life and other activities unaffiliated with ROTC. ROTC students are assigned randomly to dorms throughout the campus.</p>

<p>The university has a relatively new building which houses ROTC headquarters and a number of classrooms and meeting rooms, in the same part of the campus as the Rolfs aquatic center, the student athletic center, varsity athletic facilities and the band. </p>

<p>I would say the campus is quite amenable to ROTC students.</p>

<p>Getting back to this topic, how should I choose if I get ROTC offers from more than one service? What distinguishes the different ROTC branches on campus? Finally, how much of a time commitment would I be looking at per week outside of classes?</p>

<p>Can't comment on how other ROTC branches work on campus, but I know it is a great fit for my son at Notre Dame. His experience has been that the ROTC commitment is no more than what you might experience having an on-campus job. There is the physical training at 6 a.m. on Monday mornings, but he's pretty accustomed to that. He has a 3 credit-hour class, so far it's mainly been military history and the like--which he loves. He also has a 1 credit-hour class that doesn't get graded or counted in for graduation credits that is basically drilling an hour or so a week. </p>

<p>ROTC hasn't cramped his style; it has enhanced it. He is as tight with those guys as he is with the guys from his section and dorm. I remember coming in on a Thursday night for Frosh-O, after he'd spent a week in NROTC orientation. He came walking across the quad to greet us with a group of guys who were acting as if they'd known each other for years...the common experience bonded them tight! Given that he didn't know a soul going up there, it was wonderful as a parent to see. My guess would be that a similar comradery holds true at any ROTC program, as part of building the morale of a unit.</p>

<p>Another nice thing that I think is a factor everywhere is the monthly stipend, which started at $250 a month and has been raised to $300. He spends a little of it on haircuts and laundry dry cleaning, but most goes to day-to-day stuff. In his first year and a half, he was able to road trip to both the Michigan game in 2005 and the Michigan State game in 2006. He's also been able to watch Vince Vaughn and some other concerts and comedy shows. He's got more walking-around money than many of the kids on campus.</p>

<p>Another cool thing on the ND campus is that the head of security for events is a retired military guy, who loves to hire ROTC's for security for the training. This basically means my son gets in free to some pretty cool events, then gets a paycheck to boot!</p>

<p>One thing, though; the Navy ROTC spots fill up on a first-come first-served basis--Notre Dame's is among the most popular and fills up most quickly. It is also one of the longest-running programs, which produces more Naval officers, who rise up higher in the ranks, than any other program in the country besides the academy... It is rich in tradition, which integrates with the campus.</p>

<p>I have a 4-yr NROTC scholarship and a spot at ND but I was deferred EA. Does anyone know if the ROTC status will boost my chances slightly for getting in reg. decision??</p>

<p>I know ND's ROTC spots fill up quickly, relative to other universities. I don't know if they are filled by now, or if there are some remaining to be filled with RD admittees.</p>

<p>That being said, I'd think, if there were still spots open, the NROTC status would help at least somewhat for two main reasons. One, it is an honor that shows you have been through an arduous process and have been adjudged as worthy by the Navy. Second, if you are accepted, you will be able to pay in a way that does not drain from the university's total financial aid pool--this money comes from the US Navy.</p>

<p>I would certainly let ND know, if you haven't already, that you have been granted a Navy ROTC scholarship.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>ok heres the thing. Im considering joining ROTC and have talked to the officers at Pasquerilla Center (ROTC headquarters). You can join ROTC anytime you want. You just may not get a scholarship.</p>