NROTC Dilemma

Parents Forum
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<p>I’ve posted my son’s story on the Service Academy forum and ADad suggested that I might post it here in order to gather parental input. I’ll try to be as brief as I can. First of all, please know that my s has always been passionate about all things military and has expressed a desire to serve. While the scholarship may allow him to attend a school he could not otherwise afford, that is not the reason that he applied. </p>

<p>S was awarded a NROTC Tier 3 (any major) scholarship in early March to a NROTC unit at a large public university. NROTC schlarships are full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend in return for 8 years of service after graduation. S was planning on attending a great liberal arts college (‘a crosstown affiliate’) and joining the unit at the public U, which is about 5 miles away. In late March, S visited both the LAC and the unit. While there, he learned that it has been three years since the last LAC student participated in the unit and that he would be the lone NROTC midshipman from the LAC, while everyone else came from the public U or another cross-town affiliate. Son got some ‘vibes’ from the NROTC staff that in the past there had been some ‘issues’ with the liberal students from the LAC. S came home uncomfortable with the situation.</p>

<p>A few days later, S was admitted to his dream school. We visited the school and the NROTC unit and S felt at home. Son requested a transfer to the dream school NROTC unit, but was denied because the unit is full. He was put on the unit waiting list (along with about 15 others). Chances don’t look good. The commanding officer did indicate that he has good success at getting students 3 or 3 1/2 year scholarships and would help my son with that if he enrolled at the dream school. Son cannot attend the dream school (for long at least) without the scholarship. </p>

<p>So, son is now trying to decide what to do. (This is where ADad came in and suggested I post here). We see the options as:</p>

<li>Forget NROTC and attend our flagship university or the LAC listed above.</li>
<li>Enroll at the dream school and hope for a spot off of the wait list or work hard for one of the 3 or 3 1/2 year scholarships (no guarantee). Son could not continue after the first year without a scholarship.</li>
<li>Despite his discomfort with the situation, attend the LAC and enroll in the NROTC unit at the large public U. If it doesn’t work, either drop NROTC (no penalty during first year) or transfer to the large public U and stay with NROTC. </li>
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<p>I guess I’m just looking for some wisdom as son struggles with this dilemma. Any thoughts, anyone.</p>

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<p>i was college program 25 years ago, joined first year, and then got my scholarhip staritng sophmore.</p>

<p>If he is a good student, really wants to do the military, joins as a college studnet and majors in engnieering, chemistry, or physics (the navy only wants technical majors), and take the risk and go to his school of choice.</p>

<p>Ask the CO what was the drop out last year for the unit.</p>

<p>When I was in school, the committment started jr year and half the unit dropped out.</p>

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<p>Sounds like your Son knows all of the ramifications. As long as he also knows the risks. I would let him decide, because after all it’s his life. (but you know that… because your trying to help him so much). I’ll bet he will do great with whatever he decides.</p>

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<p>Typically I’d think it was insane for a kid to start a school they could not afford. However, my BIL did this very thing and I’ve met lots of officers over the years who also did this. There are always going to be Freshman and even Sophmores who find that ROTC is not what they thought it would be
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<p>This is also a good sign. </p>

<p>Personally, I would have my child contact to the CO again and find out exactly what it would take. I also agree that it’s a good idea to ask the CO how many slots opened up by the end of last years freshman class. At a minimum he should set goals of keeping his GPA very high and arrive at school in top physical shape with a firm committment to staying that way. He also needs to be ready to show up and do what the CO wants him to do. </p>

<p>Lastly, knowing your son as you do, how hard would it be for him to transfer to another school if the ROTC scholarship did not work out? Is he the kind of kid who falls head over heels or can he maintain some perspective? </p>

<p>I wish your son the very best of luck and thank him for wanting to serve our country.</p>

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<p>S is a sr. in NROTC at a big state u. His freshman class started out with 27 midshipman. Of that number only 10 or 12 are still there as seniors. Slots will open up.</p>