<p>I know a bunch of them who did drop out after freshman year. The ones I know are doing fine. One of the things that we took very seriously (cousin and family) was that if my cousin’s son were to drop out of ROTC, he could still afford his current school. I’m sure in any series there are kids who drop out of any program for any number of reasons. If a kid doesn’t like it freshman year, he has 25% of his tuition paid by the scholarship with no obligation which is not a bad deal. Most of the kids I know who went this path stuck it out, including many who went without scholarship, but I know, over a lifetime, a lot of them who did not. None of the kdis I knew personally who dropped out of the program got stuck with the obligation because they were well aware of the deadlines in terms of commitments, but, yes, there are internet boards full of those who got caught.</p>
<p>My brother would have dropped out of USMA had they not yanked his ROTC scholarship automatically when he was accepted there. He nearly did not go back after his freshman year. But he did and retired some years ago as colonel. It can a path fraught with doubts and stresses; it is not easy, and having grown up in a military environment, I know it isn’t all smooth going. But if a kid wants to give it a try, I would encourage him/her.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your replies. Sorry I haven’t been replying back, I was applying and getting information and talking to recruiters about this whole thing. </p>
<p>I am sending in my NROTC application tomorrow. The reason I waited for years before “taking this seriously” was that in high school, to be honest, I wasn’t really thinking that it would be so complicated. I knew next to nothing about the process and time sort of got away from me. Now I know what I got to do. My #1 goal is to become a naval officer. I am not doing it for the money, I am doing it because I want to fly. I know that I probably won’t get the 4 year scholarship. I am pretty sure I can get the 3 year at Embry-Riddle. Also, I would like to get into the Academy if I can. Do you guys know much about getting into the Naval Academy? I’ve completed the app except for the Congressman’s nomination letter which I am getting from a friend within the next few days. Again, thanks for all the help.</p>
<p>You are way late for ROTC. It’s almost Thanksgiving and your app is not in yet and you have not had your formal interview. Boards have already taken place. Your chances of getting a 4 year scholarship are poor. You can join ROTC as a College Programmer but those scholarships are scarce. </p>
<p>You say you want to be a Navy officer but then you say you you want to fly. There is a good possibility you won’t get picked up for aviation. Are you OK with SWO, Sub, or Nuke? Because its not up to you. Needs of the Navy.</p>
<p>People have recently had pilot slots, sat stashed in Pensacola waiting to start flight school, then gotten a choice of switching designators completely or getting out. Need of the Navy.</p>