Hello all, I have a fairly tough decision to make. I was awarded a 4 year, full tuition scholarship by the United States Army for ROTC. I was accepted by all the schools I applied for, but narrowed it down to TAMU and Purdue (Russian Language major for both). I have visited both schools (TAMU twice) and I am torn between the two. I am also out of state from Indiana. Both ROTC programs are respected, but with TAMU being the obvious winner in that respect. Though Corps life is very tough and Purdue has a whole lot more freedom for an ROTC Cadet. I am torn though on all other respects. Does anyone have any experiences or insight either way?
If you think Corps life is very tough, you may want to reconsider ROTC.
I would go for the Cadet Core at A&M! It’s considered the next best thing to West Point in preparing cadets to be officers. There’s also scholarships available that can cover the room and board/food costs.
Acknowledging that something is tough doesn’t mean someone isn’t well-suited for it or shouldn’t go. It’s simply fact: Corps life is tough, and being in the Corps of Cadets at TAMU is going to be a really different experience than doing ROTC two or three days a week at a university that doesn’t have a Corps.
That said, that’s a neutral thing, with positives and negatives. The Corps of Cadets at TAMU is the largest uniformed student body outside of the service academies, and has a very distinct culture that many cadets love and cherish. There are lots of traditions that people value and is a motivating factor for attending. One reason why TAMU has such strong alumni bonds and school spirit is the Corps. TAMU also just has a long list of general traditions that everyone in the school participates in - but the Corps are considered the keepers of Aggie traditions (Keepers of the Spirit, they are called).
ROTC culture at a school that is not a designated senior military college is pretty different. While there are very strong ROTC units, and some universities have large ones with their own culture and traditions, during the days when you’re not in ROTC you’re essentially a regular university student.
So it really depends - what kind of experience do you want? Something that’s more like a “normal” college student experience? Or the intense cultural bonding experience in the Corps?
If something should happen that would require that you leave ROTC (for example a surprise medical issue), which of these places is where you’d feel most comfortable and find a major that you like? Or would you head back to an institution in your home state where the costs would be lower?
Not something you want to contemplate of course, but every year people find themselves in situations where they have to drop ROTC. Think about what could be your Option B.
Corps of Cadet life is going to be VERY different at TAMU vs. Purdue. At TAMU it is an all day every day, all IN best of a mentality. Live it, breathe it and don’t sleep it. Every day all day grind. You have to REALLY want to be a part of the Fighting Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. Does that describe you?
Thank-you all for the responses, I have chosen TAMU.
Senior Military Colleges
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_senior_military_college