<p>A little back story first -- About a week ago our DS (dear son) was disenrolled from the USMMA in New York, in the first trimester of his senior year there due to failing several of his sea projects. To most people on the outside it looks like something not so bad, something that could be remedied but the academy took a very harsh view of this and disenrolled him. He is a Marine Engineering major with a 2.5, wants to commission Marine Corps and left in good standing overall, no probations, infractions, etc. They just would not accept his sea project failures; government money, sequestration pressure, etc. </p>
<p>Anyway -- he is in the process of applying to Texas A & M's Maritime school in Galveston. We think it is likely he will be accepted for this coming Spring semester. But, we would like him to apply for an NROTC scholarship to help pay for the next year or so of his education if he can qualify. He will be 23 next June. </p>
<p>My question is: Is he a good candidate for ROTC scholarships when he is already most of the way through his undergraduate education? Are there deadlines or restrictions that are different for a current college student? We live in No. California and it has been hard to get hold of an actual person to talk to about it here. So many offices are closed and people just don't answer the phone nor return calls. </p>
<p>Any information, suggestions, or people to contact would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>OP, no chance. Your DS is past the credit hours limit for NROTC. Even if he was not his 2.5 will make his chances virtually nill.</p>
<p>His only shot would be for OCS after he graduates from somewhere, but his history with USMMA and low GPA would IMO eliminate that too. Student with top grades and no issues get rejected from OCS all the time. </p>
<p>Not to be harsh, but being dis-enrolled for failures of mandatory projects as a Senior will make becoming a Navy or Marine officer pretty much impossible. Too much competition for very few slots. </p>
<p>If he really wants to be an officer then I suggest he enlist and prove himself. Then take advantage of a program like STA-21 to become an officer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the posts. It is hard to understand why a young student who did not do well enough on some sea projects, would have an entire life somewhat ruined, be left out of an officer program. I hope that he still has other possibilities to pursue his dreams, besides enlisting. I looked up the STA-21 program suggestion and it does sound like a good possibility but it did say it is only open to people who have not yet earned their baccalaureate degree, so now would be the time to look into that. He is a Marine Engineering Major and did get asked back at another time to the PLC program after getting through 5 weeks of the 6 at Quantico this summer. But maybe they will take a dim view of his disenrollment as you all say and just close doors on him.
As a parent I find it very harsh and strange that a person messes up one time, on something that could have been remediated, if allowed, and then their life can be so changed now.
Don’t know that many people know much about the USMMA, its politics, its leadership issues these last few years, but it is a mess. That said, our DS still should have made sure he passed all his sea projects, no excuses. But disenrollment was wrong, especially given that just within the last 6-12 months, others in his same situation were allowed to remediate, defer their grad, or take an extra year to prove themselves. We feel our DS has been somewhat of a sacrificial lamb, but what does the US govt care about what any of us thinks really? This academy was the only one in the nation completely shut down during the recent govt debacle – students sent home, etc., run by DOT, DOD.</p>
<p>Anyway – DS will persevere. He has drive, having nearly gotten through PLC on a badly sprained ankle, heat exhaustion, pink eye, illness, and all that coming off 4 different ship duties for 5 months straight. Hopefully he can prove to someone that he is officer material.</p>
<p>I noticed that you said he had failed more than one of his sea projects. Were these failures all simultaneous, or spread out over time? Had he ever had problems with these kind of projects previously ? Had he ever failed anything before, or was he ever on any kind of warning or probation? I am wondering what differentiated his circumstances from those who were allowed to remediate.</p>
<p>Is there any possibility he could take some time off, and then appeal or petition his way back in for a final chance, since he was so far along in the program? Or is it a judgment that he would not be able to cut it as a maritime officer, for whatever reason?</p>
<p>I also have one question–does he have any responsibility to pay back tuition to the Academy, in the way that students who leave ROTC or other academies with free tuition do?</p>
<p>Actually, considering Sea projects are a core part of the required curriculum and training to become Merchant Marine officers, he’s probably not perceived as being on track to fulfilling the following graduation obligations: </p>
<p>“To fulfill the requirements for a license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States on or before the date of graduation from the Academy;” or </p>
<p>“To maintain a license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States for at least six (6) years following the date of graduation from the Academy;” </p>
<p>That’s very serious and especially if the armed forces/Merchant Marine are facing Federal budget reductions, it’s understandable why he might have been disenrolled. </p>
<p>There may also be the possibility that the extent of his failing those “sea courses” was much more severe in the eyes of his instructors/academy authorities than those who were allowed to postpone their graduation or otherwise stay on. </p>
<p>It’s certainly much more serious than reasons some friends and relative recounted for why their Federal Service Academy classmates at USAFA, West Point, and Annapolis were disenrolled. </p>
<p>A few knew folks who were disenrolled/were themselves disenrolled for something as little as failing two core courses* in a given semester within their first two years in tight budgetary periods…such as right at the end of the Cold War in the early-mid '90s. </p>
<p>Just a few years before at the height of the Cold War, being in that same situation wouldn’t have gotten disenrolled when the budgets weren’t tight and the Federal government needed many more officers due to the Cold War. </p>
<p>*I.e. Engineering, Military Sciences, etc.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The understanding I have from folks I knew who went through the FSAs or ROTC is that:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>That responsibility only comes into play after the start of one’s 3rd year in college/academy after they retake their Service Oath. If one quits or is disenrolled before the start of one’s 3rd year, there’s no obligation for repayment. </p></li>
<li><p>In the event of failure to complete FSA/ROTC after the start of one’s 3rd year in the college or joining after starting one’s junior year in college, the decision on whether to require repayment for the education in monetary form, enlisted service, or completely forgiven is completely at the discretion of the parent service of the Academy.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>OP, the competition to be an officer is fierce these days. All it takes is one minor screw-up and these kids are out. Frankly there is no reason for second chances when there are plenty of candidates waiting that do not have issues. </p>
<p>To be blunt with a disenrollment on his record your DS has almost a zero chance of picking up a commission via either STA-21 or OCS.</p>
<p>Instead of being mad at the USMMA you should be mad at your DS for blowing his chance. He knew the requirements.</p>
<p>Wow IM – you are so very harsh and unyielding. Just to set the record straight, of course we are not happy that our DS messed this up but you clearly don’t know anything about USMMA. It is a place with inconsistent discipline and policies and is not really run like a real military establishment, but sometimes is run like one – what I am in disagreement with is who they allow to stay and who is made to go. He had zero previous offenses, whereas others have even had drug offenses and class failures and have been allowed to stay.
Bottom line – His biggest mistake by far was trying to fit in PLC in Quantico this summer when he should have come home and worked more on his projects. His zeal to fulfill his commitment to PLC, having gained a flight spot, got in his way and he really had his priorities mixed up for sure. But he did find students there who had been disenrolled from colleges but were still there on their second time at PLC, so contrary to your story, the Marine Corps does give second chances to people. So I am hoping that whoever he applies to will take that same view of his school history, instead of your “no mercy” view of the world. </p>
<p>To COBRAT – yes, he has to either repay money, enlist in the Naval Reserve or finish at another Maritime school to fulfill his obligation. He will most likely go to Texas A & M.</p>
<p>As the wife of a US Marine Corps officer for 22 years, I can assure you that putting the needs of the Corps above the individual is nothing new. Also, I don’t think those who were given second chances should have gotten them. It’s not fair to the Marines, soldiers and sailors they will someday lead. In other words, why should people who will be making life and death decisions about others get second chances due to an inability to get the job done? It’s damn tough to become a Marine Corps officer and it should be. </p>
<p>Having said that, it’s not the end of the world for your son. One path is closed but surely others will open. To tell the truth, the people we know who didn’t make it in the Corps have done very well in the civilian world. They certainly make more money and live in nicer houses than we do. And there are endless ways to serve ones country and the world. I’m sure your son is disappointed in his current situation but he does still have a bright future in front of him.</p>
<p>Edited to add: I just read your post above mine. I sometimes forget how tough those pre-Corps and early Marine Corps years can be. I am truly sorry for what surely is a difficult time for your all. They are so young and so much is riding on their decisions. My husband was a Naval Aviator as well and it does make it even tougher to get in. I think your son is wise to chose the Texas A & M route and set his sights on a career in the maritime world.</p>
<p>OP, I am telling you what I have seen from experience. I have seen a kid disenrolled for being two pounds overweight a month before commissioning and then having to pay back the Navy all of the tuition. Disenrollment for a moving violation traffic ticket. </p>
<p>I call them like I see them. Would you rather I blew smoke and told you he could get an NROTC scholarship when actually he does not qualify or tell you OCS is a possibility when in my experience a disenrollment is an automatic DQ for OCS?</p>
<p>I gave you the best option if he still wants to be an officer. He will need to prove himself and even then there are no guarantees. </p>
<p>My “no mercy” view is based on reality. There are many, many more qualified applicants to be officers than there are spots. There is no incentive for 2nd chances and I have not seen any actual cases of this happening. Could it? Sure. </p>