UMich and ROTC

<p>Can anyone describe the social life for cadets in ROTC?
Do ROTC students stay in one particular dorm?
What is covered $$$ and not covered?
Drawbacks?Benefits?
How good is their mentoring program?
Is there formal social opportunities within the cadets?
Are their military fraternities?
How popular is ranger challenge?</p>

<p>I can answer questions for Navy ROTC, but these may vary if you inquiring about Army or Air Force.</p>

<p>My son has friends at U of M from home (not in ROTC) that he still spends time with, he has a new group of friends through ROTC and other friends that he has made through these two groups. You really cannot afford to be a partier as a member of ROTC, but can have an active social life.</p>

<p>ROTC students are randomly assigned dorms like every other freshman on campus.</p>

<p>Tuition and a few fees are covered. There is also a book stipend and monthly living stipend. The amounts of the stipends differ for each branch of service.</p>

<p>Each midshipman is assigned a navy advisor (in addition to the school advisor), has tutoring opportunities (to be tutored and be a tutor), has a squad leader and platoon commander - there is a LOT of mentoring available. As far as social activities, there are some required (a couple of formal dinner/dance events), informal sports events (ie flag fooball) and many volunteer activities that bring the midshipman together (oh, and there is football!).</p>

<p>I am not aware of any military fraternities, however, some midshipman also belong to a separate fraternity (ie Greek Life). I am not aware of the ranger challenge, so this probably is not a Navy thing.</p>

<p>ROTC is a fabulous opportunity for a young person who wants to serve their country. ROTC serves as a smaller community within a huge university that helps to guide the young men and women who participate. ROTC is a group of people on campus with whom you already have something in common!</p>

<p>There are many demands on an ROTC members time and the first year can be tough as you adjust to living away from home, taking very difficult classes and adapting to ROTC, but there is a lot of support and I know my son would highly recommend it. He is a sophmore this year.</p>

<p>Feel free to ask me any other questions and I will do my best to answer them!</p>