theagentofchaos
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2011
- Messages
- 55
Recently, I spoke with an NROTC rep in my area. Though my rec isn't 'complete' yet (still in the process of filling it out), I was exhorted to switch my intended major from Japanese to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 technical major. If I were to do so, I was promised entry to a program called ISR, which I recognized, after the fact, to be some kind of fast-track means of processing one's application.
While I'm extremely flattered, I'm more than a bit hesitant to go for this. Seeing how quickly NROTC moved, and being in the process of applying to all three branches (and weighing my options therein), I'm not exactly primed to make that decision. I'm extremely motivated in my focus on East Asian Area studies, and intend to work toward a position in an FAO-esque role (within whichever branch I ultimately decide to be commissioned through/attend ROTC in). I'm not desperate for the scholarship; I have a guaranteed full ride to Baylor through the National Merit Scholarship, and I believe that, if I am to fund my education through an ROTC scholarship before actually beginning a military career, I will do so on the terms of my existing academic aspirations.
However, what worried me most in the conversation was my rep's quick dismissal of the Language, Regional Expertise and Cultural Awareness (LREC) scholarship. I had indicated interest in it on my application, and see it as the channel to the Naval equivalent of an FAO role. I suspect that he didn't recognize it from my description, and I'm aware that it is extremely selective (20 to 30 students per year), but he felt that I was putting myself at a serious disadvantage in selecting Japanese and should ultimately go technical if I desire to pursue a Naval career.
Am I missing some information on the LREC program, or am I underestimating the value of an ISR submission? Will LREC hurt my chances to work in an area or language-specific role if I ultimately go Navy?
While I'm extremely flattered, I'm more than a bit hesitant to go for this. Seeing how quickly NROTC moved, and being in the process of applying to all three branches (and weighing my options therein), I'm not exactly primed to make that decision. I'm extremely motivated in my focus on East Asian Area studies, and intend to work toward a position in an FAO-esque role (within whichever branch I ultimately decide to be commissioned through/attend ROTC in). I'm not desperate for the scholarship; I have a guaranteed full ride to Baylor through the National Merit Scholarship, and I believe that, if I am to fund my education through an ROTC scholarship before actually beginning a military career, I will do so on the terms of my existing academic aspirations.
However, what worried me most in the conversation was my rep's quick dismissal of the Language, Regional Expertise and Cultural Awareness (LREC) scholarship. I had indicated interest in it on my application, and see it as the channel to the Naval equivalent of an FAO role. I suspect that he didn't recognize it from my description, and I'm aware that it is extremely selective (20 to 30 students per year), but he felt that I was putting myself at a serious disadvantage in selecting Japanese and should ultimately go technical if I desire to pursue a Naval career.
Am I missing some information on the LREC program, or am I underestimating the value of an ISR submission? Will LREC hurt my chances to work in an area or language-specific role if I ultimately go Navy?