Big impact ROTC decision

solon

solon

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
69
I don't want to blow it. It's an honor to get an ROTC scholarship. I know it will help me commission as an officer in the Army. With an open mind, I visited the school offered (its a good public school), and listened to a 2LT describe the minimum that will be required of me. If that's the bar, I may be in the wrong place. I really want a life changing challenge. If I go to VMI and can't transfer the scholarship, do I increase the risk that I won't be able to commission? I need to send in my acceptance letter tomorrow.
 
The key is he said minimums. Trust me. There will be plenty of challenges. If you're just doing the on paper minimums you're really not cutting it. Can't talk to the SMCs much but I think your guaranteed a commisioning. Check some other threads on the forum on this.

Also, did you mention your concern to the Lt.? Im sure he could have addrressed your concern if you had mentioned it. Speak up son!
 
solon said:
If I go to VMI and can't transfer the scholarship, do I increase the risk that I won't be able to commission?
Click to expand...

I don't think there is any downside to accepting the scholarship tomorrow. Later, if you decide that the benefits of VMI are greater than the free-ride opportunity you have at the other school, then you should go with VMI (VMI will definitely be a life-changing experience, and don't let money be the deciding factor). If you ultimately decide to attend VMI, the fact that you previously declined a scholarship at another state school will have ZERO impact on your commissioning prospects coming out of VMI (or any other school for that matter). Absolutely no impact whatsover.
 
kinnem said:
The key is he said minimums. Trust me. There will be plenty of challenges. If you're just doing the on paper minimums you're really not cutting it. Can't talk to the SMCs much but I think your guaranteed a commisioning. Check some other threads on the forum on this.

Also, did you mention your concern to the Lt.? Im sure he could have addrressed your concern if you had mentioned it. Speak up son!
Click to expand...

I did mention that I would probably show up for the daily PT even if I passed the APFT and got a puzzled reaction. I was pretty geeked about the military history-science stuff and was told that my enthusiasm would soon fade. I know I'm young, but I've wanted to do this for a long time. Maybe I should wrap back to him and give my impression? It sounded like commissioning is guaranteed if I keep the ROTC scholarship at the public college. Do I lose that guarantee if I go to a SMC without the ROTC scholarship?
 
solon said:
I did mention that I would probably show up for the daily PT even if I passed the APFT and got a puzzled reaction. I was pretty geeked about the military history-science stuff and was told that my enthusiasm would soon fade. I know I'm young, but I've wanted to do this for a long time. Maybe I should wrap back to him and give my impression? It sounded like commissioning is guaranteed if I keep the ROTC scholarship at the public college. Do I lose that guarantee if I go to a SMC without the ROTC scholarship?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go back to the ROTC folks. If you ultimately decide to go with that unit, you want to do so enthusiastically.

BTW, you are guaranteed, by law, a commission at the SMC as long as you meet requirements for commissioning and are a team player, etc. When I get more time, I plan to post some more about this on the following thread: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=21993&highlight=title. My advice to you is to go the SMC route, based on the tone of your questions. If it is really hard-core military experience you are seeking, VMI can definitely supply that.
 
solon said:
I don't want to blow it. It's an honor to get an ROTC scholarship. I know it will help me commission as an officer in the Army. With an open mind, I visited the school offered (its a good public school), and listened to a 2LT describe the minimum that will be required of me. If that's the bar, I may be in the wrong place. I really want a life changing challenge. If I go to VMI and can't transfer the scholarship, do I increase the risk that I won't be able to commission? I need to send in my acceptance letter tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Lots of great advice given here.

My only advice:

Be careful what you ask for, be sure what you want, don't have false illusions of what the "Harder Route" is like. SMC's will give you the edge with guaranteed AD but don't expect that just because you are at VMI you will receive training that will give you the upper edge, it still comes down to the individual.

ROTC is what you put into it not what the minimums are, that's true for either path you choose.

One ting you said struck me, you mentioned that you got a puzzled look when to said that you would still show up for daily PT even after you passed the APFT. Are you talking about the remedial PT or just PT in general. Your still required to attend the daily PT no matter what your score is, unless this battalion is completely different then most. Maybe that's why you got the puzzled look.

Good Luck.

Oh, accept the scholarship, you can decline it later in May, give yourself time to make a well informed decision.
 
Last edited:
Jcleppe said:
Lots of great advice given here.

"Are you talking about the remedial PT or just PT in general. Your still required to attend the daily PT no matter what your score is, unless this battalion is completely different then most. Maybe that's why you got the puzzled "

No daily PT required if I pass the APFT. Must show up once/week for regular. I work out 6-7 hours/week on my own right now to stay healthy. Not sure it's the "harder" part that appeals to me as much as the "excellent" part, i.e., expect more of me and see if I can deliver. Or that could just be the turkey talking now (!) I know it will all work out
Click to expand...
 
solon said:
Jcleppe said:
Lots of great advice given here.

"Are you talking about the remedial PT or just PT in general. Your still required to attend the daily PT no matter what your score is, unless this battalion is completely different then most. Maybe that's why you got the puzzled "

No daily PT required if I pass the APFT. Must show up once/week for regular. I work out 6-7 hours/week on my own right now to stay healthy. Not sure it's the "harder" part that appeals to me as much as the "excellent" part, i.e., expect more of me and see if I can deliver. Or that could just be the turkey talking now (!) I know it will all work out
Click to expand...
PT once per week? Then on your own, 6-7 hours per week? Geez, not to sound mean, but when did Powderpuff University start handing out ROTC scholarships? My DD, who's only a junior in HS works out more than that in her off-season . DS, who's an MS1 cadet would have you surpassed each week by noon on Monday. Read some of the threads about scholarship cadets that can't pass their AFPT, and then about the whole new tests that are coming.

BTW, DS and others if you read some other posts on SAF are near/at/above AFPT max scores, so it looks like there are some individuals out there looking to set the bar in terms of who might get AD when their time comes.
Click to expand...
 
Hey man, remember that you can always request that transfer of scholarship to VMI later on in March when CC comes and "checks up" on you. Accept that scholarship and solidify that spot, then request a transfer. Get in touch with Col. Wanovich at VMI, he should have some good advice for you!
 
Blake3348 said:
Hey man, remember that you can always request that transfer of scholarship to VMI later on in March when CC comes and "checks up" on you. Accept that scholarship and solidify that spot, then request a transfer. Get in touch with Col. Wanovich at VMI, he should have some good advice for you!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the contact at VMI. I'm going to call him on Monday. It just seems like such a long shot (transfer) based on what I've read here. I needed to make peace with this ROTC scholarship at that school anyway. What if this is where I need to be? Good experience for me. Also, DD was impressed with said open mindedness. There seems to be a greater willingness to consider VMI. Thanks for the encouragement Blake!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top