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bradster1993

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
38
Hello forum! I remember two years ago I found out about this website. I was kind of hesitant to post anything but boy I am sure glad I did. I was told that my application would be kind of weak so I got discouraged but, I tried even harder then I have ever done before and it paid off. It just shows that if you really put your mind to it that you can be successful. I came here looking for guidance on my future in the military as an officer. I received more off of this website then I had ever hoped for :smile:. I have told countless people at my school that are thinking about going in as an officer to join this forum and get the great advice I had here. It has proven to be invaluable in my efforts to receive a commission. This year has been full of ups and downs throughout this process. I came out of the hard fought year with a NROTC tier 3 (originally to an in-state school then transferred to private university successfully), AROTC (#1 in-state school), and AFROTC (3 year OOS) scholarships. I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished and am completely grateful to this forum for everything the people on here have done for me.

High school juniors listen up (read up actually). I was told by numerous people at my school and here on this very forum that I might not receive any scholarships. I did 4-years of NJROTC and the Area Manager said right to my face that I was toast and that I had no chance of winning a tier 3 scholarship with my stats. Not only did I receive the Navy one but the others as well. I received my Navy scholarship a month after he told me that. It was still very early in the game and I did not expect to be awarded a scholarship in September but it happened! My M+CR SAT scores were a total of 1200, not that great. Just remember that if somebody tells you that you are "toast" then prove them wrong and reach for the stars.

With that being said, I have one final question for you. I have to decide between taking a NROTC scholarship to Jacksonville University, AROTC to Appalachian State, and the AFROTC to USC-Columbia. I am honestly leaning towards the NROTC one right now just from the shear fact that I will incur absolutely no debt upon graduation. Can you guys give me any knowledge on the three schools I listed? I want to know things such as unit size, if the unit is a big part of the university, and what incentives I receive for attending there with a ROTC scholarship. Thank you.

Sincerely,

One Extremely Grateful High School Senior
 
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Hello forum! I remember two years ago I found out about this website. I was kind of hesitant to post anything but boy I am sure glad I did. I was told that my application would be kind of weak so I got discouraged but, I tried even harder then I have ever done before and it paid off. It just shows that if you really put your mind to it that you can be successful. I came here looking for guidance on my future in the military as an officer. I received more off of this website then I had ever hoped for :smile:. I have told countless people at my school that are thinking about going in as an officer to join this forum and get the great advice I had here. It has proven to be invaluable in my efforts to receive a commission. This year has been full of ups and downs throughout this process. I came out of the hard fought year with a NROTC tier 3 (originally to an in-state school then transferred to private university successfully), AROTC (#1 in-state school), and AFROTC (3 year OOS) scholarships. I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished and am completely grateful to this forum for everything the people on here have done for me.

High school juniors listen up (read up actually). I was told by numerous people at my school and here on this very forum that I might not receive any scholarships. I did 4-years of NJROTC and the Area Manager said right to my face that I was toast and that I had no chance of winning a tier 3 scholarship with my stats. Not only did I receive the Navy one but the others as well. I received my Navy scholarship a month after he told me that. It was still very early in the game and I did not expect to be awarded a scholarship in September but it happened! My M+CR SAT scores were a total of 1200, not that great. Just remember that if somebody tells you that you are "toast" then prove them wrong and reach for the stars.

With that being said, I have one final question for you. I have to decide between taking a NROTC scholarship to Jacksonville University, AROTC to Appalachian State, and the AFROTC to USC-Columbia. I am honestly leaning towards the NROTC one right now just from the shear fact that I will incur absolutely no debt upon graduation. Can you guys give me any knowledge on the three schools I listed? I want to know things such as unit size, if the unit is a big part of the university, and what incentives I receive for attending there with a ROTC scholarship. Thank you.

Sincerely,

One Extremely Grateful High School Senior

Wish I could help you with the schools. I'm familiar with App but not with the unit. However, I think you need to consider a different approach to your decision. Do you want to fly fixed wing? Then its AF or Navy. Helos? Army or Navy. Attack sub? Navy only. Think about how you want to serve, tempered with the finances. Remember, you'll graduate with a job in hand. Of course you don't want to be in debt up to your eyeballs either.
 
Thanks for the quick reply! I honestly would be happy with flying a fixed wing or helo. For that matter I would be happy doing almost anything as long as I'm commissioned although flying fixed wing is the best case scenario.
 
since you like fixed wing, then NROTC or AFROTC. Since Navy is paying everything and AF isn't, let your wallet vote!
 
Thanks for the quick reply! I honestly would be happy with flying a fixed wing or helo. For that matter I would be happy doing almost anything as long as I'm commissioned although flying fixed wing is the best case scenario.

Also, as some other folks here would tell you, what if you don't get to fly for some reason? What's your backup plan then? What else would you be willing to do in that service? Could you live aboard a destroyer if you had to? Could you jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Would you be happy being in charge of aircraft maintenance? What about the motor pool? To quote IBM's motto, "THINK". You always need a plan B at every stage of your career.
 
Yes exactly! One reason I am highly considering Jacksonville is I can get a minor in Aviation Management and Operations (I would receive private pilots license I think) along with my major in Business Administration which I hope would give me a significant edge in getting that fixed wing spot in the Navy
 
Well, there you go. Also has a plan B in there and it already sounds like your heart is there. Have you visited the school? How do you like it? What did you think of the unit?

BTW, App is at a small town in the mountains. Jacksonville is a big city. Dies it make a difference to you?
 
@kinnem I believe I would be happy to do anything in the Navy all the way down to flying a desk. Whatever service selection I get I will be happy I know that for a fact. If by some reason I am not happy with what I get then I will still know that there is a life after the military where I can do whatever I want with it.
 
@kinnem I have not visited the school yet however I am trying to organize a private flight down to Jacksonville (Stepdads uncle has his PPL). I have visited App and their unit three times I love the mountains but I also love big cities and everything they have to offer. So I would be happy in either.
 
Good luck Bradster. Let us know what you decide.
 
I think it is really important to visit Jacksonville.

The fastest way to lose a scholarship or not get commissioned is from the academic perspective.

ROTC will take up a chunk of your life, but so will college life. You need to attend a college that gives you a blended balance of each part.

Like the college, okay with the unit, it will be an issue. Like the unit, okay with the college it will be an issue too.

From a ROTC perspective, each and every unit has their own personality too. ROTC units are family, and part of a larger family (branch). Look at your aunts and uncles, they all get along, but I bet they raised your cousins differently than your folks raised you. That is what ROTC is like...member of a family raising their own children.
 
@Pima I haven't completely decided on Jacksonville yet. The visit down there will most likely determine where I end up. I know I will be spending the next four years at wherever I pick so I am doing my best to put every possible issue into consideration.

I have another question about majors and minors in college? From what I can gather it is more effective to just go ahead a double major. Although I am thinking at how challenging that would be with my NROTC time and school time needed to be successful at both. So is double majoring in Business Administration and Aviation Management and Operations worth all the extra work? Jacksonville has their own "Navy/Marine Corps" Aviation Management degree. That is why I am really wanting to take advantage of that.

Check out the website at-

http://aviation.ju.edu/AcademicPrograms/AviationManagementandFlightOperations/MilitaryNavyTrack.aspx
 
@Pima I haven't completely decided on Jacksonville yet. The visit down there will most likely determine where I end up. I know I will be spending the next four years at wherever I pick so I am doing my best to put every possible issue into consideration.

I have another question about majors and minors in college? From what I can gather it is more effective to just go ahead a double major. Although I am thinking at how challenging that would be with my NROTC time and school time needed to be successful at both. So is double majoring in Business Administration and Aviation Management and Operations worth all the extra work? Jacksonville has their own "Navy/Marine Corps" Aviation Management degree. That is why I am really wanting to take advantage of that.

Check out the website at-

http://aviation.ju.edu/AcademicPrograms/AviationManagementandFlightOperations/MilitaryNavyTrack.aspx

On the surface, since they seem to have this planned out with NROTC in mind, i would say that with hard work and diligence it must be doable. But I expect its very very demanding. I would ask a bunch of questions about this program when you visit the school and the unit. I would try to talk to some midshipmen who are participating in the program. Is be curious what percentage of midshipmen are participating. Frankly this program seems amazing to me. Almost too good to be true.
 
So the plan is to major in Business Admin. and either major or minor in Avaiation Mgmt/Ops... right?

Here's the way I would look at it:

1) How many extra classes do you have to have to go from a major to a minor? Is it 2 classes or 12? If you're almost there with a minor, it might be very feasible to pick up those last couple of classes.

NOTE: there may come a time long about your senior year when you're really, really sick of school and you're tempted to change your mind just to "be done". I remember this time very well. I'm telling you now - DON'T DO IT!! Stick it out!! Yes, it will stink on ice, but you won't be sorry later! :smile:


2) How much difference will it make for your marketability in a job search?

Whether or not to pick up the major instead of the minor will probably depend on what you'd like to ultimately use your degree for. If you're looking to be in business, and the avaiation ops minor would enhance your business degree, then I would say the minor would do just fine. If you're looking to primarily be in avaition, and the business degree will give you mgmt direction, then I would double major.

There's 2 cents from a former college admissions counselor! Good luck!!
 
Grades grades grades. If your grades aren't up to snuff you will not get your first choice of assignments and stand the chance of losing your scholarship. Be very careful not to bite off more than you can chew. It is very easy to say, as a high school student, that you want to double major, it may or may not be easy to succeed when you actually get to school and start to do the work. Lot's of kids struggle their first year, just be prepared to work your butt off either way.

Good Luck!!!
 
One last thing to consider:

IF you

-decide you don't want to stay in ROTC, or
- if you are injured or something is uncovered or develops health-wise in a way that DQs you from military service, or
- if you do something stupid (like getting arrested at an off-campus party where drugs are being passed around), or get an open container ticket, or a speeding ticket > $250.00 fine, which gets you booted from ROTC,

then can you afford to pay for each of the three without the ROTC scholarship?
 
I believe I have decided on pursuing the Aviation Management and Operations degree. With it having all of the perks of flying in college along with the valuable business classes it is just so much of a good deal I can't pass up on it. A double major might not be all that difficult considering much of the classes overlap. I will just have to ask my academic adviser if it is feasible when I go for my visit.

@dunninla I do not think any of those three issues will be a problem for me. My dad was a Marine Corps Drill Instructor and I have done four years in my schools NJROTC program. I am most definitely sure that NROTC is what I want to do in college. I will not ever get caught drinking under age or doing drugs. I know that if I slip up a single time (even a speeding ticket) then I could possibly be done. The military is getting smaller and they are looking for every possible reason to disqualify someone so I am not going to do anything like that. The only thing i could even remotely foresee being a problem would be a medical problem that develops. I have not even been to a doctor in over seven years and the last time I went was for asthma (I am medically qualified through DODMERB). I haven't even broke a bone in my life so my body is in pretty good shape.

@kinnem I have researched it a little more and I must agree. I am a little skeptical about the program but not enough to deter me from visiting. If it turns out to be what I hope it is then I am going to be one very happy camper. Much of the classes overlap with the NROTC curriculum possibly making it even easier to double major if I decided I wanted to do that.

If I decided to double major would the Navy pay for the extra classes involved? Or would that come out of my pocket?
 
I'm not sure what NROTC would cover. If you can do it in 4 you might be OK but any costs beyond tuition would be on your dime. Ask the unit while your there. Presumably they're familiar with the program. I'm sure your not the first to be interested in it. Good luck on your visit.
 
Thanks! I just thought of this possible problem. Since I received a Tier 3 scholarship I can pretty much do whatever I want with it correct? So me switching to just the Aviation degree won't be a problem? They will pay all the tuition and fees associated with the classes right?
 
You still have to get permission to change majors. It's normally not an issue within a tier but...

Also, its not clear to me they will pay all fees. They'll pay normal fees to attend the school, but I don't know about special fees for this major. I expect there must be additional fees for fuel, maintenance, equipment, etc. but I'm just guessing. You really need to ask the unit or cadet command.
 
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