Summer xROTC updates

kinnem

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We had a thread along these lines at Christmas so I thought I would start another to post spring semester accomplishments and updates on summer activities.

DS had a great spring semester. His drill team came in 2nd overall at Mardi Gras drill meet and first overall at the Beale Street drill meet. Join the Navy, see the world, or portions of US at least for now. He finally got his perfect 300 Marine PFT score and also won the Fittest Midshipman competition at his Battalion. He said he smoked the nearest competitor by 30 seconds. He also received the Robert E. "Rusty" Mozo scholarship at his Tri-Service awards ceremony. Rusty was a career Naval Aviator and a prior member of the battalion who passed away late last year. We don't know the details but I imagine its a small one time award. We're grateful for the recognition. DS is pumped!

We don't know his grades yet but we're hoping for a 3.5 this semester. Now if only he can get his NROTC scholarship application in on time next year.

Looks like summer employment is only part time as a Y day camp counselor. Hoping it can go to full time if they have more sign ups, or maybe an additional part time job.
Of course there is always mowing my lawn.

Can't wait to have him home so we can catch up on Fringe.

I hope everyone participating in summer training learns a lot while having a great time. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to spending some quality time at home with family.
 
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Nice to hear an update, Kinnem! It sounds like your DS has had a very successful year! Good luck on the scholarship for next year.

My DS is finishing up his first year as a Marine Option Midshipman at CU-Boulder. He's taken full advantage of all the battalion has offered him, and he has grown and matured in so many ways. He was a squad leader on the competitive drill team. They spent many hours practicing for the CU Drill Meet only to have it cancelled at the last minute because no other teams entered the competition! I have the distinct impression that elevation played a big part - the CU team has the advantage over teams from sea level! He was bummed. Hopeful that next year they can travel to a drill meet or at least have a competition in Boulder.

I happened to be in Boulder on Thursday (looking at housing options for next year), when my son informed me that he had to pick up his SDB's from the dry cleaner to attend the Tri-Mil Awards that same afternoon. "Oh, and by the way, Mom...I guess I'm getting an award." Needless to say, I hung around and attended the Awards. My first impression was how amazing all the ROTC kids are. It was awesome to see all the different branches represented. My DS was awarded the Captain Robert Long Memorial Scholarship (he was killed in a AWAC crash in Alaska in 1995). Not sure of the details, but DS was very thankful and humbled to be chosen to receive the award.

He has maintained a 3.7 GPA...it wasn't easy, but all the hard work really does payoff. In January he received a $2000 Navy Stripe Scholarship for academics. The additional monies are a blessing - it's near impossible to have a job with school and ROTC commitments.


Next on his schedule is to get through finals and then prepare to leave for CORTRAMID. He is EXTREMELY excited. I am sure it will be an awesome experience. We are very anxious to hear what his thoughts are about it when he returns home. He will spend what remains of his summer working on DH's drilling rig before he heads back to Boulder to participate in Orientation for the incoming midshipmen.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the updates on these forums, and I am constantly in awe of the young men and women that want to serve our great country. Good Luck and God Speed to all!
 
Sounds like another successful freshman year. Thanks for the update enived2. I too enjoy reading then.

Wow! Working a drilling rig! That's awesome!
 
My son is wrapping up his junior year (2nd class) at VMI - NROTC scholarship.
6 went down to Norfolk last week - to pass the qualifications for avaition Physiogly (bad speller) - swimming test,etc - so now we are just waiting for 1st class summer assignment. My son informed me it was the same stuff he passsed during his 1st summer, but has to requalify every 18months I think he said. After freshman (RAT) year - all went to CORDAMID -for most of my group that was Norflk (our year it was either Norfolk or San Diego - depending on your home of record) but for 1st class summer my son has continued to be told they (powers that be) try to place them in their 1st choice - avaition is his - so we wait for word.
This is lived up to grueling semester - ME - 19+ hours - so am relieved its almost behind him. All my neanderthols are looking forward to their training, my marines are going to Quantico, most of my army guys are heading out to FT Lewis for their 1 class summer training. They will all be back in mid august to the Institute - to pick up their respective duties as 1st classman - I was prepared, but still the time is flying by -
I too enjoy reading others journeys so thanks for updates -enjoy those preicous days at home, they are few and far between. larry's mom
 
I really enjoy reading the updates and hope this thread continues to grow. My DS's journey will begin this fall as a freshman in AFROTC at the University of Kentucky. I hope to be apart of the update threads after his first semester. Glad to see all the updates so far being so positive.
 
Great to hear about all of the accomplishments of the mids at their various units and schools. My DS attends Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where has been focused on math and science studies this year with a recently declared Physics major(the long term goal is to be selected for the nuclear SWO program). Solid first semester GPA of 3.4 with a target of 3.5 or better for the current semester to achieve Dean's list status. Had the opportunity to learn the basics of sailing from unit instructors while navigating various New England waterways. He was able to squeeze in playing on the school's club ice hockey team during the fall/winter seasons and has moved on to play for the club golf team this spring. In early April, 012, the unit conducted the "Presidents Review" which recognizes the accomplishments of the mids in the program. Impressive ceremony with some really precise drill work. Also they gave out the coolest item for recognition I have ever seen. Several of the seniors received engraved swords as acknowledgement of their success within the unit/school. DS received a plaque recognizing the Mid/4 with the highest military aptitude. Proud moment for his retired USM grandfather who was in attendance. Summer plans - paid internship in the Physics dept. at HC, CORTRAMID in Norfolk,VA for month of July, short family vacation to PEI in mid-August then back to prepare for the fall semester at HC.
 
Great to hear about all of the accomplishments of the mids at their various units and schools. My DS attends Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where has been focused on math and science studies this year with a recently declared Physics major(the long term goal is to be selected for the nuclear SWO program). Solid first semester GPA of 3.4 with a target of 3.5 or better for the current semester to achieve Dean's list status. Had the opportunity to learn the basics of sailing from unit instructors while navigating various New England waterways. He was able to squeeze in playing on the school's club ice hockey team during the fall/winter seasons and has moved on to play for the club golf team this spring. In early April, 012, the unit conducted the "Presidents Review" which recognizes the accomplishments of the mids in the program. Impressive ceremony with some really precise drill work. Also they gave out the coolest item for recognition I have ever seen. Several of the seniors received engraved swords as acknowledgement of their success within the unit/school. DS received a plaque recognizing the Mid/4 with the highest military aptitude. Proud moment for his retired USM grandfather who was in attendance. Summer plans - paid internship in the Physics dept. at HC, CORTRAMID in Norfolk,VA for month of July, short family vacation to PEI in mid-August then back to prepare for the fall semester at HC.

Congratulations to your son! That's quite an accomplishment and I'm glad grandad was there for it. Also, between hocky and golf it seems like your son needs some kind of stick in his hands! :wink:
 
Never thought of it like that but you make an interesting point - he also played baseball, soccer and lacrosse growing up -2 out of 3 "stick & ball" sports. The real challenge will be how his 6'5" frame fits in that sub during CORTRAMID. Just another step in the naval journey.
 
Sounds like some exciting times for our cadets this summer, congratulations are in order for a great year for all of them.

Summer looks to be busy for my two cadets, well actually only on will still be a cadet.

Older son is graduating/commissioning May 11th. Younger so gets to do the color guard for graduation which will be nice.

Older son will be going to Ft. Rucker Alabama for Aviation BOLC and Flight School, he was originally due to report June 24th. The date was moved up to June 10th and we found out today that he needs to check in on June 1st, he will only have 11 days home after graduation before he starts the drive from Seattle to Alabama, he would have liked a bit more time to decompress a bit after school but is still excited to get started. So I guess his summer job is set.

Younger son will be leaving June 15th for CULP in Bosnia and will return home July 16th, sort of messes up any chance of a summer job so I guess he gets to help good ol'e Dad.
First year of school went well, was on the Ranger Challenge A team and won 1st, Color Guard, and enjoyed all things ROTC. He was active in his Fraternity and was elected a Student Body Senator for next year. Next year will be busy.

The first couple weeks after school will sure be busy around our place, we'll get to catch our breath a bit once older son is gone and younger son is off to CULP, of course we'll miss them as soon as they're gone as usual.

Good luck to all the cadets this summer.
 
Sounds like some exciting times for our cadets this summer, congratulations are in order for a great year for all of them.

Summer looks to be busy for my two cadets, well actually only on will still be a cadet.

Older son is graduating/commissioning May 11th. Younger so gets to do the color guard for graduation which will be nice.

Older son will be going to Ft. Rucker Alabama for Aviation BOLC and Flight School, he was originally due to report June 24th. The date was moved up to June 10th and we found out today that he needs to check in on June 1st, he will only have 11 days home after graduation before he starts the drive from Seattle to Alabama, he would have liked a bit more time to decompress a bit after school but is still excited to get started. So I guess his summer job is set.

Younger son will be leaving June 15th for CULP in Bosnia and will return home July 16th, sort of messes up any chance of a summer job so I guess he gets to help good ol'e Dad.
First year of school went well, was on the Ranger Challenge A team and won 1st, Color Guard, and enjoyed all things ROTC. He was active in his Fraternity and was elected a Student Body Senator for next year. Next year will be busy.

The first couple weeks after school will sure be busy around our place, we'll get to catch our breath a bit once older son is gone and younger son is off to CULP, of course we'll miss them as soon as they're gone as usual.

Good luck to all the cadets this summer.

Hi Jcleppe. I know you are so proud of both your sons. Don't know about you but I think I would need tissues for the graduation and commissioning. It's great that younger son is part of the honor guard. That's awesome. I'm sure he's excited and will learn a lot on his CULP trip. I know y'all will have a great time together, however short. :thumb:
 
My son's MS I year essentially wrapped up today with the end of the year award ceremony, which I was lucky to attend. He was awarded the MS I Physical Profiency Award for having the highest pt score (328), and the MS I Superior Cadet Award. It was a great ending to a fantastic first year in ROTC.
The highlights of his year -
*He joined ROTC as a non-scholarship cadet and was awarded a campus-based 4-yr scholarship
*He was a member of the Ranger Challenge team that placed 3rd in their brigade
*He went to Ft. Benning and competed in the All-Army Small Arms National Championships and placed in the top 20
*He was selected for The CULP program and is going to the Marshall Islands in July
*He and 3 other cadets competed in the brigade Best Ranger Competition and both 2-man teams placed in the top 5 of 26 teams
*He has a leadership position in the battalion both this semester and next fall.
*He made Dean's List in the fall with a 4.0 gpa, and is on track to get a 4.0 for spring.

All in all, I'd say he knocked it out of the park. I'm constantly amazed by the opportunities these kids have, and cannot wait to see what comes next!
 
My son's MS I year essentially wrapped up today with the end of the year award ceremony, which I was lucky to attend. He was awarded the MS I Physical Profiency Award for having the highest pt score (328), and the MS I Superior Cadet Award. It was a great ending to a fantastic first year in ROTC.
The highlights of his year -
*He joined ROTC as a non-scholarship cadet and was awarded a campus-based 4-yr scholarship
*He was a member of the Ranger Challenge team that placed 3rd in their brigade
*He went to Ft. Benning and competed in the All-Army Small Arms National Championships and placed in the top 20
*He was selected for The CULP program and is going to the Marshall Islands in July
*He and 3 other cadets competed in the brigade Best Ranger Competition and both 2-man teams placed in the top 5 of 26 teams
*He has a leadership position in the battalion both this semester and next fall.
*He made Dean's List in the fall with a 4.0 gpa, and is on track to get a 4.0 for spring.

All in all, I'd say he knocked it out of the park. I'm constantly amazed by the opportunities these kids have, and cannot wait to see what comes next!

That's awesome! I'd say he knocked it out of the country! Perhaps all the way to the Marshall Islands! Tough Duty! Congratulations to your DS.
 
My son's MS I year essentially wrapped up today with the end of the year award ceremony, which I was lucky to attend. He was awarded the MS I Physical Profiency Award for having the highest pt score (328), and the MS I Superior Cadet Award. It was a great ending to a fantastic first year in ROTC.
The highlights of his year -
*He joined ROTC as a non-scholarship cadet and was awarded a campus-based 4-yr scholarship
*He was a member of the Ranger Challenge team that placed 3rd in their brigade
*He went to Ft. Benning and competed in the All-Army Small Arms National Championships and placed in the top 20
*He was selected for The CULP program and is going to the Marshall Islands in July
*He and 3 other cadets competed in the brigade Best Ranger Competition and both 2-man teams placed in the top 5 of 26 teams
*He has a leadership position in the battalion both this semester and next fall.
*He made Dean's List in the fall with a 4.0 gpa, and is on track to get a 4.0 for spring.

Not bad...not bad at all!
 
Congratulations Jcc123. Hard work and excellance has been rewarded. I hope you stick around the forum so we can see where your son ends up. Inspirational!
 
Hope no one minds if I jump in - sounds like everyone is doing well and has some great things planned for the summer! My son is in NROTC in the MIT unit as a freshman and really enjoying it. He was excited in January to be the first 4/c to be named "Midshipman of the Month" from their battalion (I swore I was going to get a bumper sticker made up that said "My son was Middie of the Month at MIT!" :biggrin: ). Just found out this week that next fall he'll be a squad leader and the Battalion PT Officer (meaning he's responsible for running all the workouts for the semester). He also pulled a 3.5/4.0 last semester, which he was darn proud of considering the college! :wink: And just declared his major of Chem Engineering this week.

This summer he'll spend first block (heading out after his last final on May 24) in San Diego for Cortramid. He's also tall (6'3) but really planning on going into Subs so we'll see if a week of that changes his mind! After that he has a couple weeks leave, then a 60 day internship at the NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration) http://nnsa.energy.gov/ in Las Vegas - he'll live at the AF Base there and they're getting him a car for transportation. Thinking of trying to plan a trip out there since we've never been to Vegas!

Looking forward to hearing more of the great opportunities/achievements of these ROTC cadets/mids!
 
Hope no one minds if I jump in - sounds like everyone is doing well and has some great things planned for the summer! My son is in NROTC in the MIT unit as a freshman and really enjoying it. He was excited in January to be the first 4/c to be named "Midshipman of the Month" from their battalion (I swore I was going to get a bumper sticker made up that said "My son was Middie of the Month at MIT!" :biggrin: ). Just found out this week that next fall he'll be a squad leader and the Battalion PT Officer (meaning he's responsible for running all the workouts for the semester). He also pulled a 3.5/4.0 last semester, which he was darn proud of considering the college! :wink: And just declared his major of Chem Engineering this week.

This summer he'll spend first block (heading out after his last final on May 24) in San Diego for Cortramid. He's also tall (6'3) but really planning on going into Subs so we'll see if a week of that changes his mind! After that he has a couple weeks leave, then a 60 day internship at the NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration) http://nnsa.energy.gov/ in Las Vegas - he'll live at the AF Base there and they're getting him a car for transportation. Thinking of trying to plan a trip out there since we've never been to Vegas!

Looking forward to hearing more of the great opportunities/achievements of these ROTC cadets/mids!

Congrats to your DS. Those are great accomplishments. Also having two billets is quite a recognition and responsibility. NROTC will be keeping him very busy next semester. Squad leader alone takes a fair amount of time passing word up and down the chain, counseling, etc. Also hell of an internship. How did he land that gig?

If you ever do get that bumper sticker let me know because I'll have to then get "My Fittest MIDN beat up your MIDN of the month" :biggrin:
 
Congrats to your DS. Those are great accomplishments. Also having two billets is quite a recognition and responsibility. NROTC will be keeping him very busy next semester. Squad leader alone takes a fair amount of time passing word up and down the chain, counseling, etc. Also hell of an internship. How did he land that gig?

If you ever do get that bumper sticker let me know because I'll have to then get "My Fittest MIDN beat up your MIDN of the month" :biggrin:

Still getting used to some of these Navy terms - in the Army a billet was a place (ie where you would live), not a job! :wink: DS says that squad leader is a billet; PTO is an additional duty (but one that takes a lot of work!). And maybe after a semester of it he can take on your Fittest MIDN!? :thumb:

As far as the internship - direct quote from an email from my son in early March: "MY NEW INTERNSHIP LOOKING STRATEGY: Talk to the CO, get points of contact, then go poking my nose where 4/C shouldn't poke their nose until someone realizes I am serious." :shake: Evidently it worked for him.

Edited to add - this is the link to the actual group he'll be working with under the NNSA: https://www.jieddo.dod.mil/index.aspx Doesn't look like it'll be a boring desk job at least, does it? ;)
 
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Thanks for the info marciemi. I'll have to suggest that approach to my DS.
 
Just got off the phone with AROTC MS I DS. He called to express disappointment at not winning Cadet of the Semester, and therefore, having no shot at cadet of the year. He bemoaned the fact that the difference was that he did not address the cadets administering the test by their proper ranks.

Pre-ROTC DS would have stewed over this for hours, if not days. He would have made it his life's mission to fight this "injustice", with no regard for collateral damage, including to himself.

My happy story is that he only complained for about one minute, before saying that he is happy for the kid who won, because he is a really hard worker and they have a lot of respect for one another. (Translation: I'm smarter and run faster, but he deserves the award more than I because he earned it.) He is definitely benefitting from quality of those who surround him. This is a whole new thing for DW and me.

Along those same lines, he also asked if we could pick him up several days after dorm evacuation day because he wants to stay for the battalion's commissioning ceremony. He asked us to come so we can meet his cadre (if that is the right term).

He is definitely ready for school to end. He is tired of it, but said that ROTC has been the best part of his college experience. It sounded like it made the year bearable if not enjoyable. For him, 6:30 AM ruck marches and PT were a great counterpoint to the skull-hammering tedium of physics and organic chemistry. Nighttime land nav is fun. Writing mathematical proofs is not.

Bottomline, it has been a great year in ways that he doesn't yet even understand. He is discovering that the universe doesn't revolve around him...all the time.

I told myself I wouldn't do this but here it goes anyway. When DS went in for his Project Go physical, MD discovered a cyst which will be biopsied tomorrow. MD said she didn't like it. I told him not to read anything into that statement. It's her job to dislike all medical abnormalities. Haven't researched it, consulted MD friends or mentioned it to anyone. We'll wait for the test results. There is too much to be grateful for to kill the buzz worrying about things we can't control at this point.
 
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