Advice for Possible Transfer from NROTC

RedOctober

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Feb 17, 2016
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I just found out I got accepted to USNA after not making it last year. This time last year I would have taken it in a heartbeat. But now, I'm not so sure... I'm at an extremely competitive college with an amazing NROTC program, and I love it. I've made a lot of great friends. I'm just not sure about going to USNA.

Anyone else who has been in this position have any advice?
 
Ask yourself what is your primary objective?

If #1 is to become a US Naval/Marine officer in the shortest time possible, then stay put.

If #1 is to have USNA on your resume, then you know what to do.

I asked my DS who is in his first scholarship year at Army ROTC, if he wanted to reapply to USNA and/or USMA and he said, "No. Why take five years to become an officer when I can do it in four?"
 
Another question to ask yourself is

"Why did I apply again?"

You went through the entire application process, the nom process, etc - all while in your first semester at college with the added stress/time-suck of NROTC. That's a lot of hard work!

Edit: Congrats, by the way! And I wish you all the best in whichever path you choose! :)
 
I just found out I got accepted to USNA after not making it last year. This time last year I would have taken it in a heartbeat. But now, I'm not so sure... I'm at an extremely competitive college with an amazing NROTC program, and I love it. I've made a lot of great friends. I'm just not sure about going to USNA.

Anyone else who has been in this position have any advice?

From your entry it sounds like you made your decision! Words like, "amazing NROTC program, I love it, made a lot of great friends, and I'm not sure" describe how you really feel about where you are now! You will always feel the "what if's" occasionally, write up a pro's and con's list and see where it takes you!

GOOD LUCK AND GO NAVY!
 
I am in EXACTLY the same position. I love my unit and my friends at my college so so so much, but the Academy is something I've wished for for so long. It sounds cheesy but my heart is just drawn there. I feel like an education at the Academy could make me into an amazing officer with qualities I couldn't necessarily get through ROTC. It's going to be an incredibly hard decision to stay at my unit or to go to the Academy. It's beyond comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this decision!
 
First...there is no wrong decision. Obviously, you are in a great position...but with a tough decision. You really should weigh all of the pros and cons (structured lifestyle vs. little more relaxed lifestyle, 4 vs. 5 years, service assignment opportunities, etc.) and then go with your heart and instinct. I don't think there is a better method. If any of your NROTC instructors are from either accession source...talk to them and try to get their honest opinions (not just defending their own source)...they have been in the Fleet and might be able to add some value. Your parents can be a good sounding board or might even be able to provide a different perspective.

***Edit: I will add that you, obviously, will still be friends with those in your NROTC unit if you accept an appointment. However, just like in the military, you will move commands every few years and be physically separated from the friends you have just made....the good news....you move to a new command and make new friends. So while, I know leaving good friends is difficult, eventually you will encounter this kind of thing. I wouldn't let that be the sole reason.
 
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This is a tough one. I had a long chat with my friend's sponsor Mid this weekend who was NROTC for a year before USNA. I asked him why he switched. For him it was about wanting more training opportunities, more exposure to various officers, more leadership opportunities. His unit was considered large, but it was nearly half the size of a USNA company. Also with USNA summer training having more robust options, he felt his summer exposure would have more chances. He also decided he wanted to be surrounded by like-minded folks with the same goal the entire time, just not when in lab or at training. He also felt like he would be confident in his rankings for service assignment. He is really open to the options to include USMC, and staying NROTC really forced him down one path. He also was excited for things like internships sponsored by the Navy, Leatherneck and Powered Flight (he thinks he really wants to fly and sees this a great chance to test that... same thought with Marine Corps). I think this is totally a personal choice. Sure you will have a step up on the direct folks as you have an extra year of maturity, college level classes, military exposure. It really matters what your goals are, financial situation, scholarship vs non-scholarship (obviously extra risk here if not on scholarship or received advanced standing yet as this is a guaranteed path to commission). If you are happy where you are at, what is missing? What do you think USNA will provide that you are missing? Are you okay with the Plebe year restrictions after having so much freedom for a year?
 
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