Your thoughts on USMAPS and turning down ROTC

First let me say this; my son makes his own decisions and I don't/won't try to form his opinion but...he always wants to know what I would do in a given situation and, he'll definitely ask with this one! I want to be as informed and objective as I can be on facts and discuss the obvious variables that life brings with hard decisions!

The new situation is this:

He received his NROTC-Marine Corps scholarship for The Citadel, VMI or Virginia Tech earlier today. He's wanted the USMC and his Captain told him that he's been under many USMC Officers that went to West Point and he had no problem with him (son) staying with USMAPS now. Factor in my USMC enlistment a hundred years ago, and one of his favorite NJROTC teachers/mentors is a USMC Gunner (retired, 30 years, drill instructor to WO-4). He also has his AROTC scholarship at The Citadel with academic acceptance there, and obviously an Appointment for USMAPS. He has visited The Citadel and loved the school on a pre-Knob and has a few buddies there now on his facebook. Though he's never been to West Point yet, he will be there in a few weeks for an overnight, he did go to NASS and "loved the academy academic and military atmosphere" his words. Unfortunately he received the thin letter from Annapolis and his Color Vision waiver didn't come through.

The Army has be rock solid with him throughout the whole application process and were the easiest branch to work with, the Navy (USNA) seemed to be the hardest after the NASS trip. West Point has been outstanding and his MALO calls him all the time and has never been off on any of his advice.

The big question is: USMAPS or 2 ROTC scholarships. Understand that he realizes that situations change (I'm sure he does and we'll re-visit that issue) and it's really only up to him but, what are the hard numbers on a USMAPS motivated student, moving on to West Point. His number one goal is to become a career military officer. Trust me, we've had the discussions about going to a local school and doing the required courses with AROTC for another go at West Point or how great it would be to go to The Citadel as either Army or Marine Corps.

Let me focus on the question again after my rambling all over the place post, what are the percentages of motivated qualified USMAPS Students that move on to West Point?

Personally, for the conversation here, USMAPS would be my choice ~if it were my decision, and my life.

With all that said, I'm sure this whole discussion will be moot after he gets back from the West Point overnight trip and then a week at USMAPS.

USMAPS, hands down. as long as he can maintain a B average and stay out of legal trouble while there he will move on to WP. USMAPS candidates, along with Civil Prep Candidates are not competing for an appointment with the national pool. If USMA is what he wants that is his ticket in, plus it will give him an extra year of maturity and get over the home sickness that he will have to deal with the first year. My son is now a plebe at WP, after completing a year in Civil Prep, he says that he does not think he would have survived this year without his hellish year at MMI.

If your son absolutely wants to be a Cadet at West Point this is a no brainer - he chooses USMAPS.
Every single USMAPS CC who is motivated moves on to West Point. Every single one. If you fit into the military environment and are cut out for the Army and pass your classes, apply for a nomination then you win an appointment.

There are so many benefits to a USMAPS appointment. Many kids accept prep appointments reluctantly, however soon after they begin I have heard many say they were glad to have it.
Go visit West Point - you will be welcomed into the Army family with open arms. The visit should give your son the answer that he is looking for.

If your son wants to be a Marine Officer then he takes the NROTC-MC scholarship. Neither is a bad choice.

There are USMAPS CC's who do not move onto West Point and those who do who do not graduate. A fair number are those who are prior service and more than a few combat veterans. Some of those will find the rigors of the academics not worth it and go back to the enlisted ranks. Some will leave the Army altogether if their enlistment is up. I think this skews the numbers a bit. The kids I know who went to USMAPS from high school did well and did well at West Point.

After my sons dreaded calculus homework this evening, we talked...very off the cuff and casual.

[paraphrase] Dad, I'm going to continue on with the USMAPS Appointment and then West Point. I'll tell the Captain (USMC) my decision tomorrow.... (best part coming)....so that someone else can take that spot and not have to wait.

I didn't even have to help! Thank goodness!

Sorry for the questions tonight, I was really worried that he was going to ask me what I thought he should do, and I didn't want to make any mistakes on the percentages of the USMAPS success rates. I kind of knew that if a CC worked hard, he'd make it through and continue on to West Point.

Again, thank you for the council.

Maximus said:

...so that someone else can take that spot and not have to wait.

Click to expand...

ROTC scholarships don't work like that, it's a wasted scholarship I believe, but don't worry about that since they plan to lose some.

Maximus, I think your son made a great choice. I was a Marine officer and would not trade that experience for the world. My son turned down an Army scholarship to three different schools (including one to the Citadel - a beloved institution in this State and where some of his friends were going to be attending) to take the Civilian Prep route. It coulld not have turned out better. He has done extremely well at school and learned that the he could handle the limited lifestyle (versus that of a typical college). Best of all, he has made friends for a lifetime and received his appointment. The funny part is neither he nor I can believe how fast this year has passed. Good luck!

Thanks Fallenangel77, I too think he made the right choice and more importantly he's 100% sure he made the right choice.