Should I stick with ROTC or focus on OCS?

j3542

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Jun 20, 2016
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Good Afternoon,

I am going to be a sophomore in college this upcoming school year and I am struggling to decide if I should stick with NROTC. I am currently a navy option college programmer and I did not receive a 3-year sideload. My math and science grades my second semester were less than stellar and this is the reason I was not competitive. I am debating dropping because I understand that OCS does not account for what classes you take or your major and I know I can get myself up to a competitive GPA over my 4 years. I don't want to be a quitter, but I also do not want to waste my time in a program that is not going to help me reach my goal. Thank you for your help.
 
What is the down side of sticking it out and seeing if you earn advanced standing? If you don't then pursue OCS. I would encourage any person in your shoes to continue down a path until a door closes if being a Naval Officer is your goal.
 
The biggest downside for me is my major choice. I changed my major from a tier 3 to a tier 2 major to become more competitive for a scholarship but it is not something I would have picked without the influence from the Navy. My other issue is that when I am honest with myself, I am not sure the Navy is 100 percent the right call for me. I found myself less enthusiastic about the Navy after my year in ROTC than before. This may just be because I struggled this year and I do not want to let a bad experience freshman year drop out of a good opportunity, but I am not sure if Navy is the best branch for me at this point. Hopefully that makes some sense, thank you.
 
Well it sounds like you want to go back to Tier 3 and aren't sure this is right for you? That is fine. Maybe it will be in two years. I would say hold out until you get summer training but you might not get there. Have you talked to some upperclass your LT?
 
Dropping ROTC now and going OCS later, assmes they'll be taking candidates through OCS and further that you would be selected. ROTC is the much surer route. If you're not sure about being a Navy Officer then make that decision first prior to dropping, IMHO.
 
I concur with what has been said. If you really want your commission, never eliminate options.

Ultimately, your choice, however.
 
Good Afternoon,

I am going to be a sophomore in college this upcoming school year and I am struggling to decide if I should stick with NROTC. I am currently a navy option college programmer and I did not receive a 3-year sideload. My math and science grades my second semester were less than stellar and this is the reason I was not competitive. I am debating dropping because I understand that OCS does not account for what classes you take or your major and I know I can get myself up to a competitive GPA over my 4 years. I don't want to be a quitter, but I also do not want to waste my time in a program that is not going to help me reach my goal. Thank you for your help.

"...I also do not want to waste my time in a program that is not going to help me reach my goal."

Strong words. Naval ROTC exists to develop college students into future officers, but it starts with you. Sounds to me like you're not putting in the effort required to begin with, and that would be where the real problem lies.

The Navy option 3-year Side Load board isn't even until 25-29 JUL, so I'm not sure why you're saying you didn't get selected. Units have until 30 JUN to submit packages. If you're simply not competitive and your unit is opting not to submit a package on your behalf, that's a different story.

I agree with what has been said above. If this is the path you want, then don't throw away one opportunity for the possibility of another one down the road. OCS is no cake walk to get accepted into, and needs vary year to year.

If you decide that you want to keep pursuing commissioned service in the Navy, then earn it your sophomore year. Crush your classes, outwork your peers, and display an attitude that shows the staff you want to be there. The 2-year Side Load is an option for next summer, and Advanced Standing had a better than 50% selection rate last summer (and I don't expect that to change this summer either, based on the published number of slots).

It starts with you. Figure out what you want, and then put the effort in. Oh, and have this conversation with your advisor; they're in a real position to assist you.
 
The biggest downside for me is my major choice. I changed my major from a tier 3 to a tier 2 major to become more competitive for a scholarship but it is not something I would have picked without the influence from the Navy. My other issue is that when I am honest with myself, I am not sure the Navy is 100 percent the right call for me. I found myself less enthusiastic about the Navy after my year in ROTC than before. This may just be because I struggled this year and I do not want to let a bad experience freshman year drop out of a good opportunity, but I am not sure if Navy is the best branch for me at this point. Hopefully that makes some sense, thank you.

Only 57% of mids selected for Advanced Standing last summer were Tier 1 or Tier 2. Don't study something you dislike/struggle with just because you think that's what someone/an organization wants. While Tier 3 does make scholarship selection difficult, Advanced Standing is just as viable a path to a commission (and honestly, much more of a sure thing than OCS at this point).

Not the best branch for you? It's all hard work, no matter the branch. The grass isn't any greener on the AROTC/AFROTC side.
 
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