After a long wait, we finally have admission results and now final AROTC scholarship results for DS. He has been in touch with the school ROO for the past many months but now we are all going to an admitted students day at the university. We have a handful of questions we want to ask re AROTC specifics so are trying to set up time to meet with the ROO while we are there. DS has not been in contact with a PMS and even did his interview with a ROO. I'm not exactly sure if we should also try to meet with a PMS while we are there. I don't quite fully understand their different roles and which one may be better suited to answer what questions, etc. Could someone shed light on the different roles/perspective of the ROO and PMS and offer advice on who to meet with, if it is equally important to establish strong relationships with both/all, etc.
PMS and/or ROO - who to meet with?
- Thread starter chemigal
- Start date
The Recruiting Operations Officer is of course great way to start, they'll know which questions are asked and what's going on with the Battalion. If you schedule an in person meeting with him/her I'm quite sure you'll be able to meet with the Professor of Military Science as well. The PMS will be the lead mentor for your cadet being the highest ranking O in the room. The Cadre (Active Staff) includes Assistant PMS (some Majors, mostly Captains) that teach as well as enlisted instructors (Sergeants). I'd say get in touch with the ROO and see if he/she can introduce you around. Doesn't hurt to get to know the lay of the land.
Herman_Snerd
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see if the school has a daily ROTC briefing or orientation tour and sign up as a family. Ask the ROO for time to please meet, and come with a specific list of questions. Review their bio beforehand. I'd just ask the ROO if he/ she/they might introduce you to other members of the Cadre, if they are around vs scheduling a meeting with the PMS. the ROO may accept the meeting or may delegate to a member of cadre - either will be able to answer your questions or get answers tracked down.
Your student can ask to shadow a ROTC participant for a day, go to classes with them, take them for a meal off campus - get real opinions on what it's like there. Also, see if you can visit on a day when they have drill / lab and ask to sit in. My DS did this, worked out in PT gear with a unit (at 4:45AM!) , sat in on a morning lab at another school. Great ways to get to know the program. congrats on your school choice and scholarship.
Your student can ask to shadow a ROTC participant for a day, go to classes with them, take them for a meal off campus - get real opinions on what it's like there. Also, see if you can visit on a day when they have drill / lab and ask to sit in. My DS did this, worked out in PT gear with a unit (at 4:45AM!) , sat in on a morning lab at another school. Great ways to get to know the program. congrats on your school choice and scholarship.
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First…every program is different, big programs may handle it different than small programs, but in most cases the ROO is the person. The ROO is probably the person that has longevity and continuity. The PMS is usually a busy person focused on training the current Cadets and relies on his ROO to fill the freshman class each year. If your kid has a scholarship at this point, work with the ROO and follow their directions. The ROO may delegate at a big program or SMC, but the PMS probably has no onboarding role.
agree with the last part. I did an overnight visit and loved it