AROTC and NROTC Scholarship Questions! Help!

BamaMama

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
9
Hi! I’m new here, however, I have to admit that I have searched this site many times and found answers to many of my questions. This site is wonderful! However, now I have rather specific questions that I need real-time answers for. DS has won both the National Army ROTC scholarship and the National Navy ROTC scholarship! We are very happy! Thrilled to be exact! But now comes the hard work… Decisions and “fine-tuning”. With the AROTC scholarship, he’s been awarded his top choice schools that he’s already been admitted to – all he needs to do is choose. With the NROTC scholarship, he’s been awarded scholarship to his 3rd choice school (in state- accepted). After several “stay the night”/CVW as an Army participant and as a Navy participant (at different schools – including USNA), and his own research about career options, DS seems to be leaning towards the Navy scholarship. Unfortunately, Navy did not place him at his top choices (Virginia Tech and Texas A&M – he’s been accepted to both). With so many options, I need a little help in guiding him through this process.

First of all, can he accept BOTH the AROTC and NROTC scholarships? I would really like him to have time to consider his path – and not just to the end of FEBRUARY. Also, since he would like to transfer his NROTC scholarship to his first two choice schools (VT and TAMU), if he requests a transfer and gets put on a wait list, does that relinquish his Navy scholarship to his original awarded school? He’s playing a “bird in hand” game while trying to balance his military career goals (as far as an 18YO can do). Thank you for any guidance.

PS- We are also awaiting a BFE or TWE from USNA. That’s another wild card in the scenario.
 
My understanding is posted below. Others can confirm and you should always verify as procedures change from time to time.

He can accept both and hold them. Once he starts one in the fall, he forfeits the other.

Requesting a transfer does not relinquish his scholarship to the original school.
 
I would have him call both VT and TAMU to get a sense for how many people they have on their wait lists already and how many typically are able to get in off the wait list annually. Things change every year, so the numbers can change too, but they should have a general idea about this. At least then he will have a better idea of if it is probable that he will get in. Is he willing to go to his 3rd choice school with the scholarship if the top 2 options don't pan out? As USMCGrunt said, accept both scholarships, then decide.
 
Agree with others so far. I would add that the final decision (probably regardless of school, IMHO) is which service does he want to serve in? Navy ROTC guarantees active duty, Army doesn't unless at SMC (which he will be so I guess that's moot). Summer jobs will be tough with Navy due to summer training commitments, Army is moving in that direction. AROTC is not quite so insistent on staying with declared majors yet, Navy is (unless he plans on going Marine Option). Does he want to spend his time at sea or on land? If he wants to fly, does he want fixed wing (Navy) or rotary aircraft (Army).

At least you have great options to wrestle with. I wish we had faced such problems! Good luck to your DS.
 
Thank you all for your responses!!! You really helped a lot!

USMAROTCFamily: Great idea! He will definitely do that! If they do, indeed, give him general numbers from past years and will tell him where he falls on their wait list, he will have enough info to decide what is feasible and what isn't. ABSOLUTELY! If he decides on the NROTC scholarship, he is willing to attend his third choice school if VT and TAMU do not pan out. I think it is going to be difficult to pry these opportunities from his hands with a crowbar! He's so excited! He feels his future is wide open! BUT, he's going to have to make some pretty big decisions and feel satisfied with them. Your advice will help him do that.

kinnem: Thank you for the points to ponder. I had DS read your post (all of these, actually). I totally agree. DH and I have endeavored to make him realize that, while his college selection is important, his decision about his service selection/career is more important. He's been talking to several people (friends, family friends) (active duty/retired) in the Army, Navy, and Marines; and reading about each branch over the last year or so about the various opportunities, and the good and bad in each. Now that he has scholarships in hand, I want him to reconsider everything now that it seems more "real". That's why I wanted to double-check here whether he could accept both scholarships and have time (beyond the end of FEB) to decide which he really wants to accept/decline. Your post gave really great points for him to consider. After he read it, he quietly said, "Hmmm... Okay... Interesting." Which is code for: Good information - point taken! :thumb:
 
Back
Top