Differences between SMC and AROTC
- Thread starter GoArmy92
- Start date
Just curious, what makes GMU a "No question step down" for ROTC. I guess it would make the school my son's attended seem like the backwoods that can't spell ROTC.
Isn't the best school the one where you succeed?
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Pima
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I live in NoVA. I have kids at each one of these schools...not ROTC.
I have to say JCC, I think you are wrong in your assumption. VT and GMU both have about 30k+ applicants and their admission SATs are about the same @1280.
The irony is my kids are the minority for their major at their colleges! DS is Bio Chen at GMU, which is more of a LAC school. DD graduated as an English major and is a Grad school fellow for a Master in Education at VT! They chose to be at those colleges because they understood college is more than academics, it is a feeling when youbwlk the campus. Have you ever seen either of these campuses? VT looks like it was used for Harry Potter. GMU looks like it was used for ...I don't know...think modern buildings! If VT folded tomorrow, Blacksburg and Christiansburg would fold. If GMU folded tomorrow, nobody would notice because they are the big employer in Fairfax VA. Honestly,No VA CC would probably fold that campus into their Annandale Campus!
Sorry, but I am with Jcleppe on this one. I am also not with GoArmy and his reasonings, especially since I am looking at it from the fact he is 21, not 17.
Look, I get a 17 yr old HS kid not thinking it through because they were enamored by the 3 hour tour. I don't get a 20 year old that left the GMU unit, he admits he was in AROTC in college and transferred this year.
Worse yet,fraternization is one of the reasons. Huh? Did he not investigate an SMC life prior to attending?
I am probably going to get in trouble with the mods for saying this, but let me first premise this.
GoAArmy, there is a poster from here that is at VT AROTC and I believe you need to talk to them because they are your peer and understand how you are feeling. That posters name is gridiron.
They are identical with you.
~ 21
~ Transfer student from NoVA
~ Was in AROTC as a NVCC student, I believe at GMU too
~ Non Stem major at VT
~ Issues with fraternization
Here's why I may get in trouble with the mods. I believe you are gridiron and have reincarnated yourself as GoArmy. I know that there are many transfer students at both colleges, but I have a hard time biting off that on a site like this, and with your background, that the two of you have not become fast friends. The whole lack of answering what do the folks think, also raises a red flag.
The question you need to ask is do you believe that GMU is going to rack and stack you high enough for AD if you say I came back because of fraternization issues at VT or I want an internship? Did you not apply to GMU too when you applied to VT? If you did what did you say to the PMS of why you were going to Vt instead of progressing within their unit? Guaranteed AD? What will be your response when they say to you, a year ago you CHOSE VT over us, why should we CHOOSE the cadets that decided to stay with us when they transferred over you?
If you are not gridiron, what are the folks saying? Are they seriously supporting this decision when you have yet to take a midterm? I would think most parents would have the same response as me.
~ Honey, this is common, apply if you want, but we don't want you to make a decision until March.
Than again you are 21, and a grown adult, which begs the question why you need advice from us? Do you want support? You have it, because at my age and many of the posters age, our ife is filled with regrets. I sure as sheaattt will not say don't do it, because I know looking back at what if is the hardest thing in life.
Just be honest is all I ask. Don't BS! It doesnt take a year to leave. Financial aid for every student, regarding the big bucks is Jan. Fafsa and pell for 2015 opens at that time. Unless you are looking for merit from GMU that isn't a factor. You will be a junior next year, and have admitted that you can live at home. You automatically get 7500, and off campus at GMU is @10k. Get a summer job, save every penny and you don't need more money. Get a job at GMU and take a student loan for 3k.
Be honest, because many of us can read through the lines. Ready to be called out, just had to put it out there instead of being silent!
You want too go home, than do it! You want to stay than do it! You are 21. In a few short months there are students at VT that will commission into the AArmy. The same age as you are. Many of them are not STEM, and many if ISIS becomes your generation of Al Queda will be on the front lines in a year from now.
Just saying think about it. JMPO, but your position says to me what NAS was saying, and due to the maintenance update was lost. Why do you want to do be in ROTC? Why? I suggest today, tomorrow and until the end of the week talk to MSIVs, ask them why AD, or why you should stay? Let it sink in. Think about the fact that although our President has assured the nation of no boots on the ground nobody can predict the future.
I have to say JCC, I think you are wrong in your assumption. VT and GMU both have about 30k+ applicants and their admission SATs are about the same @1280.
The irony is my kids are the minority for their major at their colleges! DS is Bio Chen at GMU, which is more of a LAC school. DD graduated as an English major and is a Grad school fellow for a Master in Education at VT! They chose to be at those colleges because they understood college is more than academics, it is a feeling when youbwlk the campus. Have you ever seen either of these campuses? VT looks like it was used for Harry Potter. GMU looks like it was used for ...I don't know...think modern buildings! If VT folded tomorrow, Blacksburg and Christiansburg would fold. If GMU folded tomorrow, nobody would notice because they are the big employer in Fairfax VA. Honestly,No VA CC would probably fold that campus into their Annandale Campus!
Sorry, but I am with Jcleppe on this one. I am also not with GoArmy and his reasonings, especially since I am looking at it from the fact he is 21, not 17.
Look, I get a 17 yr old HS kid not thinking it through because they were enamored by the 3 hour tour. I don't get a 20 year old that left the GMU unit, he admits he was in AROTC in college and transferred this year.
Worse yet,fraternization is one of the reasons. Huh? Did he not investigate an SMC life prior to attending?
I am probably going to get in trouble with the mods for saying this, but let me first premise this.
GoAArmy, there is a poster from here that is at VT AROTC and I believe you need to talk to them because they are your peer and understand how you are feeling. That posters name is gridiron.
They are identical with you.
~ 21
~ Transfer student from NoVA
~ Was in AROTC as a NVCC student, I believe at GMU too
~ Non Stem major at VT
~ Issues with fraternization
Here's why I may get in trouble with the mods. I believe you are gridiron and have reincarnated yourself as GoArmy. I know that there are many transfer students at both colleges, but I have a hard time biting off that on a site like this, and with your background, that the two of you have not become fast friends. The whole lack of answering what do the folks think, also raises a red flag.
The question you need to ask is do you believe that GMU is going to rack and stack you high enough for AD if you say I came back because of fraternization issues at VT or I want an internship? Did you not apply to GMU too when you applied to VT? If you did what did you say to the PMS of why you were going to Vt instead of progressing within their unit? Guaranteed AD? What will be your response when they say to you, a year ago you CHOSE VT over us, why should we CHOOSE the cadets that decided to stay with us when they transferred over you?
If you are not gridiron, what are the folks saying? Are they seriously supporting this decision when you have yet to take a midterm? I would think most parents would have the same response as me.
~ Honey, this is common, apply if you want, but we don't want you to make a decision until March.
Than again you are 21, and a grown adult, which begs the question why you need advice from us? Do you want support? You have it, because at my age and many of the posters age, our ife is filled with regrets. I sure as sheaattt will not say don't do it, because I know looking back at what if is the hardest thing in life.
Just be honest is all I ask. Don't BS! It doesnt take a year to leave. Financial aid for every student, regarding the big bucks is Jan. Fafsa and pell for 2015 opens at that time. Unless you are looking for merit from GMU that isn't a factor. You will be a junior next year, and have admitted that you can live at home. You automatically get 7500, and off campus at GMU is @10k. Get a summer job, save every penny and you don't need more money. Get a job at GMU and take a student loan for 3k.
Be honest, because many of us can read through the lines. Ready to be called out, just had to put it out there instead of being silent!
You want too go home, than do it! You want to stay than do it! You are 21. In a few short months there are students at VT that will commission into the AArmy. The same age as you are. Many of them are not STEM, and many if ISIS becomes your generation of Al Queda will be on the front lines in a year from now.
Just saying think about it. JMPO, but your position says to me what NAS was saying, and due to the maintenance update was lost. Why do you want to do be in ROTC? Why? I suggest today, tomorrow and until the end of the week talk to MSIVs, ask them why AD, or why you should stay? Let it sink in. Think about the fact that although our President has assured the nation of no boots on the ground nobody can predict the future.
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Pima
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I think you may owe an apology for the latter part of the statement, but not for the prestigious part.
I stand by my position that I am proud of both of my kids and see these schools academically equivalent.
I stand by my position that you are right...want to raise that right hand and take an oath, than you need to graduate.
I stand by my position that at 21 I expect you to not need this site for guidance. My DS pinned on butter bars at 22 and 2 months. At 23 he was flying in the AF, and could die.
VMI said it first...what are you looking for in this post? 24 posts later and nobody here can state why they created this thread.
Can you? Because, I can't, unless you want me to say they want posters to say it is okay to leave and justify it for them.
That is not your, my or any posters job. None of us will be asking what if in twenty years.
If they are gridiron, than my position will change. Gridirons parents were opposed to them joining ROTC to begin with. They are 1st gen American and Dad has an issue with the military, specifically minorities. Mom thinks they all die. Exaggeration, but you get the point.
I stand by my position that I am proud of both of my kids and see these schools academically equivalent.
I stand by my position that you are right...want to raise that right hand and take an oath, than you need to graduate.
I stand by my position that at 21 I expect you to not need this site for guidance. My DS pinned on butter bars at 22 and 2 months. At 23 he was flying in the AF, and could die.
VMI said it first...what are you looking for in this post? 24 posts later and nobody here can state why they created this thread.
Can you? Because, I can't, unless you want me to say they want posters to say it is okay to leave and justify it for them.
That is not your, my or any posters job. None of us will be asking what if in twenty years.
If they are gridiron, than my position will change. Gridirons parents were opposed to them joining ROTC to begin with. They are 1st gen American and Dad has an issue with the military, specifically minorities. Mom thinks they all die. Exaggeration, but you get the point.
If your decision is based on the major, then you might consider George Washington, American, and Georgetown. VT would also serve you well in the major you mentioned... it's not just an engineering school.
I would also recommend looking into other service options instead of just sticking with Army. In the end, think of the next 20 years, not just the next 2 semesters... At any rate, all the best in whatever you decide.
I would also recommend looking into other service options instead of just sticking with Army. In the end, think of the next 20 years, not just the next 2 semesters... At any rate, all the best in whatever you decide.
Pima
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NAS,
I know that your post dropped due to maintenance, but I addressed it in an earlier post.
Simply put GoArmy is discussing the need for financial aid to attend GMU, and the ability to live at home. He is not on AROTC scholarship. Not many people can afford the 60k a year tuition for GW or GTown. 10k living at home and attending GMU is affordable. Same can be said for AU where it is 20k for tuition alone.
I know that your post dropped due to maintenance, but I addressed it in an earlier post.
Simply put GoArmy is discussing the need for financial aid to attend GMU, and the ability to live at home. He is not on AROTC scholarship. Not many people can afford the 60k a year tuition for GW or GTown. 10k living at home and attending GMU is affordable. Same can be said for AU where it is 20k for tuition alone.
You have missed my point because I never said anything about NEEDING financial aid to attend GMU. The whole "financial" aid thing was only in regards to housing but that is not the major issue here. I didn't come here for comfort but a non-biased logical perspective of what the differences between SMC v. ROTC you have dragged this to a whole different topic.
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GoArmy92
this thread is like a bad piece of meat. the more you chew on it the worse it gets.
you have had any number of very reputable posters from this forum attempt to offer their insight & wisdom in the sincere attempt to help you
for whatever reason you are evasive, do not respond to direct questions and dissimulate
then you go on to state you have dragged this to a whole different topic.
whiskey tango foxtrot ???
we may have Military backgrounds but we do not have to abide by 'no horse so dead we won't beat it'
count me out
this thread is like a bad piece of meat. the more you chew on it the worse it gets.
you have had any number of very reputable posters from this forum attempt to offer their insight & wisdom in the sincere attempt to help you
for whatever reason you are evasive, do not respond to direct questions and dissimulate
then you go on to state you have dragged this to a whole different topic.
whiskey tango foxtrot ???
we may have Military backgrounds but we do not have to abide by 'no horse so dead we won't beat it'
count me out
Pima
10-Year Member
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Wise advice VMI.
Count me out too.
GoArmy you are going to be 22 soon, if you need nonbiased info regarding SMC vs ROTC than nobody here can help you at all. You are at an SMC and according to you own posts were at an AROTC unit for at least a year.
Shouldn't you be the poster to inform HS candidates via your own experience of living both worlds the difference between the two? Why are you saying you are looking for a nonbiased logical discussion from posters here?
Tapping out!
PS please read post 14....you brought up the FA issue, and believe it or not, I was actually defending you to NAS why GWU, GTown and American may not be viable options. You used it as an excuse of why you had to get on the ball by Nov/Dec. Don't shoot me if you forgot the excuses you used for why you cant wait until the semester is completed! That excuse and the long process to disenroll out of the Corps...,sorry still shaking at my head at that one....walk in, say I quit. They hand you the paperwork and it is all over! It does not take a year to disenroll. They aren't going to plead with you. The biggie is that you live in Corps dorms so they may move you to a dorm like AJ for spring, but that is it! Heck, cadets at SAs leave within a week!
You know for a fact that you are going back to GMU. You didn't even give VT a chance. Deadline Oct.1 for transfer spring GMU. School started AUG 28? You tapped out within 2 weeks of classes. Why do you want a conversation now?
Count me out too.
GoArmy you are going to be 22 soon, if you need nonbiased info regarding SMC vs ROTC than nobody here can help you at all. You are at an SMC and according to you own posts were at an AROTC unit for at least a year.
Shouldn't you be the poster to inform HS candidates via your own experience of living both worlds the difference between the two? Why are you saying you are looking for a nonbiased logical discussion from posters here?
Tapping out!
PS please read post 14....you brought up the FA issue, and believe it or not, I was actually defending you to NAS why GWU, GTown and American may not be viable options. You used it as an excuse of why you had to get on the ball by Nov/Dec. Don't shoot me if you forgot the excuses you used for why you cant wait until the semester is completed! That excuse and the long process to disenroll out of the Corps...,sorry still shaking at my head at that one....walk in, say I quit. They hand you the paperwork and it is all over! It does not take a year to disenroll. They aren't going to plead with you. The biggie is that you live in Corps dorms so they may move you to a dorm like AJ for spring, but that is it! Heck, cadets at SAs leave within a week!
You know for a fact that you are going back to GMU. You didn't even give VT a chance. Deadline Oct.1 for transfer spring GMU. School started AUG 28? You tapped out within 2 weeks of classes. Why do you want a conversation now?
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Just so the OP understands, there is no difference between ROTC at either a SMC or a Traditional College, the curriculum is the same.
The difference is whether you want to be in a Corps of Cadets during your four years.
I'll turn out the lights as I follow you Pima.
Looks as if you think AROTC is at a regular school is inferior based on your arguments and saying I am "tapping out" as if I am some kind of quitter. I will admit I put myself in a situation that I should've seen coming a long time ago but was blind to...Appreciate your input though
such biased perceptions are what guide HS graduates in the wrong direction about SMC, ROTC or even SA
I respond to all the questions however the responses I get look as if I am made to look like a fool (not really complaining here just stating a fact)
Pima
10-Year Member
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I have to chime in because I will always defend myself when wrongly accused.
1. Do you know what tapping out means?
~ It is a reference to tag team wrestling. When one wrestler wants out, they tap out so someone else can continue the fight. It had ZERO to do with you!
2. Where on Gods green Earth did you ever get the idea I am pro SMC/anti-ROTC.
~ It is common knowledge that my DS commissioned AFROTC.
As for your remark to VMI, did you ever think why posters responded the way they did?
Had you come on here, like many cadets/plebes dropping on request from an SA that this thread would have gone differently.
I.E.
~ I have decided to leave VT. I submitted my paperwork for spring admission to GMU two weeks ago. I do not want to discuss my decision, or have posters try to sway me. My decision has been made, but I do want to give insight to candidates and their parents while an SMC maybe seen as a guaranteed AD commission it does not mean it is a good fit for them.
From there go on why you are not a fit at VT.
Instead you were always on the defensive. It took pages of pulling teeth from you and frustrating posters because you kept giving different excuses of why.
~ heck, I am still not sure. I believe you are gridiron and due to that fact I think a lot has to do with parental influence, but than again it could be you are almost 22 forced to live an 18 yr old life at an SMC. Maybe it is you have decided you don't want to go AD and the belief that an internship can be parlayed into a job on the Hill upon graduation, thus Reserve/Guard looks better now!
You also did not answer every question. I have asked multiple times what do the folks say?You also stated you never said it was a financial aspect, but clearly on post 14 you did say it.
Just saying I won't put words in your mouth, don't put them in mine.
I am Damn proud of my DH (AFROTC) and my DS (AFROTC) UMDCP. Just as much as I am proud of my DD at VT with a Liberal Arts degree and my DS2 at GMU as a Bio Chem major, non ROTC!
Did it ever cross your mind that I actually defended you attending GMU for your major? I guess you didn't read post 17.
I am not going to back down on the fact that at 21 you didn't do proper research and your post to JCC made me chuckle! You are 21, not 17! Wise advice to 17 year olds, but it begs the question that is on every posters mind.
~ Why at the age of 21 didn't you do due diligence? Why if this is your future you jumped? Do you believe that is what the military is looking for regarding officers? Or do you believe like the majority of posters here you gather Intel and make a plan from that?
Just saying, maybe we are also looking at the fact that you are 21 and reactionary when what is needed is long term action plans!
In the end thank you for wanting to defend this great nation. I truly wish you the best. If you are gridiron, I hope that your parents will eventually respect your decision to serve. If not, you need to move on, and decide if you can live without their support.
1. Do you know what tapping out means?
~ It is a reference to tag team wrestling. When one wrestler wants out, they tap out so someone else can continue the fight. It had ZERO to do with you!
2. Where on Gods green Earth did you ever get the idea I am pro SMC/anti-ROTC.
~ It is common knowledge that my DS commissioned AFROTC.
As for your remark to VMI, did you ever think why posters responded the way they did?
Had you come on here, like many cadets/plebes dropping on request from an SA that this thread would have gone differently.
I.E.
~ I have decided to leave VT. I submitted my paperwork for spring admission to GMU two weeks ago. I do not want to discuss my decision, or have posters try to sway me. My decision has been made, but I do want to give insight to candidates and their parents while an SMC maybe seen as a guaranteed AD commission it does not mean it is a good fit for them.
From there go on why you are not a fit at VT.
Instead you were always on the defensive. It took pages of pulling teeth from you and frustrating posters because you kept giving different excuses of why.
~ heck, I am still not sure. I believe you are gridiron and due to that fact I think a lot has to do with parental influence, but than again it could be you are almost 22 forced to live an 18 yr old life at an SMC. Maybe it is you have decided you don't want to go AD and the belief that an internship can be parlayed into a job on the Hill upon graduation, thus Reserve/Guard looks better now!
You also did not answer every question. I have asked multiple times what do the folks say?You also stated you never said it was a financial aspect, but clearly on post 14 you did say it.
Just saying I won't put words in your mouth, don't put them in mine.
I am Damn proud of my DH (AFROTC) and my DS (AFROTC) UMDCP. Just as much as I am proud of my DD at VT with a Liberal Arts degree and my DS2 at GMU as a Bio Chem major, non ROTC!
Did it ever cross your mind that I actually defended you attending GMU for your major? I guess you didn't read post 17.
I am not going to back down on the fact that at 21 you didn't do proper research and your post to JCC made me chuckle! You are 21, not 17! Wise advice to 17 year olds, but it begs the question that is on every posters mind.
~ Why at the age of 21 didn't you do due diligence? Why if this is your future you jumped? Do you believe that is what the military is looking for regarding officers? Or do you believe like the majority of posters here you gather Intel and make a plan from that?
Just saying, maybe we are also looking at the fact that you are 21 and reactionary when what is needed is long term action plans!
In the end thank you for wanting to defend this great nation. I truly wish you the best. If you are gridiron, I hope that your parents will eventually respect your decision to serve. If not, you need to move on, and decide if you can live without their support.
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I respond to all the questions however the responses I get look as if I am made to look like a fool (not really complaining here just stating a fact)
I think you did a fine job of making yourself look like a fool.
And were you to state a fact, finally, no one would be more surprised than I.
I retract my offer -- Stay away from my Father's name and the Honor Pillar.
Kinnem … I'll turn the lights back off now.
PS … GoArmy92 … now that it is dark in here I'd suggest you vamoose!
Hell hath no fury like Pima scorned! She is an amazing Lady, has an incredible knowledge of these topics and is a class act! Even when she schooled you she still thanks you for wishing to serve! Amazing! Most of us would have told you to not let the doorknob hit you in the a** on the way out.
I think you did a fine job of making yourself look like a fool.
And were you to state a fact, finally, no one would be more surprised than I.
I retract my offer -- Stay away from my Father's name and the Honor Pillar.
Kinnem … I'll turn the lights back off now.
PS … GoArmy92 … now that it is dark in here I'd suggest you vamoose!
Hell hath no fury like Pima scorned! She is an amazing Lady, has an incredible knowledge of these topics and is a class act! Even when she schooled you she still thanks you for wishing to serve! Amazing! Most of us would have told you to not let the doorknob hit you in the a** on the way out.