JROTC uniform

k2falcon

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
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I was told that wearing the AFJROTC uniform is appropriate for the AFROTC and USAFA interviews. Which uniform combination though? Service dress or shirt with ribbons?
 
It is appropriate, but you will find people on both sides of the fence on their opinion of "if you should". Many people say NO, because they already know that your are in JROTC and it appears you are pushing it too hard. Some say go for it, because you are in JROTC and proud of it.

I think what is more important is to determine if that attire is appropriate for the situation. Are you meeting the ALO in your home? If so, wear a pr of khakis and a polo or buttoned down collared shirt.

Don't stress over this. ALO's are very down to earth, this maybe the 1st job interview you are on, but you need to understand why they are there. They are there for multiple reasons:
1. Introduction:
This is the time they get to know you as John or Jane, including your motivations.
2. Explanation:
To help you understand this process, and their integral part within the process.
3. Review:
Where you are standing now from your application...i.e. WCS, EC's, etc.
4. Plan:
To chart your personal course of action regarding getting an appointment


IMHO too many candidates get hooked up in what they should wear or practice questions regarding this particular interview. Trust me, ALO's know you are kids still, they understand the anxiety, and how you want to put your best foot forward. Sometimes over thinking can hurt you more than you know.

These people are your support system for the next yr. They are not the opposition or the enemy...they believe in you as much as your parents. It doesn't matter if you wear the JROTC uniform or khakis, what matters is what you talk about. I also this because there will candidates who are not JROTC, saying "Crap, I am going to be marked down for not being in JROTC". I don't want candidates worrying about that either.
 
All I can tell you is that my son wore his Army JROTC uniform with his Battalion Commander and Rifle Team Commander cords and all of his medals and ribbons to his ROTC scholarship interview and he is now a member of that battalion at college with his scholarship.

He also wore it to his West Point MOC Interviews and received nominations from both our Congressman and one of our Senators so some people must like it.
 
He also wore it to his West Point MOC Interviews and received nominations from both our Congressman and one of our Senators so some people must like it.

Or he was potentially instead a highly qualified candidate who was well spoken and interviewed well :biggrin:

Personally I'm not a huge fan of the JROTC uniform in these situations. You should always dress for the job you are interviewing FOR, not the one you are presently in. In my eyes this means not wearing the JROTC uniform because it simply shows where you are coming from, they already know that info. You obviously can't wear the ROTC/Academy uniform, so the standard is business dress.
 
Or he was potentially instead a highly qualified candidate who was well spoken and interviewed well :biggrin:

Personally I'm not a huge fan of the JROTC uniform in these situations. You should always dress for the job you are interviewing FOR, not the one you are presently in. In my eyes this means not wearing the JROTC uniform because it simply shows where you are coming from, they already know that info. You obviously can't wear the ROTC/Academy uniform, so the standard is business dress.

He first wore it to the PMS interview because the PMS actually said that he would like him to.
 
He first wore it to the PMS interview because the PMS actually said that he would like him to.

There is the key. They wanted to see him in it and it was their recommendation. I think if the PMS requested it, than you should.

I do go with KP's logic of being well spoken and highly qualified.

Let me give you our experience. Our DS was never in AFJROTC, even though the school offered it to the students. The ALO (PMS) had 10 candidates, some were AFJROTC cadets. He was the only one out of the 10 that got every nom. available. He was given the #1 position from his ALO on his rack and stack list for recs. He was the only one to get the full ride scholarship for ROTC. Yes, not one AFJROTC received an appt or a full ride...it was the talk of the JROTC corp at the school...who is this kid, nobody in JROTC even knew of his existence. They couldn't fathom how this kid with no JROTC experience got it and they didn't.

Obviously, the uniform had nothing to do with the decision, but it was his record that had everything to do with it! WCS matters, nothing else.

It is great to wear the uniform, but I am opposed to wearing it if you think it will give you an edge in the process against other candidates. ALO's and nom committees are looking at the whole package, not what you are wearing.

CAVEAT: Show up in torn jeans and flip flops will hurt you, because their 1st impression is you are not understanding the levity of this process.

Again, I want posters/lurkers to understand that the JROTC student will not beat you out just because they are JROTC. I also don't want JROTC students to believe that this will take them up and over in the process, just by wearing their uniform. It is the Whole Candidate Score. If all you have is JROTC, wearing the uniform is not going to be the make or break point.
 
Or he was potentially instead a highly qualified candidate who was well spoken and interviewed well :biggrin:

Personally I'm not a huge fan of the JROTC uniform in these situations. You should always dress for the job you are interviewing FOR, not the one you are presently in. In my eyes this means not wearing the JROTC uniform because it simply shows where you are coming from, they already know that info. You obviously can't wear the ROTC/Academy uniform, so the standard is business dress.


I like the highly qualified candidate who was well spoken and interview well comment!
 
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