How can i get my dad to understand that the Naval Academy is not for me? He can't seem to grasp that this lifestyle isn't for me and ROTC gives me the same commission.
Yes, it is the same commission as ROTC,
In the past, I think ROTC was for reserve officers. Today, everyone commissions into active duty. If I understand correctly, there's also a difference with the midshipmen/cadets themselves: at a military academy, you're on active duty, with ROTC, you're a reservist.
But don't quote me on that.
Many folks are confused about the differences between a "Reserve Officer" and a "Regular Officer." Being a Reserve Officer does not mean the officer is serving in the Reserves. In the "old days," graduates of the service academies were commissioned as Regular Officers, while those commissioned under ROTC or Officer Candidate School (called Officer Training School in the Air Force), were commissioned as Reserve Officers, who then "competed" later during their careers to be appointed as Regular Officers.
Being a Regular officer means a better chance of being promoted, protects against RIFs (reduction in force), and allows an officer to serve longer.
By law, Regular Officers promoted to lieutenant colonel (O-5) may serve for 28 active commissioned years, while those promoted to colonel (O-6) may stay for 30 active commissioned years-unless earlier retired by other provisions of law. By policy, Reserve Officers are limited to 20-years of military service; this may be extended as needed to meet specific service requirements.
Regular Officers may not be involuntarily released from active duty because of a reduction in the size of the officer force. Reserve Officers however, serve at the discretion of the Secretary of the service and may be involuntarily released at any time if the manning ceiling warrants.
Because of Regular Officers' greater tenure, they have some advantage over Reserve Officers. The military must obtain a return on a training investment and; therefore, requires officers to serve a certain period of time after the training is completed. Reserve Officers who have limited retainability may not be able to complete the required period of service. Thus, Reserve Officers may be ineligible for training, whereas, Regular Officers with the prospect of greater tenure are eligible.
How can i get my dad to understand that the Naval Academy is not for me? He can't seem to grasp that this lifestyle isn't for me and ROTC gives me the same commission.
thatguy -
The real question is have you convinced yourself? If you have then you don't need to convince your dad. He will come to the realization with time.
I have no idea what the parent/child dynamic here is - but the decision of whether or not to stay or leave rests ultimately with you.
Your dad wants what is best for you - he doesn't want to see you throw away an opportunity like the Naval Academy. He wants to give you the best parental advice and support he can. Take heed and communicate with him. If you make (or made) the decision not to take his advice, he is naturally going to be disappointed.
You are a grown up now - take responsibility for your decision. Act on it with deep thought and a plan. Move forward. If your plan includes financial help from him - then ask don't demand and offer some sacrifice of your own. If you choose to go the NROTC route, work hard, get good grades and earn a commission he will come around somewhere along the way.
Hopefully you have detailed all the pros and cons and are making an informed decision.
Yes, it is the same commission as ROTC, but the active duty life is the same: full of pressures, challenges, seemingly impossible deadlines, tons of rules and regulations, discipline, boundaries, mandatory PFT, obedience to orders, stacks and stacks of authority above you, some bureaucratic mindlessness. That's all mixed in with the really great stuff [......] oddly mirrored many experiences I had prepping PowerPoint presentations for senior leadership at the Pentagon. The ability to milk every bit of productivity out of a minute by finely honed time management skills, the ability to produce - and eventually lead - under immense pressure, the ability to memorize and retain information and then deliver or apply it .
Good luck on your journey.
At the end of the day, it's your life. You make the decision and he'll have to come to grips with it.