NROTC options

[iceman2115]

I applied for the NROTC scholarship in January and was rejected. Nevertheless, I am still interested in pursuing an ROTC scholarship and I was wondering what my options were. I will be a sophomore in September and I know I can apply for the Navy ROTC 2 year scholarship and I was wondering what the chances are of receiving a two year scholarship, as well as what my obligations will be upon graduation. Also I was wondering if anyone knows more about the College Program option and how competitive that is? I am not majoring in a technical field so I was wondering if that is one of the reasons I might have been rejected. In addition, I did not get a reference from my congressman so I am wondering if it is recommended that ROTC applicants do that.
Thanks in advance for your help. Responses/Advice from anyone in the ROTC or any recruiters would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kgrmom]

Hi Iceman-

My daughter is in NROTC as a college programmer so maybe I can help you a bit. First I want to be sure I understand your current situation. It sounds like you are in college, finishing your freshman year. So you will be a softmore- but you did not participate this past year in NROTC- correct?? So- you applied for a 3 year scholarship on your own?? My guess is, if that is correct, part of why you may not have been selected.

What the Navy is looking for once you are in college is to show that you want to be part of the ROTC program so the best way to go about it is the college programmer route. The ONLY difference between a college programmer and a "regular" NROTC student is that a college programmer does not have a scholarship. Outside of that everything else is exactly the same. They wear the same uniforms, they are treated the same, the same things are expected of them and no one in the unit knows the difference unless you tell them. Most college programmers drop after 2 years because that's when the scholarship opportunities are done and it is a lot of work to stay in ROTC if they Navy is not picking up any part of the bill. However if you are dedicated to your unit, work hard, keep your academics up most units will tell you that the success rate is really high for college programmers to eventually get some type of scholarship.

My suggestion would be to contact the NROTC Unit Capt. or Officer in charge (it should be listed on the schools website). Tell them you are interested in joining the unit. My daughter's unit has a girl joining this coming year as a softmore college programmer They will send you all the information you need. The unit usually has an orientation week- even if they tell you it's optional- GO!! Then sometime in the fall the Unit will pull the college programmers together and will process the scholarship applications for you. You complete them but they are different than the one you fill out online. If you have done a good job you will have the ROTC officer recommendations behind you as well as having had proved yourself over a few weeks/months. Much, much better for you.

Just FYI for my D- She was USNA candidate and did not get an appt. Was very discouraged and even discouraged at NROTC. She pulled herself up and at the last minute joined her schools unit. At mid-year - she was recommended by the Capt. for a 3 1/2 year leadership scholarship. So she is now on a full Navy ROTC scholarship that she couldn't have even found by going about it on her own. Virtually all the kids in her unit end up on scholarship at the end of their 2nd year.

Now that I've written a mini-novel- (sorry) please feel free to ask any questions or send me a PM if you would like.
Best of luck- you can do it
kgrmom

 

[iceman2115]

Thank you very much for your help. I will definitely heed your advice and begin by contacting the CO at my school immediately.