Officer Interview but USNA is first choice

truenorth

truenorth

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DS has applied to both USNA and NROTC. As luck would have it, his Officer interview for NROTC and BGO interview for USNA are back to back (Wed/Thur), with NROTC being first. I am unsure how this works - will DS be viewed negatively that USNA is his first choice? I am sure others have been down this path. Any advice for the NROTC interview?
 
No, make sure that if USNA is truly his first choice, he states that. The NROTC Officer will completely understand and it actually may help his application because they know that he wants to be in the Navy, that is what my NROTC Officer told me. Just make sure that he tells the truth.
 
They do not look at it in a negative way because they know that the high majority of SA candidates will apply for ROTC scholarships as their plan B. It really is very very common.

My DS was up front and told them. The Commander told him that if he decided to opt for the ROTC scholarship over the appointment than regretted it later on they would give him their full support to reapply for USAFA the following year.

The thing to remember is that they are not in competition with each other, they have the exact same goal...to train future leaders.
 
It depends, as much as we like to think we are one team one fight, after all we are dealing with human beings. I think the worst thing a candidate could do is try to second guess what the interviewer wants or might do. When I interview candidates and when they tell me other SA is their first choice over West Point, I ask them to think about why. I like that better as it take more courage to tell that West Point is not their first choice.
 
This is what I have seen for NROTC interview scoring:
NROTC Motivation:
Max Score of 5: Applied to all sources but Navy and NROTC is first choice
Score 4: Any program will do but Navy is first choice -NROTC or USNA -Any way to get in the Navy is fine
So if USNA is #1 choice DS would score 4 not a 5.
So there is an impact but not very high.

Search the forums, there is lots of advice on interviewing, both BGO and NROTC Officer.
I posted this previously:
Dress and look professional. Look and act like you want to be an officer.
Know why you want to be a naval officer.
Know the different Navy communities and be able to articulate which community you want and why.
Know your resume. Know examples of how you have shown leadership.
Know examples of when you have spoken to a large group.
The Navy is looking for STEM type applicants. Be able to articulate your involvement in math, computers, and science both in and out of the classroom.
What can you add that they don't already know about your physical fitness or physical activities.
Are there any special circumstances that they should know about or that you want to highlight

I have seen these categories and what would give max scores.
NROTC Program Motivation: Applied to all programs but definitely wants Navy and NROTC is first choice.
Service Over Self: Explicit in service over self - just wants to serve - May have other desires but overall, amenable to other communities - Fully career invested.
Physical Fitness: Exceptionally fit - Top athletic condition - Superb muscle tone - Embraces a culture of fitness - Muscular, fit and trim
Appearance/Bearing: Superb - Very mature - Dressed to impress - Sat up straight and was attentive during meeting - Conveyed great respect - Meets Navy standards of appearance already
Communications: Exceptional - Thoughtful and clean in response - Articulated answers with ease - Maintained eye contact throughout - Conveys professionalism and confidence
Overall Suitability for NROTC Program - Great potential to excel as a midshipman/officer - Highest recommendation - Of all applicants interviewed - Top 20%

Most importantly, be yourself.
After your interview, post back and let us know what you learnt.
 
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