ROTC to USNA

rtaylork

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2016
Messages
33
Good morning,

I'll be attending college on the NROTC scholarship next year, but am thinking of reapplying to the USNA. Would going to the Academy a year older than everybody else cause me to be looked down upon if I get in? Would applying to the Academy make life harder/make me less respected in ROTC?

Thanks!
T
 
No, being a year older will have no impact. 1/3 of the class come from prep school, college, or the fleet. There will be plenty of Plebes who are a year or two older. No one cares about age. When you get the fleet you will have senior enlisted who are 20 years older than you and report to you.

How you are viewed in ROTC is all up to you. If you go in with an attitude that this is just a stop through, don't give 100%, and really give ROTC a shot, then it won't be a fun year. Plenty of Plebes attend USNA after a year or two of ROTC.
 
Not an issue at all, because you would not be older than everyone else. Each class has a sizable percentage of appointees NOT direct from HS, including ROTC, college students, college re-applicants, re-re-applicants, sponsored and non-sponsored prep school attendees and enlisted members coming from the Fleet and Corps.
 
My son received an NROTC scholarship and also reapplied to USNA. He went in to his first year at College all-in, giving 100% to his academic, rowing, and Battalion commitments. Loved the school and was well respected by his leaders and peers. Had he known how much he loved where he landed, I don't know if he would have reapplied, but he did, and now absolutely knows USNA and seems to feel whole-heartedly it is where he is meant to be (based on his letters and calls).

He was forthright with his NROTC freshman advisor and as a result, had tremendous support throughout the process and in addition to his two congressional nominations, the commanding officer of the Battalion nominated him. He was very lucky that his entire Battalion, classmates, and his fellow rowers were all enormously supportive. I think that was a result of his attitude and the fact that he never waivered in his commitments to them. Many of them are now following the Plebe Summer pics online!

From my experience watching him, embrace your year at College - what a great opportunity to grow! Give it your all as if you are planning to be with your college and battalion for all 4 years. At the end of the day you will be abundantly blessed with opportunities -- either way it goes.
 
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