SMC or Civilian college NROTC?

Curious3

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Nov 15, 2014
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Which would you prefer ? Do you think that a SMC helps you better with OCS or does NROTC?
 
I don't think you understand the commissioning process. Why would you go to an SMC and not do ROTC if you are going to do ROTC at a civilian college?

It doesn't make sense.additionally if you do ROTC and graduate, you will commission as an officer and there would be no need to do OCS/OTS.

The biggest difference between an SMC and a traditional ROTC program is at an SMC you can't be in ROTC without being in the Corps. You can be in the Corps without being in ROTC, but again why would you do the Corps and not ROTC with the end goal of doing OCS?

An SMC lifestyle is much different than a traditional college ROTC program. It is more like an academy lifestyle. You will live in ROTC only dorms. You will have a much more stringent life.

OCS is for those that graduate from college and did not graduate from ROTC. OCS is a completely different program, including the application process. They have their own boards at specific times of the year. OCS can be seen as the stop gap. It is also a path for enlisted to apply to be an officer. What I mean by stop gap is that if there are too many being commissioned for that year group via USNA or NROTC or even a specific career field, they can cancel the board or take more in if there too few. For the AF they cancelled two of the last four OCS boards because the AF had enough in the pipeline while they were also going through downsizing. If the Navy in four years finds themselves in the position of downsizing like the AF, chances are they too will cancel OCS boards.

What would you do at that point? If you say enlist.....rethink that because once enlisted your Commander would have to agree to release you. It could take years before they agree to release you. That now means had you gone to college and done ROTC by the time you get through OCS your classmates would be an 02 maybe an 03. For the next twenty years oif you make it a career they will be making more money than you, and when you retire it might mean you retire as an O4 while they retired as an 05. That is a lot of money you are giving up for the rest of your life because you decided to do OCS and not NROTC.
 
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I don't think you understand the commissioning process. Why would you go to an SMC and not do ROTC if you are going to do ROTC at a civilian college?

It doesn't make sense.additionally if you do ROTC and graduate, you will commission as an officer and there would be no need to do OCS/OTS.

The biggest difference between an SMC and a traditional ROTC program is at an SMC you can't be in ROTC without being in the Corps. You can be in the Corps without being in ROTC, but again why would you do the Corps and not ROTC with the end goal of doing OCS?

An SMC lifestyle is much different than a traditional college ROTC program. It is more like an academy lifestyle. You will live in ROTC only dorms. You will have a much more stringent life.

OCS is for those that graduate from college and did not graduate from ROTC. OCS is a completely different program, including the application process. They have their own boards at specific times of the year. OCS can be seen as the stop gap. It is also a path for enlisted to apply to be an officer. What I mean by stop gap is that if there are too many being commissioned for that year group via USNA or NROTC or even a specific career field, they can cancel the board or take more in if there too few. For the AF they cancelled two of the last four OCS boards because the AF had enough in the pipeline while they were also going through downsizing. If the Navy in four years finds themselves in the position of downsizing like the AF, chances are they too will cancel OCS boards.

What would you do at that point? If you say enlist.....rethink that because once enlisted your Commander would have to agree to release you. It could take years before they agree to release you. That now means had you gone to college and done ROTC by the time you get through OCS your classmates would be an 02 maybe an 03. For the next twenty years oif you make it a career they will be making more money than you, and when you retire it might mean you retire as an O4 while they retired as an 05. That is a lot of money you are giving up for the rest of your life because you decided to do OCS and not NROTC.

I may be entirely wrong here Pima but I'm assuming the OP is planning(?) on becoming an NROTC Marine Option, and really meant to say - Do you think that NROTC Marine Option at an SMC helps you better with OCS or does NROTC Marine Option at a 'normal' college? All NROTC Marine Options go through OCS their rising senior year. It's a 6 week program instead of the normal 12 weeks because much has already been covered in NROTC. Of course if my assumption is incorrect then you're dead on correct.

I'll take a stab at answering based on my assumptions - recognizing this is just my opinion. In my son's OCS class the top midshipmen was from an SMC. Can't remember if he was an Aggie or a Hokie but I'm pretty sure it was one of them. Based on that and other things I know about SMCs I'd have to say it does a better job of preparing you for OCS.

Is it necessary to go to an SMC to be well prepared for OCS? Hell no! What's most important is being physically prepared and mentally tough. If your PFT scores are below 285 your chances of successfully completing OCS begin to drop off exponentially.

If you're facing a choice of schools between an SMC and a normal college, then simply follow your heart and go to the school where you feel you'll be happiest. If you work hard wherever you are, then OCS will take care of itself.
 
Curious3,

Don't ask us what are preference would be? None of us will be living that life. You will the 4 years...not us!

I would suggest you take the time and contact at least one SMC, plus a traditional NROTC unit.

Discuss the daily life as an NROTC member. Discuss the chances to go NROTC MO.
 
Is it necessary to go to an SMC to be well prepared for OCS? Hell no! What's most important is being physically prepared and mentally tough.

+1 Kinnem

I agree, I think the OP is hoping to become a Marine and wondering about the prep provided by NROTC units vs a SMC. I am sure it depends upon the NROTC unit or the SMC. Many of the honor grads at my DS's OCS session were from SMC or prior enlisted. But I can say, with utmost confidence, that success at OCS is much more dependent upon the person than the unit they come from. Whether it is a NROTC unit or a SMC, they are charged with ensuring the candidates are exposed to and prepared for the events that they will see at OCS. Some will come with a little more experience, some with less. What separates them is what's between the ears and what beats in their chest.

In the end, the decision to attend a SMC or NROTC unit should not be based on OCS performance.
 
+1000 kinnem and USMC

Hate the SMC life and the fat lady will be singing way before you get there. Actually, you probably won't even make it to the point that it is a factor.

FYI:
They allow cadets/mids to walk with no harm/no foul as a freshmen for a reason.

The cliche too many chefs spoil the broth is true.
~ This is an anonymous forum and asking which another poster would prefer is not a path I would recommend.
~~ It is akin to asking which do you prefer, red delicious apples or granny smith?
~ I prefer red delicious except for pies and than it is granny. However, I can make a great pie with either apples.

That is my point. I am making the pie. You are in charge of your career. Asking us, and following our opinions might be the worst decision in your life. Can you be the best at an SMC or is that life non-conducive to you? We don't know you at all, why on earth would you ask us about a subject that is so important?
~ I did now look at your history. It appears you are going to a CC and NROTC. I think they will be a better resource than anyone here because they will know you personally.

FWIW, I think you should move on to the more important aspects for the MO...how is your physical fitness? Run time? Let us be honest the Marines care about those scores more than Navy.
 
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+1 Kinnem

I agree, I think the OP is hoping to become a Marine and wondering about the prep provided by NROTC units vs a SMC. I am sure it depends upon the NROTC unit or the SMC. Many of the honor grads at my DS's OCS session were from SMC or prior enlisted. But I can say, with utmost confidence, that success at OCS is much more dependent upon the person than the unit they come from. Whether it is a NROTC unit or a SMC, they are charged with ensuring the candidates are exposed to and prepared for the events that they will see at OCS. Some will come with a little more experience, some with less. What separates them is what's between the ears and what beats in their chest.

In the end, the decision to attend a SMC or NROTC unit should not be based on OCS performance.

Said far more eloquently than I ever could.
 
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