Vmi rotc program

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Pickle

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I applied to VMI and was wondering if there were a lot more AROTC members than in any of the other ROTC branches. I am hoping to earn a NROTC scholarship there but I was just wondering if there were a lot more Army cadets.

Also, If I get accepted into VMI but not awarded a NROTC scholarship, is it true that I have to participate as a member in AROTC? Will I be allowed to participate as a NROTC member instead?
 
Pickle said:
I applied to VMI and was wondering if there were a lot more AROTC members than in any of the other ROTC branches. I am hoping to earn a NROTC scholarship there but I was just wondering if there were a lot more Army cadets.

Also, If I get accepted into VMI but not awarded a NROTC scholarship, is it true that I have to participate as a member in AROTC? Will I be allowed to participate as a NROTC member instead?
Click to expand...

please take what I have to say with a grain of salt as my experience is 32 years old

that said:

Yes, I think most take AROTC.

But no, you would not have to take AROTC and could take NROTC as a programmer.

I believe what you are thinking of is "Rat Training" and from the photos I've seen most Cadets wear ACU's (army fatigues)

back when I was there most did take AROTC because of the '90 day wonder' program (90 days Active, rest in the Reserves).

my suggestion, for the future, is to call and talk to your admissions officer at VMI (Col Vern Beitzel) or the NROTC detachment (at VMI that would be Cpt Adam Young) and they can give you the straight scoop

best wishes
 
Yes, most cadets at VMI are Army because that is the "default" program. If you don't have an ROTC preference, they'll assign you to Army ROTC. Every Senior Military College is like this. Army ACUs are the uniform for every VMI cadet regardless of what branch of ROTC they are in. If you want to be Navy, you can do that, and I'm sure the Navy program if fairly large. You don't have to do Army ROTC.

I'll be attending VMI next Fall as well (I'm Army :thumb:) and hopefully I'll see you there!
 
Pickle, To echo everyone else yes the majority of VMI Cadets (about 900 of 1500) are enrolled in Army ROTC due to the size of Army requirements from Cadet Command versus the other services and Army's willingness to maintain non-contracted or "Special Students" in VMI terminology. However, the Navy program is fairly sizable as well. There are currently 31 First Classmen set to commission Navy this spring and VMI is reporting that for the first time in several years it will be the largest Navy source outside of USNA. I am an active duty Army officer but I can tell you my time at VMI ROTC branch had little to do with my day to day interaction with other cadets. Two of my three roommates my first class year commissioned Navy and one was the Midshipman Battalion Commander. He is now a sub guy. We had six rats assigned to our room and three of them commissioned Navy with two going Surface Warfare (one still an active O4) and one going SEALs. Your barracks life and friendships tend to be more based on company or major than ROTC branch. Anyway, hope this helps and good luck in whatever you decide to do.
 
I would ask the Navy Detachment at VMI about their plans to accept of non-contracted ROTC cadets next year. DS matriculated last year at VMI and is contracted AFROTC. Last year, the AFROTC detachment at VMI would accept individuals into their program who were strongly considering commisioning in the Air Force upon graduation. I would assume the Navy had the same consideration going last year. We talked with all the detachment several times while making our decision about VMI and all of them were very helpfull and knowlegeable.
 
Pickle,
The great thing about VMI is you can choose ANY branch.
Knowing the unparalleled relationship between VMI and famous Marines, I went to VMI to be a Marine. Four years later, I was commissioned in the Air Force! After flying all over the world for the last 20 years, I'm certain I made the right choice.
At VMI you'll have the flexibility to choose. Good Luck!
 
Thank you all for the help. I previously thought that everyone at VMI was a "rat". Now I'm assuming a "rat" is one who is either not in a ROTC program or first-year, correct? Anyways, I will contact the Navy Detachment at VMI and ask about joining their ROTC program if I am accepted into the college but not awarded the 4-year scholarship.

VMI sounds like a great place and though it is not my first-choice, reading all of your comments makes me feel as if I will REALLY enjoy my experiences and the people there.
 
Pickle said:
Thank you all for the help. I previously thought that everyone at VMI was a "rat". Now I'm assuming a "rat" is one who is either not in a ROTC program or first-year, correct? Anyways, I will contact the Navy Detachment at VMI and ask about joining their ROTC program if I am accepted into the college but not awarded the 4-year scholarship.

VMI sounds like a great place and though it is not my first-choice, reading all of your comments makes me feel as if I will REALLY enjoy my experiences and the people there.
Click to expand...

Rat is just another word for freshman. Every freshman at VMI is called a Rat. EVERYONE at VMI is in an ROTC program, you're required to be.
 
What Strength and Honor said is true Pickle,
EVERYONE at VMI is a Rat as a freshmen. VMI's different from anything else--if you come to VMI you're a cadet and you start as a Rat. No night programs, no civilian programs, no on-line programs, no master degree or certificate night/day programs, etc.
When you meet a VMI graduate, you know that person survived the ratline!
Good Luck!
 
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