Funny misconceptions about ROTC

plmmar

5-Year Member
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Feb 2, 2010
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I can't tell you how many times I was asked, "....and how do you feel about that." when I told people that my son was going to school on an Army ROTC scholarship.
I would tell them it was great. Glad he made that decision-it's what he wants to do after looking at all the options.
They somehow believe that just because you join the military you're absolutely going to be shot or blown up. Media...
 
I agree totally, I get the same comment all the time. I just tell them that I could not be prouder of him to want to serve his country and working so hard to get his NROTC schloarship.:thumb:
 
It is the same mentality that asked how I could send goaliegirl off to boarding school in 9th grade, so I've been answering it for 4 years. Somehow people think sending a kid to boarding school is the same as sending them to reform school.

Strangely enough though, her very liberal NE boarding school is the last place where we get strange questions about ROTC.
 
A kid I go to school with asked me a couple days ago why I'm doing rotc. I said because I've always wanted to serve my country, and he said it just seems like a waste of time. I just looked at him:rolleyes:
 
My older son is currently a MS2 AROTC. When he made the decision in High School to apply for the scholarship and join ROTC he had to endure the questions and comments that came after. His music teacher actually said in class that only those with no other options in life join the military. It took a lot of self control to bite his tounge. He attends a university in a somewhat conservative area of the country but still gets "the look" form some other students on campus when he wears his uniform. Some actuall get pretty verbal with there opinions. Luckily he just brushes those comments off. We also get the same question about how we feel about his decision....We just answer "We're Proud of him" My younger son is about to start the Scholarship application process for the class of 2011. I wish all of you who are still waiting good luck.

By the way, My son loves ROTC and does not regret at all his decision. For those of you who are about to start next year, remember one thing. Run a lot this summer...I mean a lot. It is highly competitive once you start the program. Everything you want to do such as summer school slots, leadership positions, and most everything else is based on a campus OML. You'll find that getting the scholarship was the easy part. Good luck to you all.
 
I earned a 4 year AROTC scholarship and being in MA some people are distraught I would consider joining the military. They don't understand what a rewarding career it can be. Also, I have been running endlessly for the past month!
 
Goaliedad

Funny you mention the boarding school story. My (current) ROTC daughter went in 10th grade to an elite boarding school/athletic academy and people had the same thoughts exactly. Furthermore, a few weeks ago she was being interviewed for her security clearance to attend CortraMid this summer and the Security interviewer was all over the boarding school issue. He was positive that if she went to a boarding school she must have been a "bad kid" and that there was some portion of the story he must be missing for the clearance. She explained over and over, offered him the website as well as contacts at the boarding school and she said even when they finished she was not sure he believed her yet!
 
My dad and FIL don't think getting the AROTC scholarship is a big deal. "Oh, they let everybody in that program. Back when we went to college (late 50's, early 60's) ROTC was required for 2 semesters."

When I try to explain that it's different now and "the Army doesn't just hand out full-rides to everybody" they just mutter under their breath then look at the TV. SIGH. :rolleyes:
 
My dad and FIL don't think getting the AROTC scholarship is a big deal. "Oh, they let everybody in that program. Back when we went to college (late 50's, early 60's) ROTC was required for 2 semesters."

When I try to explain that it's different now and "the Army doesn't just hand out full-rides to everybody" they just mutter under their breath then look at the TV. SIGH. :rolleyes:

It's very impressive-especially this year to receive the scholarship.
The Army has changed quite a bit since the 50's,60's,70's and even 80's.
When I was in, the Army wasn't looked upon very highly. That's changed now since the Middle East wars. Look-they've got the biggest budget. It's an impressive branch of the military today. I tried to get my sons to look at the AF but no-they want the Army and I've come to realize that it's a good choice.
 
daughter received NROTC scholarship back in December to top tier university. Comments were divided,
1. That's nice I am sure it helped her get into the college.
2. how much of her life does she have to give up marching in mud with kids who have no other options.(mother in law)
3. (from sister in law) if $ is an issue, I guess it is a good way to go. How did she get selected she is a great student and never was in trouble.

and the best was from one her friends mothers - can she still join a sorority and what does she think about walking around in men's clothes everyday.

Oh well, daughter is proud and excited to move to school with NROTC
 
Reading all these posts, it really is sad that some people in this country feel this way. My daughter appllied for an Army ROTC schlorship and we are waiting for the results. I served for 26 years, both my son's are serving and out other daughter married an Army soldier-needless to say we are proud to serve our great country...just needed to vent - Thanks:smile:
 
I can't tell you how many times I was asked, "....and how do you feel about that."
They somehow believe that just because you join the military you're absolutely going to be shot or blown up. Media...

However- it is a valid question and one that I always stress when I'm doing an interview with Kids and their parents- This is an Army at war. If you aren't joining it or having your kid joining it without having thought of that then you are kidding yourself and you are not preparing yourself for reality. Recruiters may package all of this up as aid for education, or valuable lessons for leadership in other fields - but Primarily - they are paying you to become an officer in an Army that is in combat everyday and which sustains casualties from enemy action every day. You may not be aboslutely a casualty - but you absolutely have the chance of becoming one when you raise your right hand and take that oath. So if you as a parent or as a prospective Army ROTC student haven't thought about "how do you feel about that", then I believe you need to do so as even hgih school seniors today are only 4 short years from commissioning.
 
The "misconception" is that everyone that joins the military is going to be shot at or blown up. This is what the media portrays.

The truth is that there are a lot of jobs in the military that never require you to be placed in that scenario.

Some do. I think that parents understand what their child is signing up for. We're proud of them. They are patriots, warriors and heroes.

My oldest son will be a combat medic. He wants to deploy. Will he be placed in harms way. Quite possibly. Will I worry about it? Probably, especially the PTSD part. Do I admire and respect him for the decisions he has made? I do.

We've served in the military. We understand the risks.
 
However- it is a valid question and one that I always stress when I'm doing an interview with Kids and their parents- This is an Army at war. If you aren't joining it or having your kid joining it without having thought of that then you are kidding yourself and you are not preparing yourself for reality. Recruiters may package all of this up as aid for education, or valuable lessons for leadership in other fields - but Primarily - they are paying you to become an officer in an Army that is in combat everyday and which sustains casualties from enemy action every day. You may not be aboslutely a casualty - but you absolutely have the chance of becoming one when you raise your right hand and take that oath. So if you as a parent or as a prospective Army ROTC student haven't thought about "how do you feel about that", then I believe you need to do so as even hgih school seniors today are only 4 short years from commissioning.



I am sure every parent has thought about what may happen if their child joins the military. But to be honest does anybody in the military have a greater chance of being injured then the average Joe crossing the street and being hit by a bus. I agree with the OP, some people only see the negative in the situation, not the positive, that these kids are going to be protecting us in the future.
 
Years ago my SIL asked how I could deal with the thought that Bullet may die and leave me alone with our young children.

I simply stated to her that I believed in FATE. I said if it was his day it was his day, and I could lock him in a closet, but he would still die. You must accept this as fact. You must realize like wdisneynut said people die crossing the street. Don't wrap yourself around the pole in fear when they go to the badlands, instead, hug and kiss them and believe you will see them soon. Most military members do not worry about themselves, they worry about those they have left behind.

As a parent, spouse or child, you need to come to terms with the fact that they love what they are doing and no matter what, if it is time, it is time. You will only find peace knowing that they enjoyed every second of their military life.

As far as ROTC. I was a wife of an AFROTC grad and now a Mom of an AFROTC cadet. Bullet did not apply for the AFA, but here's the deal...the further they are out of college the less it matters. When he was selected for PME (O-4) SISTER SCHOOL, not one out of his base had an SA degree. The SA's went to Maxwell and truth be known Sister School is seen as more prestigious.

When he went to FTU for the F-111 he was the DG, not the AFA grads. DG and number 1 are 2 different things....only 10% of grads will get DG, not every class has a DG, every class has a #1.

Bullet also was DG at SOS...yep, that lowly ROTC grad was ranked as the top 10% of officers.

You will always be asked the question "of how do you feel", regardless if your child is ROTC or SA.

The true misconception regarding ROTC and SA is that they weren't good enough to get into the SA. People don't realize that some purposely opt for traditional universities, and parents need to understand that this route is not a career killer.
 
But to be honest does anybody in the military have a greater chance of being injured then the average Joe crossing the street and being hit by a bus.
Yes. They have the same risk of being hit by a bus as the "average Joe" plus some additional risks.
 
Whenever people bother me about death in the military, I just tell them that there are a few things in this world worth dying for. If it weren't for hundreds of thousands of men before me with that same mindset then our country wouldn't exist.
 
Yes..I'm tired of the MIL crying whenever she talks about my kids 'going to fight a war she doesn't support' "There must be another way to pay for college". And this Chistmas she mingled among our guests at Christmas dinner and told them all she doesn't support the military.

Before she left to go home, I told her that she could either be a supportive member of my family or she could not visit. I will soon have two sons that will be officers and the only way I will be able to stay strong if they are deployed is to have people around me that are supportive. There will be no such talk around me or in my house.

I'm all for free speech...just somewhere else!
 
Yes..I'm tired of the MIL crying whenever she talks about my kids 'going to fight a war she doesn't support' "There must be another way to pay for college". And this Chistmas she mingled among our guests at Christmas dinner and told them all she doesn't support the military.

Before she left to go home, I told her that she could either be a supportive member of my family or she could not visit. I will soon have two sons that will be officers and the only way I will be able to stay strong if they are deployed is to have people around me that are supportive. There will be no such talk around me or in my house.

I'm all for free speech...just somewhere else!

Hopefully, she'll come around when they start showing up at family events in uniform.
 
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