Question?
- Thread starter dwhite13
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- Feb 2, 2008
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DW: the difference between the ROTC programs at the SMCs and at a traditional colege are -not much. At least in the Army, the POI is set by TRADOC and it really doesn't vary a lot from school to school. There are a few differences I suspect- for example at VMI the entire school goes on FTX for 5 days each fall and spring with their respective branches, and they have "control" days where the entire days activities are scheduled and administered by the respective ROTC departments- which gives you some idea of the position that the MS/NS/AS departments hold in the school. However in general, the ROTC courses will be the same at either an SMC or a civilian college. There is one tangible advantage to an SMC at least in the Army- by law an SMC graduate who wishes to go on active duy in the Army is guaranteed that option if recommended by the PMS. If the Army goes back to its shrink mode- that is worth something.
So what's really different and why would you consider an SMC to get commissioned from? In a nutshell- life. The entire lifestyle at an SMC (to include the Maritime Colleges) is one extended leadership lab. Being immersed in a 24 hour regimented system in which you are physically and mentally stressed; & will have to progressively earn privileges while also gaining responsiblities, all surrounded by an honor code which assumes and requires that your word is your bond. You learn a lot about yourself and your peers- how you deal with multiple competing challenges, how you function when you are tired, who can be counted on when things get rough. You learn to do things right and you learn to accept responsibility for your actions both good and bad- Finally- you discover that it really isn't "all about you" because getting ahead at the cost of sandbagging your classmates and fellow cadets is - outside of an honor violation- just beyond the pale- it is really all about the success of all. In short- life at an SMC is a tremendous learning experience that will prepare you well for a life of service and leadership in the military or outside of it. You can learn any and all of those lessons at other places and plenty of others do so, but I believe that the SMC experience is structured with those lessons as their primary focus.