Question: what would look better?

Saul

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So in a few days i have an interview with my jrotc instructers for possible leadership positions. I am applying mainly for the administrative department head, a very important job to the unit that requires a lot of extra work. I feel like i could do well in that position.


Our unit also has an orienteering team. I have been an active member, and could basically be guranteed the spot of captain. The current acting captain (as our previous captain pretty much walked out on us) has asked me if i would want to be captain next year, and has even tried to discourage me from applying for the admin position. The unit wants to spread leadership out, so i can only have one position.

I havent done any sports through high school. I am likely doing track this spring...but would captain of the orienteering team look better than head of the admin department? Just want some honest opinions here. Thanks,
 
Positions were you lead cadets look better than XO type positions IMO.

I wouldn't rely purely on JROTC if you are applying for ROTC, they look for a LOT more than that.
 
I will second that. Our DS did not do JROTC even though it was offered. He got an AFROTC scholarship while none of the JROTC students received one.

It is called the WCS for a reason, and a big part of that score is your academics, so make sure you are competitive from that position.
 
I'm gonna disagree about JROTC, I think that if you sell it right, it can be a huge advantage. But you really have to sell what you do, it's not enough to just say "I had this position, blah blah blah." You know what I mean?

If you sell it, it can look much better than many leadership positions. I know that the NJROTC cadets at my school do more to demonstrate leadership than Student Council and every varsity sports captain combined : )
 
How active is your units orienteering team? Would you still be able to participate without commanding it? Doing both can't hurt. I think an admin job helping run the unit is a great opportunitty if you put effort into it. I doubt JROTC athletics will ever be looked upon as favorably as varsity athletics.
 
The point was making is your going to be reviewed as a Whole Candidate, and if you are banking that being in a position with JROTC to seal the deal and you come up short on academics it isn't going to help you win that scholarship.

You need to be well rounded in every aspect, in and outside of school.
 
The point was making is your going to be reviewed as a Whole Candidate, and if you are banking that being in a position with JROTC to seal the deal and you come up short on academics it isn't going to help you win that scholarship.

You need to be well rounded in every aspect, in and outside of school.

I realize that. But since i am in our JROTC program, i do intend to pursue a leadership position. My only question is what, out of those two options, would be looked upon more.

Im planning on doing track through the school, Im on the debate team(possible captain next year), community service every weekend, and my grades arnt that bad either. Needless to say im constantly working on them.


And yes, i would still be able to be apart of the orienteering team.
 
Positions were you lead cadets look better than XO type positions IMO.

I wouldn't rely purely on JROTC if you are applying for ROTC, they look for a LOT more than that.

The XO position is one of the top positions in Army JROTC. It is part of the Top Staff in the JROTC. After the top staff comes the Company Commanders and leadership teams.



Duties and Responsibilities of the Battalion Command and Staff

Battalion Commander - This position is the most demanding in a cadet battalion. The instructors select the cadet for this position based upon demonstrated leadership ability and academic standing. The appointed cadet must be able to apply common sense and judgment in the solving of problems that affect the entire cadet corps. The battalion commander must be mature, willing to accept responsibility, be able to effectively delegate authority and supervise subordinates. The battalion commander controls the staff through the battalion executive officer and the companies through the company commanders, while maintaining the final approval authority in the cadet chain of command.

Battalion Executive Officer - The cadet battalion executive officer (XO) supervises, directs, and coordinates the cadet battalion staff to prevent overlapping efforts and to ensure that the commander’s desires are understood and achieved. The cadet battalion XO keeps the staff informed of the commander’s policies and keeps the cadet battalion commander informed of the status of projects assigned to the staff. The cadet battalion XO assumes command of the cadet battalion in the absence of the cadet battalion commander.

Battalion Command Sergeant Major - The battalion command sergeant major is the enlisted advisor to the battalion commander. As the senior enlisted member of the cadet corps, the command sergeant major supervises the other noncommissioned officers (NCOs) of the battalion and companies.

S1 - Adjutant - The battalion adjutant is the administrative assistant to the battalion commander. The adjutant is also responsible for performing other administrative duties as assigned by the battalion commander, battalion executive officer, or the instructor staff.

S2 - Information/Security Officer - The battalion S-2 assists the battalion commander and the instructor staff in matters pertaining to unit security and enforces the provisions of the security requirements for the battalion.

S3 - Operations Officer - The battalion S-3 assists the battalion commander in the preparation, conduct, and supervision of all training activities of the cadet battalion. Additionally, the S-3 keeps the commander advised on the progress of training within the battalion.

S4 - Logistics Officer - The battalion logistics or supply officer is responsible for the maintenance, security, record keeping, issue, and turn-in of all U.S. government property (except ordnance). The S-4 coordinates the securing of property with the S-2.

S5 - Special Projects Officer - The battalion special projects officer plans and coordinates special projects as outlined by the cadet battalion commander, cadet battalion XO, or the instructor staff. He/she maintains records on all activities and coordination as they pertain to each project. Additionally, he/she keeps the cadet battalion commander, cadet battalion XO, and the instructor staff informed as to the progress of, or any problems encountered with, the projects.
 
The XO position is one of the top positions in Army JROTC. It is part of the Top Staff in the JROTC. After the top staff comes the Company Commanders and leadership teams.

You are looking at it purely from an org chart perspective. Like all organization you are more detached from direct leading when you move into admin roles. For instance a XO would only have six direct reports (S1-6), whereas a company commander may have 30-40. Also, its worth noting the 'S' level cadets are a hell of a lot easier to manage than the lower level cadets. The XO and Company Commanders report directly to the Battalion Commander.
 
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You are looking at it purely from an org chart perspective. Like all organization you are more detached from direct leading when you move into admin roles. For instance a XO would only have six direct reports (S1-6), whereas a company commander may have 30-40. Also, its worth noting the 'S' level cadets are a hell of a lot easier to manage than the lower level cadets.

Actually, I'm not looking at it from a purely org chart perspective but as the mom of a former Battalion Commander. The senior staff had been Company Commanders at one point, if not more than once. They made the staff by their Whole Person score, at least at my son's school.

Both my son and the CSM are at college with the scholarship this year. The XO didn't apply for it. The BC and the XO were awarded the scholarship the year prior. Now I realize that they all had more to place on their resumes that JROTC, but Cadet Command must have looked favorably upon their roles so it at least helped in their scores.
 
No one is saying the roles aren't important. The kid asked what might serve him better and without a sport the role where he directly leads cadets might be better. Most kids that have good academics that have been in leadership roles in JROTC have a good shot at the ROTC. I think pretty much every BC, XO, CSM, 'S' level and Company Commander at my DS's school that have applied for ROTC in the past and had good academics have won scholarships.
 
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