Hello, friends! I'm currently an Army ROTC scholarship awardee starting college this fall. I got my scholarship back in April and since then, I've been so nervous about how I conduct myself in public. In no way am I implying that I was some sort of hooligan beforehand, I just get nervous over small things that technically count as breaking the law. Whenever I ride a bike, I can't help but feel somewhat nervous about riding on the curb (I live in NYC and it's illegal here), or riding without a helmet. I refrain from jaywalking nowadays too (Not that I did it every single day before). I just want to know if I should live life in fear of the law and minor infractions. Can they take away my scholarship because of a biking ticket or any other (comparably) minor infraction?
Ways to get thrown off scholarship?
- Thread starter ROTC2015
- Start date
For traffic tickets - it's any fine of over $250.00
But yes - follow the letter of the law, and get used to it -
as an officer any legal problems are taken very seriously.
BTW - It's called respecting the law, which was written and is enforced for
a reason. And as an Army Officer you will be a member of the
executive branch - the branch of government charged with upholding that law.
Sorry, putting soap box away now
But yes - follow the letter of the law, and get used to it -
as an officer any legal problems are taken very seriously.
BTW - It's called respecting the law, which was written and is enforced for
a reason. And as an Army Officer you will be a member of the
executive branch - the branch of government charged with upholding that law.
Sorry, putting soap box away now
Last edited:
Pima
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I think the fear you may be feeling comes from the alcohol thread and the horror stories you have read.
The fact is keep your nose clean and to the grindstone.
The real issue for scholarship cadets is academics, not law enforcement issues. Cadets lose scholarships more often than naught due to their gpa in college.
The military must reduce their budget substantially in the next decade. That means they are going to cut everything, including ROTC and summer training. This is not the 1st time they have done this. They did it back in the 90's, a time where many of our current flag officers remember well.
If you understand the system, especially, OML, you will do fine. If you enter with a cavalier attitude that I am on scholarship, thus GOLDEN, you will fail.
Scholarship, no scholarship, all cadets are expected and required to exist at the same level.
I am sure you will do great. You already are getting with the mindset that "I am a reflection of the military". Those are the ones that are truly successful.
The fact is keep your nose clean and to the grindstone.
The real issue for scholarship cadets is academics, not law enforcement issues. Cadets lose scholarships more often than naught due to their gpa in college.
The military must reduce their budget substantially in the next decade. That means they are going to cut everything, including ROTC and summer training. This is not the 1st time they have done this. They did it back in the 90's, a time where many of our current flag officers remember well.
If you understand the system, especially, OML, you will do fine. If you enter with a cavalier attitude that I am on scholarship, thus GOLDEN, you will fail.
Scholarship, no scholarship, all cadets are expected and required to exist at the same level.
I am sure you will do great. You already are getting with the mindset that "I am a reflection of the military". Those are the ones that are truly successful.
If you've read all the threads here for the past year as I have, it seems there are two primary ways to lose the scholarship:
1) not passing the PFT and/or body fat requirements when you arrive on campus. No scholarship cadet will receive any money for stipend, books or tuition until they show up on campus, and pass the PFT & body fat tests.
2) quitting because the cadet changed his/her mind.
After the first semester in the program, the main reason for probation and then separation is poor grades. Obviously you don't have to worry about that now.
1) not passing the PFT and/or body fat requirements when you arrive on campus. No scholarship cadet will receive any money for stipend, books or tuition until they show up on campus, and pass the PFT & body fat tests.
2) quitting because the cadet changed his/her mind.
After the first semester in the program, the main reason for probation and then separation is poor grades. Obviously you don't have to worry about that now.
Eagle 1
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I know I'm jumping on a week-old thread, but this, in my opinion, is the single most important part of what Pima said.
Your attitude has to be that you are already a military officer - you set the standard for the very best our nation has to offer. So how you carry yourself, your appearance, your demeanor, your attitude toward the law, all hold a very significant impact on your future career.
You need to view yourself as an officer both in and out of uniform - everything you do off duty reflects upon you while on duty, so don't do stupid things
Also don't take this as don't have fun. There's a switch that you need to keep in mind - some things you definitely can't do in uniform but may actually be appropriate out of uniform - you just need to key two things in mind:
1. Always be mindful of the law. If you aren't sure, don't do it.
2. Don't do anything you wouldn't want your mom to see (old version);
or, don't do anything you wouldn't want the world to see on Facebook/MySpace/Twitter (new version/Anthony Weiner warning).
Pima
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I agree about FB eagle1. I have stated this before that as much as you may think we old folks don't know how to navigate the net to the level as you younguns, but believe it or not we were young too once and know the tricks.
Understand you may have your setting set to private, but if you belong to groups and post there or on your friends page, you open a back door for others to see into you. Let me give you an example. I am not friends with my kids on FB, but I am with my nieces and nephews. My kids are friends with them too, so that allows me to see all of my kids pics. Now if you belong to a group, like your det. The CC can see your pics and posts. A picture can say a 1000 words. Trust me cadets have been caught for underage drinking that way. It is just that easy.
Understand you may have your setting set to private, but if you belong to groups and post there or on your friends page, you open a back door for others to see into you. Let me give you an example. I am not friends with my kids on FB, but I am with my nieces and nephews. My kids are friends with them too, so that allows me to see all of my kids pics. Now if you belong to a group, like your det. The CC can see your pics and posts. A picture can say a 1000 words. Trust me cadets have been caught for underage drinking that way. It is just that easy.
sg1fan93
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Just figured I' let you all know that your advice is actually listened to. This past weekend my senior class all went down to the jersey shore for a weekend of alcohol influenced times, and your posts convinced me it was bad idea to go. Good thing too, a buncg of people got citations and a few got arrested for doing stupid things. Just want to say thanks for all the info and possibly saving me haha.
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Good job, sg1fan93!!!!
Pima
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We are glad you took our advice, but I bet you are twice as glad that you did too!
Always as how much that beer or shot is worth? If it is worth a full ride scholarship take it. If not, walk away.
I think many kids will fear the loss of a friendship if they don't do it, but us old folks will tell you that if they stop calling asking you to hang out they weren't friends...they are acquaintances. Big difference.
Always as how much that beer or shot is worth? If it is worth a full ride scholarship take it. If not, walk away.
I think many kids will fear the loss of a friendship if they don't do it, but us old folks will tell you that if they stop calling asking you to hang out they weren't friends...they are acquaintances. Big difference.