Tough Choice

Hoffy600

5-Year Member
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Nov 17, 2011
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52
Hello:

I have learned in the past two weeks that I have received both an Army ROTC and a Navy ROTC scholarship to University of Southern California.

I want to serve in both services--there are MOS's I could see myself in in either one. Nonetheless, I have to pick prior to 12/1. Can I accept both NROTC and AROTC scholarships to the same school, and then pick at a later date? Or do I get in trouble for that? I really cannot decide.

I have heard that NROTC you are guaranteed active duty and with AROTC you are not. Whichever service I choose, I w/o a doubt want to serve AD. I would hate to go AROTC and be stuck in the reserve.

Also, my NROTC is a 4 year and my AROTC is a 3 year AD. Help me out!!!!!!!
Which one?

Pat- CA 10th District :confused:
 
No brainer on the surface. What you heard about potentially serving in reserves after AROTC is correct. Also, since Navy offerred you 4 years and you seem to like both equally, I'd go Navy.

On the other hand, what do you plan to major in. What do you want to do in the service, fly? Does the thought of six months at sea make you ill? There is much more opportunity to do some things in one servise vs the other. You should make your own list of pros and cons and decide from that... or provide a lot more info about yourself if we ate going to assist here.

Also, there is another thread on thid forum and also USNA on this very topic. It's probably worthwhile to find it and read it.

We are glad to help here, but without more info its impossible.
 
Oh yeah. You must pick one. You cannot say yes to both. Have youvisited both units at the college? Perhaps that would help you sort things out. Which one feels like a better fit for you.
 
Hello:

I have learned in the past two weeks that I have received both an Army ROTC and a Navy ROTC scholarship to University of Southern California.

I want to serve in both services--there are MOS's I could see myself in in either one. Nonetheless, I have to pick prior to 12/1. Can I accept both NROTC and AROTC scholarships to the same school, and then pick at a later date? Or do I get in trouble for that? I really cannot decide.

I have heard that NROTC you are guaranteed active duty and with AROTC you are not. Whichever service I choose, I w/o a doubt want to serve AD. I would hate to go AROTC and be stuck in the reserve.

Also, my NROTC is a 4 year and my AROTC is a 3 year AD. Help me out!!!!!!!
Which one?

Pat- CA 10th District :confused:


Marist or Clarkson may be able to confirm this but I do believe you can accept both scholarships. Part of the process includes having to confirm your scholarship in May, at least for the Army. Many applicants accept the ROTC scholarship and an appointment to the academy and decide by the deadline which one to take.

I guess the big question is....do you like water or sand.

Someone may be able to answer this, as a scholarship NROTC cadet do you still have to apply for Advanced Standing before your junior year.
 
Someone may be able to answer this, as a scholarship NROTC cadet do you still have to apply for Advanced Standing before your junior year.

No. Advanced Standing only applies to College Programmers.
 
You can accept both...but read through everything very carefully and with a parent so you have a clear head sitting next to you. :biggrin: Have you visited the school and the units? This could be very helpful in your answer. My DShad similar choices and he said yes until he made up his mind. Don't hold onto it if you clearly have a first choice.

My other DS just finished the branching process for AROTC. He was above the Active Duty cut off and received his first choice...now on to requesting a post. So the answer is that you could go reserve in AROTC and you do need to pass LDAC summer prior to your Senior year.
 
Friend's DD is in NROTC (she's Nurse Option) and they were just recently told that the Nurse Options are guaranteed active duty after graduation, but the rest are no longer guaranteed active. Maybe someone else has heard this as well and will jump in here...
 
Forgot to add - DS accepted both NROTC and AROTC scholarships to the same school until he decided which was the best fit for him. He did not decide until mid-July last summer.
 
four differences that may or may not matter to you:

-ROTC is 4 year AD commitment, NROTC is 5
-NROTC requires a mid take a year each of Calculus, Chem and Physics. If you want to be a History major, and not take those 6 semesters of science, then AROTC might be better
-ROTC allows branching immediately into Military Intelligence... NROTC does not.
- NROTC has mandatory training for at least 4 weeks each summer, Army only one.

I second the questions: what major, and what activity in the miliatry is attractive to you?
 
four differences that may or may not matter to you:

-ROTC is 4 year AD commitment, NROTC is 5
-NROTC requires a mid take a year each of Calculus, Chem and Physics. If you want to be a History major, and not take those 6 semesters of science, then AROTC might be better
-ROTC allows branching immediately into Military Intelligence... NROTC does not.
- NROTC has mandatory training for at least 4 weeks each summer, Army only one.

I second the questions: what major, and what activity in the miliatry is attractive to you?

This is all correct. Just wanted to add that Marine Option (OP didn't mention which option) has no math or science requirement. Of course the college itself probably does but its conceivable they aren't specifically Calculus, Chem and Physics.
 
You can accept both and decline one at any time before school starts.

My advice: GO NAVY!

Of course I am partial!
 
You can accept both. No one is going to make you take Army or Navy classes when you come to school, so you can definitely sit on both offers as long as you want. Remember that in the meantime there will be other young Americans who are waiting for the opportunity while you make up you mind. What is it going to take for you to make up your mind. Do you think you will have a better idea of what you want after the deadline? Eventually you'll have to decide, remember that.
 
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