My Story

I wanted to share my story, not to brag, but to show that you should never give up hope. I had completely given up hope and learned very quickly that there is always a chance for you to succeed.

I had pretty bad grades in high school (3.4 GPA) and I applied for a navy ROTC scholarship. While my ACT was ok (30 composite but 25 math), I knew my GPA was on the low end of the spectrum. Unfortunately, I was not selected for a scholarship(perhaps partially because of my tier 3 major but my grades definitely played a factor). I decided to join a Navy ROTC unit as a college programmer anyways because I so very badly wanted to be in the Navy even if the weren't going to pay for school. This year (my freshman year of college) I reapplied for a 4 year scholarship. I applied in June instead of late November like last time and had pulled my grades up a bit so I thought I stood a better chance. Once again I did not receive one and I was crushed. But I decided I still wanted to stay in the unit. As the top college programmer in my class, the unit officers sent an application for me for a 3 year scholarship. Very few have been given out the past few years and I knew I had a very slim chance of receiving one. Sure enough, the commanding officer of the unit pulled me aside and told me I did not receive a scholarship. I was crushed and on the verge of tears. I was strongly considering dropping the program as it seemed obvious the Navy did not want me. Three days later, however, the CO pulls me aside again and tells me they only read one of the two pages listed scholarship winners and I had in fact received one. That day was one of the best days of my life. I called my father, who had no idea how he would be paying for all his kids to go to college, and told him he didn't have to worry about me anymore. I had everything covered.

I learned from this situation that I should always have hope and never believe I am not good enough for something. You just have to keep improving yourself as it is never too late to follow your dream.

Good luck to everyone out there! I wish you the best of luck in apps, ROTC, college, and beyond.

Awesome story! Good for you!!

Congratulations! I always like to hear when hard work and perseverance pays off.

Congratulations! Well deserved.

It's wonderful to know you didn't give up and that your persistence has been rewarded.

However, I can't say as how I'm impressed by the reading skills or diligence of whoever took three days to get from page 1 to page 2 of the notice.

EDelahanty said:

It's wonderful to know you didn't give up and that your persistence has been rewarded.

However, I can't say as how I'm impressed by the reading skills or diligence of whoever took three days to get from page 1 to page 2 of the notice.

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Parent Delahanty, I had the same thought. AND it took someone three days to figure it out!

Well, we all know the Navy isn't the best at communication! And thanks everyone!

I too did a 3 days? Does your NCOIC still have a behind that doesn't resemble hamburger meat?

Congrats scutrules!

One thing I will say, not taking anything away from scut, military careers are not just about what you know, it is also about timing.

There will be many hearts broken come next spring, but it is important to keep the faith. Sometimes, it is nothing more than timing. This will not only happen regarding scholarships. but also career fields and promotions. A yr earlier or later the results may have been different. Keep the faith!

You're telling me? I was crushed for three days!

I completely agree with you Pima, many people told me that had I been born a few years earlier I would have been perfect for x scholarship or y opportunity. But being born and commissioning that much earlier, while maybe guaranteeing a scholarship, may have also guaranteed a deployment to Afganistan. Every generation has its good and bad!

You are getting wisdom under that belt of yours. Here is line, I tell my two kids all the time.

"It is not about dreaming. It is about setting goals and setting objectives to achieve those goals. That is hard work and that is how success is achieved."

Best of luck,

RGK