NROTC/AROTC Help Please

ZackL

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
49
Hello all,

Before I start, I know that this is a decision that only I can make.

That being said, any input would be nice. I am in a very good situation, and I want to make the best and most informed choice.

I applied for an Army ROTC scholarship and was awarded one this past March. Before applying for the Army, I also applied for the Navy ROTC scholarship. I did not hear back from the Navy until April 30, when I was awarded a four year scholarship. In the mean time, I sort of warmed to Army (my original plan B) and went to my college for a visit day and got to know the cadre and a few cadets.

To be quite honest, I was extraordinarily surprised to get Navy. I am a tier 3 major and did not expect to get this scholarship. Navy was my original plan A, but I almost "counted it out." :help:

Do I got ahead and accept Navy, even being not sure?

Both scholarships are to my #1 school, University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign).

With all this in mind, could I please get some input from current parents of students or students in either please? How do summer training opportunities compare? What is life like within each brach? Life after (N?)ROTC?

Thank you. This is not a "woe is me" thread. I want to make the right decision for me, and I know there are so many people on here who can help me do that. Thank you so much. I appreciate it more than you know.
 
Well, from what I've seen people recommend on here when deciding between two ROTC programs/SA's, you should focus more on life after ROTC than while in it, because the military will be your job for at least a few years, if not more. Do you have remotely any idea of what you want to do in the military? Are you comfortable being on a ship? Are you wanting to do something only the Navy offers, or the Army?

Good luck; that's a good dilemma to have! :thumb:
 
Congrats man! I guess it depends on what you're wanting from your service experience. If you want combat arms, the Army would be the obvious choice. If you want to really see the world and don't mind being on ships for 6 months at a time, the Navy is the best option.

Consider what you want from your future and make that decision. The ROTC program itself (cadre, cadets) is good to consider, but it's only a stepping stone to a commission.
 
Everyone is correct. You need to make the choice based on what you want to do after you graduate. You stated Navy was your original plan A. What changed besides AROTC offered the scholarship first? Why was Navy originally plan A? Reviewing the answers to the answers to these questions might help you sort this out.

There is training every summer with NROTC as I'm sure you know. With AROTC there may be summer training opportunities. A lot will depend on how you do in AROTC, but others more expert than I can expand on that. So far as I know the only required AROTC summer training is LDAC.
 
ZackL,

Everyone has hit on the most important thing, look past school and ROTC to what you want to do in the military.

There are a few givens:

If you want to fly jets or fixed wing, then go Navy.
If you want to fly Helicopters then go Army.
If like being by the water and being on a ship/sub....Navy
If you want to get dirty and play in the mud....Army

The Army has more branches within it's service then the Navy.
The Navy has more technical opportunities, well maybe not more but different.

If you want to be in Intel then the Army will get you there quicker.

I guess the big question is what do you want to do when you grow up. Don't worry about that too much, I'm still deciding myself.

Your in a great situation, I can only really give you one piece of wisdom. There is no wrong answer or decision, once you make your decision you will then put all your effort into what your doing and never look back. To you it will be the best decision you could make, no matter what you choose.
 
What is your major? Were you wanting to utilize your major in the military? Do both have jobs where you could use your major? More questions but you have the answers. Good luck!
 
NROTC is guaranteed active duty while AROTC is not (unless you are G2G ADO which applies to 0.0000001% posters on here)

I will say that as long as you are not a complete bust in AROTC you will get AD but maybe not the branch you want.
 
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Hello all,

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I think it's starting to be clear based on some things.

My major is journalism (with emphasis on public affairs). Honestly, I am not dead set on using my major in the military. I chose journalism because it will provide a great foundation for public affairs and communicating well. Too put it simply, I don't need to be a Navy or Army writer or anything to be happy.

Navy was my plan A because I liked the opportunity. I wanted to see the world on ships or subs. I wanted to be around the ocean and serve that way.

This is getting clearer the more I write....thanks guys...
 
Just remember, there won't be a lot to see from a sub.

Oh one more thing, the Navy Whites do look nice.
 
Hello all,



My major is journalism (with emphasis on public affairs). Honestly, I am not dead set on using my major in the military. I chose journalism because it will provide a great foundation for public affairs and communicating well. Too put it simply, I don't need to be a Navy or Army writer or anything to be happy.

Oh wow, you are lucky to have gotten a NROTC scholarship with that major, congrats!
 
Oh wow, you are lucky to have gotten a NROTC scholarship with that major, congrats!

I know. That's why I was so surprised. AD is what I want to do. I want the military to be my career for at least my service commitment and possibly more. I feel as though I can say this, having grown up surrounded my military culture in my family.

As far as my desires for jobs go, I really would be interested in something like public affairs or some sort of policing/security work. From what I have seen, the Navy would be the much faster route to public affairs (where my degree would be).

And yes, all the Navy uniforms look nice :smile:
 
ZackL -

Welcome to U of I and Congrats on winning the "last one to be notified" award. LOL

My user name comes from my daughter being notified on April 29th last year about her NROTC award to U of I. She is in her freshman year at U of I NROTC and is enjoying it. More importantly - she is also a Tier 3 major, and her Navy advisor has been helpful in many ways.

I do not have a military background like many of the posters here - so for advice on service after college - I can not offer any thoughts.

But I can say that the NROTC group at U of I seems to be organized and enjoyed by the midshipmen. Oh And I have heard that the guys team could really use a good soccer player!
 
As far as my desires for jobs go, I really would be interested in something like public affairs or some sort of policing/security work. From what I have seen, the Navy would be the much faster route to public affairs (where my degree would be).

And yes, all the Navy uniforms look nice :smile:

From what I've heard, public affairs officers only usually come out of OCS...NROTC is pretty much just unrestricted line officers (SWO, aviation, EOD, NFO, subs, special warfare). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
From what I've heard, public affairs officers only usually come out of OCS...NROTC is pretty much just unrestricted line officers (SWO, aviation, EOD, NFO, subs, special warfare). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Okay. Just wondering about how it all works still. Unrestricted line officer is A OK.

And to Gettingmoregreyhair--thats awesome! If you feel comfortable with it, could you ask her to message me on facebook so I can ask a few questions about life in the unit? PM me if you think that's okay. If not, no issue!


Zack
 
My son, who also had almost the same username as you, just made the same tough decision. He ultimately decided to take his NROTC scholarship and decline AROTC (to a very nice private school), and a prep school spot at a SA. As near as I can tell, the deciding factor was active duty and summer cruises. He also is the son of a Navy nurse and Marine officer, so that might have had something to do with it. I think that just choosing to serve, and lead as an officer, is a great choice. Pick one and don't look back.
 
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