NROTC at Citadel vs. VMI

JohnPaulJones

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Messages
80
Does anyone have any insight to the difference of the unit/training at the NROTC programs of the Citadel and VMI?
 
Very little and not enough to make a decision for you. You should be making your decision based on the schools themselves. It is IMHO a mistake to let the ROTC program drive your decision- they have POIs that are dictated to them and they turn over every 3-4 years so if you use the ROTC program at any school- SMC or otherwise- you are letting the tail really wag the dog. Instead look at what you want from both of those schools, the differences and similarities of Cadet life, as well as location, academics and financial considerations and how they feel to you after a visit to both and then decide.
 
Last edited:
Agree with Bruno, ROTC programs fluctuate too much to let that even remotely be considered part of your decision.

Citadel and VMI are very similar schools, choose which one fits you the best: you'll either like SC or VA better, one will be cheaper, or one will offer a more appealing major. Use that to determine which school you choose. Also, are you applying for the NROTC scholarship or are you opting to earn a contract or scholarship after you get to school?
 
both excellent schools and excellent programs. Both schools among the top producers of Marine Officers as well as Navy commissions. The one advantage The Citadel probably has over VMI is their MECEP program which means the cadets are being mentored by experienced NCOs who have many years serving in the fleet and in many cases combat. They certainly bring a unique perspective to the detachment and their experience and leadership are an invaluable training tool.
 
The Citadel vs VMI NROTC

John Paul Jones:

Agree with all of the above posts - compare the academic opportunities, scholarships, and campus atmosphere at both colleges and make your decision on this basis. The ROTC programs at Senior Military Colleges are run by active duty military - and DOD - so they each have their missions dictated by DOD instructions not the college. This said, The Citadel NROTC unit is clearly oriented to the Marine Corps option Cadets. As someone mentioned, The Citadel was the first NROTC unit to offer the MECEP program for competitive enlisted Marines to earn their commissions. The MECEP's duty station is the NROTC detachment where they participate and enhance the unit's training with their considerable active duty experiences. This is an asset that Cadets looking to the Marine Corps repeatedly say they value. If interested, you can learn the history of The Citadel's association with the US Marine Corps that dates back to before WWI, by reading the feature article in Leatherneck Magazine at the following: http://www.citadel.edu/root/images/OEA/Leatherneck_01_11_citadel.pdf
 
Just for the purpose of educating lurkers, all ROTC units are run by active duty personnel. Also, NROTC MECEPS participants are not limited to the Citadel, or even SMCs. Many units have MECEP folks, some have quite a few on a per capita basis. (Not to take away anything from the Citadel's accomplishments here).
 
Does anyone have any insight to the difference of the unit/training at the NROTC programs of the Citadel and VMI?

The Navy ROTC program at VMI is excellent.

Yes, it is small. Yes, ARMY ROTC usually has all the resources.

HOWEVER, if you look at it from a quantifiable, statistical stance: VMI has commissioned Navy Seals consistently. Year after year.

Want to fly?
VMI NROTC has commissioned pilots in the Navy, consistently. Year after year.

Interested in subs/nuke program?
Definitely major in Mechanical Engineering or even Physics!

Thus, pound for pound, VMI NROTC is an INCREDIBLE program that is out-performing the bigger NROTCs.


At the end of the day, RAH VIRGINIA MIL'.
 
On the inside

Hopefully I can provide you with some insight. I'm Citadel class of 2017 and a NROTC scholarship recipient. Obtaining a contract to either school is no simple task. It basically comes down to the needs of each school. I earned mine with the option for several great schools including VMI but The Citadel was the best choice in my opinion. I love our program and we're provided with a lot of great opportunities. Personally I think The Citadel is the better choice, my friend at VMI tells me all about his experience and while mine has been much tougher, it has been much more rewarding. The 4th class system from each school differs vastly but it will play a significant role in your NROTC program. From what I can tell VMI's will end at the end of first semester, the drawback is they have extremely restricted media and internet use. The Citadel's 4th class system last through April, and while we get full internet, that's a whole extra semester of hell. And for all of the arguments above this about rankings and commissioning percentages and what not, we were ranked #1 public school by U.S. news. Only one of these schools started the civil war....... but either way you'll make a great decision. VMI is an incredible school, but I love my Alma Mater.
 
JohnPaulJones

JPJ,
I agree with the others who wrote "don't choose the program, choose the school." But I'd also add that you should "choose the graduates."
1. I can't speak to the toughness of other programs, but you would be hard pressed to find a tougher Marine or other branch service program than VMI.
2. In terms of famous Marines, I know Chesty Puller spent time at VMI and VMI has graduated more Marine Corps Generals, including 2 Marine Corps Commandants. General John A. LeJeune was VMI's Superintendent! Which famous USMC generals went to the citadel? Also, 6 recipients of the Medal of Honor were VMI graduates... the citadel has none.
3. I'd also add that you should remain flexible after you've made your decision. You may start out in the Marine program and find out later that Army or Air Force is where you want to serve. Again, in both Army and Air Force programs I think of VMI graduates like 5-star General George Marshall or Air Force Chief of Staff General Johnny Jumper.
 
JPJ

Again JPJ,
Choose the schools and graduates...
Good Luck!
 
and consider whose cadets and alumni have more modesty and manners.
 
M&Ms (Modesty and Manners!)

JPJ,
If modesty and manners hold a great deal of importance to you, then by all means watch out for folks who say things like 'put a sock in it' and act like they have the market cornered on manners or modesty.:yllol:
In the end, take a broad look at the school, its location, and the quality and accomplishments of its alumni...
In the end, you'll make the right call.
 
dude, you're a real piece of work. Not the most outstanding example of your school.
 
Again JPJ,
Choose the schools and graduates...
Good Luck!

Dropping a few names from 70+ years ago doesn't have much to do with selecting a school.

Any school can drop names,
Gen. Colin Powell - City University AROTC
Gen. James Amos (Current MC Commandant) - University of Idaho NROTC

Don't look at famous grads as a reason to select a school, look for a school that you will fit well with, a school where you see yourself succeeding.
 
Dropping a few names from 70+ years ago doesn't have much to do with selecting a school.

Any school can drop names,
Gen. Colin Powell - City University AROTC
Gen. James Amos (Current MC Commandant) - University of Idaho NROTC

Don't look at famous grads as a reason to select a school, look for a school that you will fit well with, a school where you see yourself succeeding.

The true way to pick a college is to look at their mascot and think "could my mascot kill your mascot?" If the answer is no, don't pick them.
 
Get a life

dude, you're a real piece of work. Not the most outstanding example of your school.

bob80q--a stellar example of the citadel you are... :thumb: and speaking of stellar examples,how about we share the stellar example of the NROTC/citadel grad that ran the summer kids camp at the citadel... Why was that camp shut down again?
Now that's a big difference between the schools...

Back to the point, JPJ was asking for differences between the programs. Although there are some similarities, there are also some big differences. Location, student body size and consistency, all-military or military+civilian+mecep, and the quality of it's graduates--These are all factors to consider when formulating a decision.
Again JPJ, in the end you'll make the right decision... I'd just recommend you stay away from any summer camps at the citadel!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top