Getting lost in the process

AdamsMom18

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2012
Messages
26
My DS has applied for an AROTC and an NROTC scholarship, has applied to USMA and USAFA and received a nomination from his MOC for those academies. He has applied and been accepted to The Citadel and VMI. He has also applied to 2 instate schools and 2 out of state schools. We are very much lost in this process. I have posted in a couple of different threads trying to get an idea of what we should be doing now, but thought I would put all of the information I have in one spot and ask for some help! In looking in these forums, I came across some posts that stated that he should be in contact with the PMS at his chosen school. He had emailed for information, but beyond that had had no "official" contact with any PMS other than the one with whom he interviewed for the scholarship process. He has since emailed all of the prospective schools ROTC departments to introduce himself. (He has received a reply from one PMS saying he would recommend him for a national scholarship? And that when the ROTC board reviewed his file, it would check to see if his chosen school had recommended him. This is the first I had heard of this.) As we wait, what else should he be doing? Any suggestions?
 
Make sure your son enjoys senior year. He only gets one.
Just seems like alot of these kids and parents on here forget that......college is important and these schools and scholarships are no joke, but it's nothing that should outright consume 1/4 (or in many cases much more) of someones high school career Keep in contact with those important folks, but don't make stalking your email your #1 priority. Stay aware and present, but bask in the temporary joy of a done to-do list. Because it is temporary, I promise.
Let your son finally muster up the courage to ask that girl he's liked since the 9th grade to prom, or let him and his high school buds have a few more big get togethers before they all move on....
Live a little while you can :)
 
A's mom: has he been referred for a medical yet? Or completed it? Is he playing a winter sport? Have him focus on getting good grades as the academies want a 7 semester transcript. This has been difficult for my DS, as senioritis is setting in and I can tell the effort is slipping a bit! DS is not playing a winter sport at school, but works out with the track coach in the weight room a few times a week to stay in shape.
Feel free to PM me if you want - I know I did that with a few moms along the way and it really helped!
 
I would suggest not contacting PMSs. Some of them are real nice, and will be helpful, but they are busy people. There is a Recruiting Officer at every Battalion that is probably your best point of contact. If you are trying to contact PMS's directly, especially at an SMC you probably aren't hearing back.
Two suggestions for what to do while you wait.
1. Schedule some visits to the schools on your list. And during that visit stop in to the ROTC programs.
2. Take up running, and everytime you feel anxious about the process put on your running shoes, grab your son, and go for a nice long run.
 
Thanks so much for the advice. He has completed his DoDMERB physical, getting a remedial for records, which we have sent. He has spearheaded his application process and feel it has been a bit overwhelming for him, so we are trying to help as best we can. He has emailed the ROTC coordinators so I will advise him to leave it at that. He and his father are planning a road trip for tours. I agree with trying to enjoy these last months of high school and maybe hearing it from a peer instead of his mom will have more of an impact. He is concentrating on school and not running track, but still is on his JROTC drill team as a commander. However he is a distance runner at heart and runs regularly (I could never keep up)! Thanks again for the support. We are lucky to have so many fine young people willing and eager to serve their country!
 
Schedule some visits to the schools on your list. And during that visit stop in to the ROTC programs.

+1 to this, this is great advice. I did this last winter during the waiting period and it really helped choose which school I would most likely want to attend. It was also nice to meet the cadre from each battalion and learn what each school's respective ROTC programs are all about. I think they also like to see your interest in the program, so definitely look into a visit.
 
Back
Top