Didn't someone post a while back that there is a certain number of cadets that each SMC can commission every year. It seems like they linked an article from Norwich that said every year they have to turn away students that were thinking they would commission. In which case wouldn't being a contracted cadet on scholarship be a plus (as long as you were decent on the internal OML)
This is great info. What are some of the major issues that would cause a SMC Cadet not get approved for active duty. How many cadets do you think lose out and do you think because cuts backs they are cutting qualified candidates? I just dont know how bad it is out there.
Dogstar,Not sure how this works but some advice would be great. My son got accepted to Norwich University Core of Cadets which was his first choice of schools. He has always been interested in becoming a Army officer. Right now he is a senior at private military high school with JROTC and has done well. Norwich has given him a generous Merit Scholarship and with some small amount of financial aid his four years there will be paid in full. He applied for his ROTC Scholarship and now just has to interview. My question is will he loose his Merit Scholarship if he chooses a ROTC Scholarship. That's one concern. He also wants to commission as an officer when he graduates. Can you combine the two? Will he loose out if he uses Merit Scholarship till he's a junior an then apply for a two year ROTC Scholarship? Any advice on what's the best way for him to achieve what's he wants-
Thanks All
No, it's not the norm. No one is going to get a contract not being able to pass the AFPT and/or with a 1.7 GPA. And it will be tough to stay in the Corp of Cadets. Most achieving a 1.7 GPA will not want to stay (Norwich); tuition is pretty pricey!Heck, that stuff sometimes happens at the SA's as well. No institution is immune to this stuff.
I have no doubt virtually every program has seen kids fail AFPT, have poor grades, honor violations and even trouble with the law, but is it the norm to allow these folks to hang around until they are juniors? I know nothing about SMC's, almost nothing about SA's and am only beginning to understand AROTC but I am under the impression these specific items/cadets would be dealt with quickly and severely in AROTC. Not to pick on SMC's, as I'm sure the vast majority of cadets graduating are excellent junior officers. My point is if this type of behavior is being condoned for their cadets and these cadets are graduating and then recommended for an AD slot then it may be time for the law to be changed so as to make the playing field more fair and take the decision out of the hands of one person (PMS).
Sadly, not enough. As long as you're not a complete $%^$bag you'll get what you want.