Our experience

buster_sit!

5-Year Member
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Jul 29, 2013
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21
This past week my son had a college visit at a very good college of engineering school. We decided it was best to also meet with the AFROTC and NROTC since his applications for scholarship(s) are still pending with them.

AFROTC was an impressive meeting, full of information and professionalism, as well as the ability to ask the candid questions, and even some "hard questions" from a personal perspective specific to my son's potential.

HOWEVER, the NROTC meeting was awful! It was led by a guy (supposedly high ranking) who seemed to believe that he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. He offered us no information what-so-ever, and just sat leaned back in his chair and asked "What do you want to know?" When we asked him questions, his answers were rude and cocky as if we were there to genuinely waste his precious time.

Both my son and I are very personable people, and having gone through so many interviews and informational session over the past few months, we were ready to see a great impression as to WHY he should choose NROTC at this stellar college. We left with the feeling that, even if he is offered a full scholarship from NROTC to this very school, he would probably not take it.:thumbdown: If this is their best example of an officer and why their program is so good, then they have failed miserably.

We have had a few days to absorb the whole college visit, and this portion of the visit is, by far, the most negative impression we have experienced in the past few years as my son has considered being a military officer. Thankfully, my son still has pending applications with AFROTC, NROTC, MROTC, Air Force Academy, Naval Academy and West Point. He has also been accepted into the college of his choice. So, my opinion of this visit was an observation I thought worth sharing. I am not sure if anyone else has experienced this kind of thing, but I wonder why on earth they would not want to make a good impression on the visitors? It was quite strange.

Good luck to all applicants, I hope you all get what you are looking for. This waiting is indeed, the hardest part.
 
Congratulations to your son on meeting his first NCO (I kid).

Don't rule out an entire program because you spent forty five minutes with someone who rubbed you the wrong way. Think of the bigger picture.
 
Thankfully, my son still has pending applications with AFROTC, NROTC, MROTC, Air Force Academy, Naval Academy and West Point.
My children went through this a couple of years ago. My personal opinion is that you cannot judge a program or SA by whichever officer you happened to interview with at any given time. We met many VERY professional NROTC, AROTC and AFROTC officers at various colleges. We also met some not too impressive officers. I wouldn't judge any program by the luck-of-the-draw officer you happened to talk to. Keep in mind that it is very likely that whichever officers you meet during these informal interviews will likely already have moved on to their next assignment or will shortly after your son arrives.
Good Luck! :thumb:
 
I echo what was said above^. The ROTC unit I've always wanted to attend had a recruiting officer much like the one this NROTC battalion had. Made me really rethink wanting to attend this university. The AROTC battalion had a really good reputation but this guy made me second guess my drive to attend that school. Finally though just last week I went back for a visit and found he had been replaced with a new guy. This guy let me see really the inside of the battalion and I realized that the old guy was just a bad face to the battalion but inside it was the same no matter who the recruiting officer was. So having been in the same situation, my recommendation is google the battalion, look at their website, really try to understand its history and what the battalion is about, NOT what the recruiting officer is about. Thats what I did and now I'm looking forward to attending that school on scholarship and I know its the right fit for me, despite how that officer made me feel.
 
I agree that it is very regrettable that you had this experience with the NROTC Officer. Not everybody has the personality it takes to be a PR person. But I wouldn't be so quick to judge the entire program based on a single person.

When my son and I went to visit ERAU at "Sneak Preview" the officer that gave the presentation for AFROTC had ZERO personality. As the presentation was coming to an end I made some smart ass comment to Matt about what a lame that I thought he was and that whoever put him in charge obviously wasn't looking for any new "customers"...

But then he was joined by another officer. Talk about the difference between night and day. This new guy was the commanding officer and had a magnetic personality. He must have realized the vibe the presenter had given off, or maybe the guy who gave the presentation was new. Whatever the case, once the commanding officer joined in the presentation it took all of about 30 seconds to turn a disenchanted crowd into a captivated audience.

You know what they say.."They can't all be winners"..

Before permanently removing this option from your list I would suggest speaking to some..(lol I don't know what you call it for Navy....for AF it would be cadets) about the program.

From what I understand, in the military you don't get to pick and chose who you work with. The sooner that you learn to be able to deal with all different personalities , even the unpleasant ones , the quicker you will be on the right path to becoming the leader they are looking for.

You may want to find out if this person was the commanding officer. If he wasn't you might want to share your experience with somebody who can actually do something about it..the guy in charge..

I know I would.
 
Thank you!

You all bring up very valid points, and I sincerely appreciate the insight. I guess in the excitement of the college, it never really occurred to us that this particular man may not even be a part of the program when my son would be starting. These points will be talked about and analyzed...once we actually know something! Deadlines are all over the place, but we can do nothing until we have yes or no letters in hand. I know we are not alone in this anticipation. It all feels like "hurry up and wait!". But, in the end, I believe in the process and know that whatever happens, will be what is supposed to happen. :thumb:
 
You may want to find out if this person was the commanding officer. If he wasn't you might want to share your experience with somebody who can actually do something about it..the guy in charge..

I know I would.

Buster,

If your son still has any thought of attending the school and NROTC program. I would highly advise against this course of action.
 
Buster,

If your son still has any thought of attending the school and NROTC program. I would highly advise against this course of action.

You can't just leave it there! You must have a rationale! :rolleyes:
 
Kinnem...you can school me any day of the week

Jceleppe -

The poster does not need to identify himself when giving the feedback . I would think the detachment would want to know if their personnel is at fault for losing potential leaders.

Then again it's JMPO worth about .001426 cents

LOL but then again...maybe with all these budget cuts and down sizing the recruiter already has his "quota" and isn't looking for any new recruits.....
 
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Agree with all - don't judge a program by this experience.

...maybe with all these budget cuts and down sizing the recruiter already has his "quota" and isn't looking for any new recruits.....

As noted previously, staff member could have been testing the candidates interest and readiness in some strange way. He could have just been told he was passed over for the next rank or forced out. This unit could fill up every year without issue and there was no sense of needing to sell the program.

There are dozens of reasons - none good - but dozens none-the-less.

Good luck in your pursuits.
 
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