Questions about military colleges

usarmystrong97

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How well respected/known are senior military colleges throughout the military? (More specifically the army) How do they compare to the service academies in that respect? Are the citadel or Norwich well known?

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Your reputation in the work world, whether you're in the Army or in business, is tied to how well you performed at your most recent job. Choose an ROTC program or senior military college based on the type of college you want to attend, and then work really hard to prove yourself. It will be YOUR reputation that will follow you all the days of your life, not your school's.
 
How well respected/known are senior military colleges throughout the military? (More specifically the army) How do they compare to the service academies in that respect? Are the citadel or Norwich well known?

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I am admittedly biased, but I would say that both schools are fairly well known and similar in many regards--one in the south, one in the north. While I have experienced benefits of being a graduate of a very small and unique military institute, I somewhat agree with payitforward: "It will be YOUR reputation that will follow you all the days of your life, not your school's."
 
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The soldier is respected based on his abilities, not based on his alma matter.
 
SMCs and the Army - reputation

Agree with all the comments made on reputation of a college versus your performance. While for the Army program, SMCs can still offer contracted students active duty for their first tour, Army Cadet Command grades are what you earn - not the institution. Don't forget - General Colin Powell graduated from the City College of New York ROTC, and many other top Army generals are graduates of civilian college ROTC programs. Your selection as a DMS, your academic rank, your program of study (STEM majors are absolutely the best), and the opinion of your PMS - are what the Army Command sees when deciding on selections for branch. After you enter active duty - your immediate superior and your endorser are all that count. Has not changed since I was on active duty in the 70s. What you gain from an SMC in my view, is personal to you - it helps you further develop characteristics (most of which you already should have) and a way of life in common with others of like mind - much like any other institution with great traditions. Choose well - it is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Good Luck
 
concur w/ glen

+1 glen

SMC reputation are only as good as the individual's performance once they are commissioned

My analogy is an oft repeated saying about marksmanship: It is not the rifle but the man/woman behind it that matters.

The life lessons and immersion in a military/warriors culture at a SMC will help you once you are in the fleet/force/wing. BUT it is what you do from then on that matters.

final thought: Best advice I ever received was from a Senior NCO just after I got my Ring "Put that damn thing in a safe except for formal functions." What he was telling me was don't be a 'ring-knocker' - i.e., someone who thinks their s*** does not stink because they came from an Academy or SMC.

Don't be a "Ring-Knocker" Be a damn fine Officer that happened to graduate from a SMC. :)

Good luck.
 
Really Great Points Made on this thread. It is about what you do.

The life lessons and immersion in a military/warriors culture at a SMC will help you once you are in the fleet/force/wing. BUT it is what you do from then on that matters.

It is not how the SMC matters to others. It is what the SMC does for you. What you gain there.
DS found he gained quite a bit at Norwich.
 
Agree with all the comments made on reputation of a college versus your performance. While for the Army program, SMCs can still offer contracted students active duty for their first tour, Army Cadet Command grades are what you earn - not the institution. Don't forget - General Colin Powell graduated from the City College of New York ROTC, and many other top Army generals are graduates of civilian college ROTC programs. Your selection as a DMS, your academic rank, your program of study (STEM majors are absolutely the best), and the opinion of your PMS - are what the Army Command sees when deciding on selections for branch. After you enter active duty - your immediate superior and your endorser are all that count. Has not changed since I was on active duty in the 70s. What you gain from an SMC in my view, is personal to you - it helps you further develop characteristics (most of which you already should have) and a way of life in common with others of like mind - much like any other institution with great traditions. Choose well - it is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Good Luck

Wait so a STEM major really matters for branch selection? I just want to be a grunt or an armor/arty officer.



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At this point, no, a STEM degree will not help you branch Armor or Infantry, other than the point boost to your OML score. Some branches, such as Engineers, reserve a certain % of slots for those with engineering degrees. This isn't the case for Armor and Infantry. Not sure about FA.
 
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Will senior military colleges present more training opportunities? Such as airborne school, mountain warfare school etc.. Also you are guaranteed active duty if you choose to right?
 
SMCs often times will get more slots for summer training in total, but since their Bn sizes are typically larger than most schools, the % of cadets who get to attend isn't necessarily higher.

For Army ROTC, you are guaranteed AD if you meet the requirements. Navy is all AD. Until recently, AF was as well, but that has changed and is no longer guaranteed.
 
Will senior military colleges present more training opportunities? Such as airborne school, mountain warfare school etc.. Also you are guaranteed active duty if you choose to right?

I think the SMCs receive their pro-rated slots like every other program. They are larger programs so more cadets competing for more slots.

Active Duty
"The Secretary of the Army shall ensure that a graduate of a senior military college who desires to serve as a commissioned officer on active duty upon graduation from the college, who is medically and physically qualified for active duty, and who is recommended for such duty by the professor of military science at the college, shall be assigned to active duty."

The one thing to read in this is that PMS recomendation. Can the Army control that? Possibly.

THe SMC provides an opportunity to fully live the military lifestyle while in college. This includes non-class hours and days. This lifestyle at college can be useful in a military and non military career.

From the Norwich Site and would be the same at the other SMCs;

The Corps of Cadets prepares all students to become competent and responsible citizens. Our objective is to encourage students to become stronger and more determined leaders. During Corps leadership training, cadets confront daily challenges that define their character as future leaders. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, and support their comrades in pursuit of a common goal. Those who rise to the mental and physical challenge of life as a cadet are rewarded with useful life skills, self-confidence and self-discipline.
 
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