NROTC Waiver Delay

kayaker

Mother of USNA Graduate (Class of 2019)
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
141
DS was awarded a NROTC scholarship and is enrolled as a college freshman, pending a waiver for history of spondylolysis. He received a waiver from USNA about one year ago. He loves his battalion experience, and it seems most of his friends are from NROTC. His unit admin says there are many waiting for waivers still. I'm assuming that if the waiver is denied, he turns in his gear and can no longer participate in battalion activities. At first I was concerned about the tuition and lack of stipend, but now I'm becoming more concerned that he could end up exiled from the activity around which his college social scene revolves, not to mention the disappointment of this path to commission coming to an end. He doesn't seem too worried about it, so maybe I shouldn't be either (except for the tuition part:smile:). Welcome any insights available on this forum.
 
My DS was given a NROTC marine option sideload scholarship this past summer. He had already had his physical the year before. However since he had LASEK surgery done this summer, he had to get that paperwork to submit. So that has been handed in over a month ago and what he's been told now it's just a matter of waiting on the waiver. so it sounds like it is a slow process. In the meantime, no scholarship funds and no stipend. But he does not appear too worried about it other than not getting that monthly check which of course he gets because it comes from me. All I can say is, try not to worry.
 
I would not worry about the waiver. It does occur that one will waiver while the other doesn't, but usually it is ROTC waiving and SAs not.

He needs to stay on top of it. Don't ask every other day, but ask maybe every other week where he stands. I.E. have they received any updates.

I also would have him check with the bursar if they have him on record as a scholarship recipient. Reason why is most colleges in the next few weeks will have them registering for spring semester. If they don't than they can do what is called in college terms a LOCK on their account. That means no registering until they get paid. It can mess with his perfect schedule for the spring.

If they don't it can be typically resolved with a letter from his unit stating he is indeed on scholarship, but the paperwork is still being processed.

OBTW, I wouldn't worry about the social aspect. Our DSs best man at his wedding was a friend that was in AFROTC with him as a freshmen, but left after that year. He lived with him from his sophomore year until he graduated. Their social group was a mixture of both traditional and ROTC students. It would only change if he decided to walk away from the friendship.
 
Thank you both for your insight. I talked about it with DS today. He said a bunch of waivers shook loose this week but not his. The admin at his unit told DS the person who was to review his waiver was on leave but that he should expect an answer in the next couple of weeks. He is very "chill" about it, so I should be too, right.

Pima, I have learned much from your posts over the last year as DS has negotiated the SA and NROTC application process. Thank you for so generously sharing.

BTW, DS is reapplying to USNA and has an interview with our Congressman's panel tomorrow...
 
Waiting is Over

All I needed to do was post something on this forum. DS's letter notifying him that NROTC waived his disqualification arrived in yesterday's mail, which I didn't look at until this morning. He came home today to the good news!
 
All I needed to do was post something on this forum. DS's letter notifying him that NROTC waived his disqualification arrived in yesterday's mail, which I didn't look at until this morning. He came home today to the good news!

Isn't it always the way? YAY! :w00t:
 
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