Contracting advice

Any advice on the best ways to receive a contract? Anything that can help and make me stand out.

Well, where are you in life? Are you a high school senior still trying to get a scholarship? or maybe you're asking with the intent to join ROTC as a non-scholarship cadet? I'll assume/guess it's the latter because then the question makes more sense.

I'd suggest showing up on day 1 at your ROTC orientation in the best physical condition you've ever been in your entire life. Start running and doing sit-ups and push-ups every chance you get. Show up clean shaven with a proper haircut and no earrings (believe it or not, my son's unit had 3-4 show up wearing studs on the 1st day of freshman orientation). Then, work your tail off in class and volunteer for all the extra-curricular activities and/or events you can without effecting your GPA.

I'm actually prior service navy and am not really concerned with the scholarship portion but rather the commissioning. I'm probably in the best shape although I should probably run a little more.

jgr626 said:

I'm actually prior service navy and am not really concerned with the scholarship portion but rather the commissioning. I'm probably in the best shape although I should probably run a little more.

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Hear ya' but still agree with k2rider. Being prior Navy should give you a leg up but don't take it for granted.

kinnem said:

Hear ya' but still agree with k2rider. Being prior Navy should give you a leg up but don't take it for granted.

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I don't plan on it. This is something that I really want. The fact that I'm 26 shouldn't hurt me right?

jgr626 said:

I don't plan on it. This is something that I really want. The fact that I'm 26 shouldn't hurt me right?

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It might. The Seaman to Admiral program generally requires that you commission prior to your 27th birthday. Of course you aren't part of that program but I would recommend you consult with the cadre at the college you plan on attending or otherwise research it. Also NROTC requirements are "Not less than 17 years old by Sept. 1 of year starting college and no more than 23 on December 31 of that year"

jgr626 said:

I don't plan on it. This is something that I really want. The fact that I'm 26 shouldn't hurt me right?

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Not sure about NROTC but in my son's unit, the #1 cadet in his class is a prior service soldier that is 25 years old. He is contracted and will commission in 2016, barring something crazy happening.

k2rider said:

Not sure about NROTC but in my son's unit, the #1 cadet in his class is a prior service soldier that is 25 years old. He is contracted and will commission in 2016, barring something crazy happening.

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Does your son have any advice for me? I will take any advice I can get