NROTC College Programmer

After not receiving the scholarship this year, I have decided continuing pursue either a 3 year scholarship, either at my first or second choice. When you join the college program, does anyone know if you have to immediately choose between Navy or Marine option? Or do you only choose once you are accepted? If I choose Marine option, does it change what courses I plan on taking freshman year?

Also I am seeing a lot of talk about a "sideload" on the forum. What exactly is a sideload? How is it different from a 3 year scholarship? Does it only apply to Navy or Marines?

You can still apply for the 4 year scholarship as well...

My opinion is that you better have decided in your heart and being what branch before you start -- especially if there is any desire to be Marine Option. Your sincerity will be evaluated.

Here is a post I wrote after my son didn't receive the 4 year scholarship out of high school for Marine Option. He did receive the 4 year as a college programmer, however.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...ats-interviews-intangibles.46248/#post-456594

As @rocatlin stated, you can reapply for the 4 year scholarship starting now. The advice in other threads on this topic has been to wait until you have started your freshman year and have been participating in the unit as a college programmer before actually submitting that application, so that unit staff can do your officer interview and write you a recommendation. For that you would obviously have to decide Navy or Marine option. You would be competing again high school seniors and other college freshmen who did not receive the scholarship this year. Per another recent thread that touched on this topic, you do not have to declare Navy or Marines right away when you join as a college programmer. The first year Naval Science classes are the same, but if you plan to go Navy, you should be looking at the physics and calculus requirements and the Marines PT standards are different, so it would probably be a good idea to have an idea which interests you more. The freshman adviser at the unit can give you more guidance there.

If you do not receive the 4 year scholarship, you can apply for the 3 year scholarship beginning the spring of your freshman year. If you don't get that, you can apply for the 2 year scholarship as a sophomore. Both of these are what are referred to as "sideload" scholarships. They are also a national competition, but you are only competing against other college program midshipmen.

Actually, despite what's mentioned above, you do need to make a selection of Marine or Navy when you first enroll but you are not tied to that selection until you win a scholarship or advanced standing. The reason is Navy Lab and PT. If you select Marine option you will spend your lab time as part of Semper Fi and do Marine things in lab. If you pick Navy you'll be doing Navy things in lab. Also, it probably varies by unit, but some units have Marines PT together and separate from Navy options... PT is different for Marines at least at some schools.

Academics might also be an issue. Naval Science classes do not diverge until sophomore year, so you're OK there... but If you're a Navy Option you will need to take 2 semesters of Calculus and 2 semesters of Calculus based Physics. It's a good idea, but not required, to get started on that freshman year as getting good grades in Calc will help a scholarship application. Not having tackled it yet might hold you back, as I'm sure the board would like to see how you're doing in Calc. Of course if you're planning on taking these subjects anyway then there is really no academic reason to decide prior to sophomore year. As I say, it's not required you jump on Calc right away and there is no reason you couldn't pursue it in any case. Depending on how you like math it might help make a decision.

If you change your mind about which option you pursue you can do so without going before a board as long as you haven't won a scholarship or advanced standing.

In addition to what @kinnem wrote.
For the Navy option a tech major (tier 1 or 2) will dramatically increase your chances of getting a scholarship, so that will have an additional impact on your class choices.

In addition you can re-apply for the NROTC 4-year scholarship once again as an incoming freshman. Start the application now, but complete it after you have joined the unit in the fall and have met with your NROTC advisor. https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/a-new-beginning.55208/

rocatlin said:

You can still apply for the 4 year scholarship as well...

My opinion is that you better have decided in your heart and being what branch before you start -- especially if there is any desire to be Marine Option. Your sincerity will be evaluated.

Here is a post I wrote after my son didn't receive the 4 year scholarship out of high school for Marine Option. He did receive the 4 year as a college programmer, however.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...ats-interviews-intangibles.46248/#post-456594

Click to expand...

I read that post and it is inspiring me to reapply for the Navy option one. I'm an upcoming freshman Cadet at VA Tech. I finished everything on the online application. Do I wait to submit it or wait until I join the unit?

Wcyeung123 said:

I read that post and it is inspiring me to reapply for the Navy option one. I'm an upcoming freshman Cadet at VA Tech. I finished everything on the online application. Do I wait to submit it or wait until I join the unit?

Click to expand...

I would not want to submit the application until after you have reviewed it with someone (preferably the freshman advisor) from you NROTC unit. So, since you are so far along, why not call the officer incharge of freshman at your new battalion and ask their advice. I would not submit it until someone in your new chain of command said it was good to go.

5Day said:

Wcyeung123 said:

I read that post and it is inspiring me to reapply for the Navy option one. I'm an upcoming freshman Cadet at VA Tech. I finished everything on the online application. Do I wait to submit it or wait until I join the unit?

Click to expand...

I would not want to submit the application until after you have reviewed it with someone (preferably the freshman advisor) from you NROTC unit. So, since you are so far along, why not call the officer incharge of freshman at your new battalion and ask their advice. I would not submit it until someone in your new chain of command said it was good to go.

Click to expand...

He told me that it was completely up to me whether to submit it now, I'm just contemplating on what to do now?