Boys State or NJROTC Leadership Academy?

They're on the same week and both sides are pressuring me. I jumped thru several hoops trying to get my Boys State nomination, only to (possibly) cancel it... However, NJROTC gave me the Leadership Academy nomination as a contracted spot, a promise from last year. I have to cancel one because both are on the same week. Which one will I benefit from? Boys State; "summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary for high school juniors" or Leadership Academy; "prepare cadets for the leadership role they will assume once they return to school in the fall."

I spoke to some friends about this, and I felt they're right. Unit Obligations > Extra Curricular

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

I think I will do precisely what should not be done with a question; respond with a question: what do you intend to gain from each activity?

If the NJROTC program and assuming a greater leadership role is the most important thing to you, then the answer is obvious. If gaining the experiences of Boy's State; learning about the legislative process, how that branch of government works, and being given the opportunity to work with like-minded youth from around your state, run for office, learn to present yourself (which you would learn in NJROTC too)...then perhaps Boy's State is a better choice.

If you told me your goal was to attend a service academy or to obtain an ROTC scholarship immediately following high school, then the ALO in me would kick in and recommend that you attend Boy's State. I can't speak for any other SA aside from USAFA but...for a candidate to USAFA, Boy's State will carry much more weight than an NJROTC leadership program, IMHO.

In the end, the question you need to ponder is: what program will be best for my future development; not just in high school, but beyond.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

flieger83 said:

If you told me your goal was to attend a service academy or to obtain an ROTC scholarship immediately following high school, then the ALO in me would kick in and recommend that you attend Boy's State. I can't speak for any other SA aside from USAFA but...for a candidate to USAFA, Boy's State will carry much more weight than an NJROTC leadership program, IMHO.

Click to expand...

I believe that this is true for USNA as well and would recommend this to my candidates.

Boys State Period.

RGK

Boys State

Definitely Boys State.[emoji106][emoji106]