Offered a 3 year AROTC Scholarship assuming there’s funding?

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Jan 7, 2019
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I am an incoming Freshman, and unfortunately was not selected for a National AROTC or AFROTC scholarship, but was given an interesting call today. I am still on the fence about which branch I will be choosing to walk on for. The AROTC ROO of my choice school called and said that he will be putting my name in for a 3 year scholarship with cadet command if I choose to start with them in the fall, and assuming they get the funding, I will be given one. I thanked him and said that I will need to discuss the matter with my parents, and think it over a bit (which is true, as I haven’t decided on AF or Army yet). My question is, does anyone have experience with this? The reason I ask is because a different ROO lied to me earlier this year saying he knew I was being given a national scholarship in an attempt to get me to commit to his school. Is this just a recruiter trick? If not, is there a high likelihood of me getting a scholarship?
 
I'm doubt it's a recruiter 'trick' but I would point out that there is no guarantee of the scholarship. You may get it, or you may not. ROO's really have no allegiance to the school per se so I doubt anyone is trying to get you to go to their school.
 
I'm doubt it's a recruiter 'trick' but I would point out that there is no guarantee of the scholarship. You may get it, or you may not. ROO's really have no allegiance to the school per se so I doubt anyone is trying to get you to go to their school.
Out of curiosity, what would have driven that other ROO to lie to me? When confronted, he said it was “to motivate me” which doesn’t make any sense in that context.
 
Out of curiosity, what would have driven that other ROO to lie to me? When confronted, he said it was “to motivate me” which doesn’t make any sense in that context.
My DS is a newly commissioned 2LT in the Army. He earned a campus based Army ROTC scholarship during his freshman year for 3 years and it was extended another half year to 3.5 shortly after he contracted. The ROO at his college has always been straight up truthful and came through with all commitments.

ROO's are usually civilian employees who have a mission to fulfil a certain number of cadets. However, it would be very surprising to have a ROO deliberately mislead you by stating a lie. I would imagine that if Cadet Command were to learn of his "motivation" technique that it would be problematic for that ROO.
 
I would let the previous situation go, I don’t think this is typical. As far as the 3 year scholarship if there is funding. That is the ROO being very honest with you, The 3 year will go through their brigade during your freshman year to start your sophomore year. So based on whether that funding gets approved or not for a campus based is unknown, but most likely if they need you to complete their mission Andy have spots it would most likely be approved. My daughter was told the same verbiage when she was told she was being upgraded from a 3 year to a 3.5 year, that it was based on funding approval from the brigade. It was approved, but was not a guarantee.

You will also need to show up on campus, pass the APFT, be doing well in your classes, and participate fully with ROTC for them to put that forward to the brigade for approval. Here is something to consider, being awarded a campus based scholarship from any school as a freshman will hold the same “what if’s”. Including the funding. This just gives you the understanding that they are already giving you their word that they intend to recommend you as long as you do your part. Congrats, now you just have to decide if that school is right for you with or without the scholarship. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
Out of curiosity, what would have driven that other ROO to lie to me?
I'd suggest you get your medical issues resolved first before tossing around accusations of deceit. If you want to have any shot at a successful career as a commissioned officer (much less ROTC), you need to figure out how to let things go.

Manage and temper your expectations, kid. You do not need a scholarship to commission.
 
I would let the previous situation go, I don’t think this is typical. As far as the 3 year scholarship if there is funding. That is the ROO being very honest with you, The 3 year will go through their brigade during your freshman year to start your sophomore year. So based on whether that funding gets approved or not for a campus based is unknown, but most likely if they need you to complete their mission Andy have spots it would most likely be approved. My daughter was told the same verbiage when she was told she was being upgraded from a 3 year to a 3.5 year, that it was based on funding approval from the brigade. It was approved, but was not a guarantee.

You will also need to show up on campus, pass the APFT, be doing well in your classes, and participate fully with ROTC for them to put that forward to the brigade for approval. Here is something to consider, being awarded a campus based scholarship from any school as a freshman will hold the same “what if’s”. Including the funding. This just gives you the understanding that they are already giving you their word that they intend to recommend you as long as you do your part. Congrats, now you just have to decide if that school is right for you with or without the scholarship. Good luck and keep us posted!
Just to clarify, obviously I’ll want to perform as well as possible on the fitness test in the fall, but I don’t technically have to pass it until fall of my Sophomore year to get the scholarship? I will be unable to train running until late August due to an injury, and I am unsure of whether or not I’d be able to pass test after being cooped up for a few months. DODMERB is obviously another issue.
 
Out of curiosity, what would have driven that other ROO to lie to me?
I'd suggest you get your medical issues resolved first before tossing around accusations of deceit. If you want to have any shot at a successful career as a commissioned officer (much less ROTC), you need to figure out how to let things go.

Manage and temper your expectations, kid. You do not need a scholarship to commission.
I’m not really sure what you are saying? I know for a fact that a specific ROO lied to me because he said that his “personal sources” told him that “I was most definitely getting a 4 year scholarship”. It wasn’t the one that I talked to today, I was just wondering if it was possible I was being deceived again. I realize I don’t need a scholarship to commission, however if I don’t get one, the only other option for me to afford would be SMP, which I’d be fine doing but would rather not.
 
I’m not really sure what you are saying? I know for a fact that a specific ROO lied to me because he said that his “personal sources” told him that “I was most definitely getting a 4 year scholarship”. It wasn’t the one that I talked to today, I was just wondering if it was possible I was being deceived again. I realize I don’t need a scholarship to commission, however if I don’t get one, the only other option for me to afford would be SMP, which I’d be fine doing but would rather not.

I do not think I was being obtuse, but I will restate my advice in different format-- perhaps that will help.

1. Does it matter if you are being lied to again? No-- the guidance for AROTC and AFROTC is set in formal policy, not the whimsy of some random ROO. For example, AFI 36-2011 spells out the entire AFROTC program. Have you read it?
2. You've pointed out in another thread that you doubt you are capable of passing a DODMERB
3. In the same thread, you stated that your goal is to earn a commission-- you do not care which branch. In that event, why are you back stressing about scholarships again before you have even begun?
4. And, let's address the real reality here-- you got passed over for a scholarship because you fell short of other, better-suited candidates in critical areas that mattered.

Then you jumped on here and brow-beat those same candidates that earned their scholarships, which revealed a character deficit incompatible with military officers. In this very thread you continue to accuse others of misbehavior, while failing to recognize the fact that your current reality is 100% attributable to you and you alone.

That reality is on you and is something you will have to accept and overcome before you will be competitive for another scholarship. Have you taken any steps to remedying those personal areas where you are weak?

To get an ROTC scholarship at this point, you need to be a viable ROTC candidate. To be a viable ROTC candidate, you need to meet all requirements, including regularly passing the fitness test. To commission into the military, you need to successfully complete an officer training program and be medically cleared-- AND you will have to convince other officers to actually let you in (who do you think will approve and administer your commission?). You've done none of the above yet, so why even bother worrying about the moral character of others at this point?

I hope that is more clear.
 
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Just to clarify, obviously I’ll want to perform as well as possible on the fitness test in the fall, but I don’t technically have to pass it until fall of my Sophomore year to get the scholarship? I will be unable to train running until late August due to an injury, and I am unsure of whether or not I’d be able to pass test after being cooped up for a few months. DODMERB is obviously another issue.

While it is "Technically" true that you are not required to pass the APFT until the start of your sophomore year to activate a 3 tear AD Scholarship, you need to realize one thing. If the battalion is putting your name in for one of their campus 3 year scholarships you are probably not the only name they are submitting. If you show up the start of your freshman year and are unable to pass the APFT, their motivation to give you a scholarship will decrease fast. Battalions usually give these scholarships to either current cadets that have shown they are prepared to continue with the program at a high level, or to incoming cadets they feel will hit the ground running their first year. Show up unprepared and not able to pass the APFT and have your medical under control and you will look less desirable to them in regard to any scholarship offer.

The previous interaction with the ROO was most likely an anomaly. The information you are now receiving seems to follow what happens in many battalions when it comes to talk of scholarship offers.
 
I will say it again...."let it go." Period. Just let it go. You asked us, and we are saying that does not typically happen, and what you are being told now about "depends on funding" is typical and normal. We are also telling you that you have to show up and do well for them to follow through and submit the recommendation of a scholarship, so other than funding, you also have to come in ready. (during your freshman year, to start your sophomore year) I wouldn't worry about the injury part, as that will be known to them, you will have to disclose that for your DoDMERB evaluation also next year. You will also have other opportunities in the fall to pass the test. If I were you I would work to max the non-running part, and when you can train, make sure you can at least pass that part. If they will be recommending you for a scholarship, my guess is they will start DoDMERB in the fall as well, so keep good records of your injury and recovery. SMP will be there for you if this doesn't come to fruition during your freshman year, you can then approach that. I would trust that as long as you show up ready, have a good attitude and perform well in ROTC and the classroom, they will do what they are saying they will do and recommend you for a scholarship.

#1, let the other go.
 
My neighbor was awarded a 3 year campus based AROTC scholarship earlier this spring.
FWIW, the ROO required him to withdraw his national scholarship application as a condition of the offer.
 
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