ROTC Branch Change

M

MP101

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Apr 18, 2023
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My DS was a 4 year scholarship winner at his college choice for both AROTC and NROTC. He chose Army bc he really wasn’t sure of what he wanted in the future (17 yrs old) and felt Army had the most flexibility. He is liking it and made great friends etc…. But feeling that he may want to become a nuclear engineer (amazing how they change in just a few months) which we know is really more suited towards Navy. Asking for advice on what he should do.. We know since he is a scholarship winner, he is in a tough position . He plans to speak to the Navy Cadre at the school. Realistically, has anyone ever heard of this situation and if there is any possibility of his NROTC scholarship being reinstated, or would he have to go through the entire process again ?
 
To help answer the question, did he formally decline the NROTC scholarship?
 
Ah OK. So, assuming this is all happening at the same university, it is a process nicknamed "green to blue". It is best to check with the NROTC team first and see what their process is. He would need to recompete for the Navy 3 year sideload scholarship but he would be competitive assuming he has a solid GPA and good fitness scores. If an engineering major he would be a Tier 1 applicant which helps.

But he needs to make sure he knows what he wants. He cannot go back once he leaves. And there is no guarantee of a Navy sideload but the chances are above average if he received an offer the previous year.
 
GWU PNS (emeritus) said:
Ah OK. So, assuming this is all happening at the same university, it is a process nicknamed "green to blue". It is best to check with the NROTC team first and see what their process is. He would need to recompete for the Navy 3 year sideload scholarship but he would be competitive assuming he has a solid GPA and good fitness scores. If an engineering major he would be a Tier 1 applicant which helps.

But he needs to make sure he knows what he wants. He cannot go back once he leaves. And there is no guarantee of a Navy sideload but the chances are above average if he received an offer the previous year.
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Thank you so much for this feedback. He is an engineering major and yes all at the same University . He will be speaking with the NROTC cadre. He needs to think long and hard during the semester break. I may come back to you… your help is very much appreciated!
 
MP101 said:
Thank you so much for this feedback. He is an engineering major and yes all at the same University . He will be speaking with the NROTC cadre. He needs to think long and hard during the semester break. I may come back to you… your help is very much appreciated!
Click to expand...
GWU PNS (emeritus) said:
Ah OK. So, assuming this is all happening at the same university, it is a process nicknamed "green to blue". It is best to check with the NROTC team first and see what their process is. He would need to recompete for the Navy 3 year sideload scholarship but he would be competitive assuming he has a solid GPA and good fitness scores. If an engineering major he would be a Tier 1 applicant which helps.

But he needs to make sure he knows what he wants. He cannot go back once he leaves. And there is no guarantee of a Navy sideload but the chances are above average if he received an offer the previous year.
Click to expand...
Hi , hoping you can do a refresh with our situation.

My son spoke with an NROTC LT.(same guy he interviewed with for his NROTC scholarship). The LT. has never had anyone want to switch from AROTC to NROTC so this is going to be interesting. He told my son he will look into an “Unaffiliated Scholarship”. I believe this is different from the 2 & 3 year side load scholarships described on the NROTC website? We can’t find any details. LT. also mentioned there may be other scholarship options depending on what the process is to leave Army and recommends that my son speak with his cadre about his departure. Understandably, my son is extremely hesitant to speak of this to anyone Army affiliated until the 2nd term is completed.

Would you know if he has to disenroll from Army ROTC in order to apply for the NROTC 3 year non-affiliated side load scholarship?

Any advice / knowledge would be extremely appreciated. ☺️
 
MP101 said:
Hi , hoping you can do a refresh with our situation.

My son spoke with an NROTC LT.(same guy he interviewed with for his NROTC scholarship). The LT. has never had anyone want to switch from AROTC to NROTC so this is going to be interesting. He told my son he will look into an “Unaffiliated Scholarship”. I believe this is different from the 2 & 3 year side load scholarships described on the NROTC website? We can’t find any details. LT. also mentioned there may be other scholarship options depending on what the process is to leave Army and recommends that my son speak with his cadre about his departure. Understandably, my son is extremely hesitant to speak of this to anyone Army affiliated until the 2nd term is completed.

Would you know if he has to disenroll from Army ROTC in order to apply for the NROTC 3 year non-affiliated side load scholarship?

Any advice / knowledge would be extremely appreciated. ☺️
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He does not need to disenroll from AROTC per se to apply for NROTC, but the Army is holding all the cards when it comes to releasing him from his commitment to the Army. Depending on how he is disenrolled can affect how he is gained by NROTC if he is accepted for a scholarship. A slightly different tact would be to check with the Navy Talent Acquisition Group in your region since they likely have more experience with cross service branch scholarships.
 
GWU PNS (emeritus) said:
He does not need to disenroll from AROTC per se to apply for NROTC, but the Army is holding all the cards when it comes to releasing him from his commitment to the Army. Depending on how he is disenrolled can affect how he is gained by NROTC if he is accepted for a scholarship. A slightly different tact would be to check with the Navy Talent Acquisition Group in your region since they likely have more experience with cross service branch scholarships.
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Army may not be '...holding all the cards' in this particular instance . OP's son is an MS1, freshman, so he is not yet obligated. He can keep the Army scholarship through this academic year with no obligation. He currently has no Army service obligation or commitment and could notify them prior to starting his MS2/sophomore year that he is dropping AROTC. The cadet just needs to manage the transition professionally and understand there's likely no going back. Sounds like the cadet has a great reason to change and has thought it out.

Alternatively, Army does have some very specific, outside the norm assignments that can benefit from a Nuclear Engineering degree. See the Lawrence Livermore Lab Internships open to AROTC cadets. https://st.llnl.gov/research @MP101 - Check the section on core competencies - Nuclear science and technology.
 
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