ROTC and Co-Op opportunities

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Feb 16, 2017
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DS is still in the mix for SA appointment but is thrilled to have a great plan B, an AROTC scholarship. He is still narrowing it down between 2 great schools. Both of these schools offer Co-Op experiences and DS is definitely interested in these opportunities. Million dollar question: does ROTC conflict with taking part in Co-Ops? Are there required ROTC trainings that go on during the summer months or even during regular school semesters that might conflict? I am curious to hear from others (students or families) if DS/DD/self was able to manage both. If so, worth it & would do it again? Any feedback is helpful. Thank you!
 
It’s going to depend on the program and the school. We had a senior Cadet studying abroad in Thailand last semester. 2 years ago we had a Cadet defer his advanced camp so he could do an internship. He was planning to serve in the Reserves, so he wasn’t really risking his competitiveness for active duty, and he was lining himself up for his civilian job.

I would tell you some schools may have totally different policies, so you should inquire at both your proposed programs.
 
For AFROTC, the only required even that occurs during summer is Field Training which occurs the summer between Sophmore and Junior year. There is nothing before or after. The only other thing my son could have gone to was a summer in AFA learning to use fly gliders and I think they also have a thing for parachuting. Those you volunteer for.
 
You'd have to make up the ROTC classes during another term but it's definitely doable. I did a summer internship between my junior and senior years that turned into an off-campus project (similar to a co-op) for most of the following semester. I ended up commuting to campus two days a week at the end of the day for ROTC classes, but if you planned ahead you could definitely make it up the year before/after (if you did the co-op junior year). This was for AFROTC.
 
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