Well Regarded NROTC Units

F

Future Jarhead

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Jul 3, 2018
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Hello all,
I am currently a high schooler going into junior year, and I have a strong desire to join the Corps as an Officer through NROTC. Of course, this is a long process, the actual application of which I will start in January, but before that, I would like to do as much research as possible. I’ve already done a vast amount, but where my deficit comes is comparing the different units. While ultimately, I will choose a college based on several other factors, I would also like to take into consideration the success, reputation, and characteristics of different NROTC Units. If anyone could shed some light to this topic, it would be greatly appreciated, thank you all!!
 
To add more specifically, some universities I’m looking at closely are the u of Wisconsin Madison, and u of Michigan Ann Arbor. In addition to the question posed above, how do these two u it’s stack up?
 
Choose the college and unless their program is a mess I wouldnt worry too much about it. The other issue is that those running the programs do leave after a while so what they had previously isnt what you are going to get when you arrive there. My sons AFrotc Colone left early in his Junior. His replacement did a great job but that isnt always the case
 
Agree with Humey. Choose the COLLEGE first then all things being equal take the unit into consideration. As Humey said, the cadre changes periodically so you cannot count on the PNS being there for the duration.

Focus on the college where you fit in the most. That is critical!
 
Agree with above. Wherever you go you'll be studying the same NROTC curriculum, leadership roles, and training, as the rest of the country. The other differences are somewhat minor. For example my son was a Marine Option at University of South Carolina. Due to their proximity to Parris Island they would have a long training weekend there each semester. Also, since Army's Ft Jackson was just a 15 minute drive they did some training there on Lab Days using the Leadership Course and Obstacle Course. Each school will have some minor advantages in some way. They all turn out officers of the same caliber. It's the leadership experience that counts most.

You should meet with each unit and also hopefully spend some time with a Midshipman. You'll get a good idea of the nit from that visit.
 
Choose the college for the college and what it offers you academically, etc. However, if you have equal interest in several schools, then perhaps there might be an NROTC unit that you may prefer over another. Embrace the journey, and keep your options open. You might end up at a school that you’ve never imagined. Best wishes!!
 
While I agree with everything stated above I will say that some schools make a stronger commitment to the rotc units then others for example when I visited Boston university I was told that they provide their d1 training staff to all rotc students to help them train.
 
GHTeam said:
Choose the college for the college and what it offers you academically, etc. However, if you have equal interest in several schools, then perhaps there might be an NROTC unit that you may prefer over another. Embrace the journey, and keep your options open. You might end up at a school that you’ve never imagined. Best wishes!!
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This is great advice. DS applied and got into many schools, and visited most of them. Visited Texas A&M, Miami University, Ohio St., Purdue and last trip was to RPI and PSU. He absolutely fell for the RPI campus, size of the student body, cancelling his Penn St. trip. Get out to see as many different campuses and units as you possibly can.
 
I agree with all the above. When it comes to ROTC you want to pick a school first. That being said, Texas A&M is the largest NROTC in the country right now and has been a great program for many years. I can only speak from my experiences though. At the end of the day whererever you end up will *hopefully* be a great experience and they all produce the same thing; commissioned Ensigns and 2nd Lieutenants
 
@JAGman while you agree with picking the school first, you chose one of the very few exceptions to that rule! Texas AnM is a corps of cadets school, and i would strongly recommend not going there unless you understand what the corps aspect is like. It plays a major part in your rotc and schooling life, and you have to want it. Great school though.
 
Traditional military colleges like VA Tech and Texas A&M are located within a major state university. Their cadets are able to experience the best of both worlds.
 
lucky8 said:
@JAGman while you agree with picking the school first, you chose one of the very few exceptions to that rule! Texas AnM is a corps of cadets school, and i would strongly recommend not going there unless you understand what the corps aspect is like. It plays a major part in your rotc and schooling life, and you have to want it. Great school though.
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I would have assumed that the Corps of Cadets portion at A&M went with picking a school since it is required there... But I do apologise for not clarifying. Thank you for doing so
 
Pick the school that feels best to you. It is where you will thrive. Some will do better at larger or smaller schools and same with NROTC units. Pick what feels right to you and makes sense financially. Also, look at success rates of scholarship Mids. If you don’t get a scholarship, what unit has a track record of helping achieve advanced standing or scholarships along the way. With all that being said... some units have great reps. Notre Dame is one that jumps out. Texas A&M, is you want to be in the Corps. RPI, Penn State, Purdue, San Diego State, Washington are some others that turn out solid officers year after year. Remember the staff will turn over at least once in your 4 years if not twice.
 
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