Parental Consent Required?

Joined
Jul 3, 2018
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42
Hello All,

If, as a minor, I apply for the NROTC Marine Option scholarship, will I need parental consent at any point in the process? I am set on the Marine Corps, but I cannot say the same for my parents, and I am unsure as to whether they will provide their consent or signature, if needed.

Thanks for any and all answers
 
When I read your question I originally couldnt think of anytime I had to sign anything for my son ( AROTC 4 year winner). But I just went back and looked and on the form accepting the scholarship there was a line for him to sign and also for parent/guardian to sign. I have no idea what would happen if your parent didnt sign or whether it matters or not if you are over 18. Good luck to you!
 
When I read your question I originally couldnt think of anytime I had to sign anything for my son ( AROTC 4 year winner). But I just went back and looked and on the form accepting the scholarship there was a line for him to sign and also for parent/guardian to sign. I have no idea what would happen if your parent didnt sign or whether it matters or not if you are over 18. Good luck to you!
Thank you for the reply, as against the whole military idea as they are, I don’t think they would hold me back from my goals, so I do not think that is a worry
 
Hello All,

If, as a minor, I apply for the NROTC Marine Option scholarship, will I need parental consent at any point in the process? I am set on the Marine Corps, but I cannot say the same for my parents, and I am unsure as to whether they will provide their consent or signature, if needed.

Thanks for any and all answers

If you are still a minor at the time, you will need parental consent for the DoDMERB, and for the NROTC scholarship contract signing.
 
I was 17 when I first joined AFROTC and they had some paperwork my parents had to sign. Luckily, my parents were able to stop by the det when they helped me move in.
 
Have you communicated to them why it is that you have the goals that you do?

Parents who are "against" the idea of their sons or daughters going into the "military" usually (not saying that this is your parents, exactly) don't really know the military and have very little experience with it.
They tend to hear Marine Corps and immediately think of your deployment several years from now (during a really big war, of course) and a flag-draped casket coming home with their little Johnny in it.
If they have no experience with it, you can't blame them for jumping to conclusions and generalizing it. They just don't know.

So really, they are always thinking (in the back of their minds, maybe) that their "baby" might have to give his life for their country, leaving them alone.
That's a tough thing to come to terms with, for any parents.

So maybe thinking about that - you can tell them why it is that you feel so obligated to risk everything - to pitch in and defend your Country.
That may not turn them around completely - but it may get them to understand - and sign the forms.
 
@Kadbebe : I am NOT recommending you keep your application a secret from your parents but... based on my recollection and the confirming comments above, you wouldn't need a parent's signature until AFTER you had earned a NROTC-MO scholarship. The physical at DODMERB takes place afterwards as does the acceptance paperwork.

Another point: your obligation to serve on active duty in the Marines doesn't take place until you start Sophomore year of college. The first year is a "trial" year in the sense that you can drop without obligation to pay the money back. This may be a good selling point to your parents as you move through the thought process involved here.
 
There are Marine Corps TV Commercials on YouTube. Pick some of the positive ones (they all are but some show "combat" situations, and let your parents "catch you" watching them. I know what attracted my son to the Corps was the humanitarian work and this gets emphasized in several commercials. It could help.. or it may bring hell down upon you. Just a thought.
 
Have you communicated to them why it is that you have the goals that you do?

Parents who are "against" the idea of their sons or daughters going into the "military" usually (not saying that this is your parents, exactly) don't really know the military and have very little experience with it.
They tend to hear Marine Corps and immediately think of your deployment several years from now (during a really big war, of course) and a flag-draped casket coming home with their little Johnny in it.
If they have no experience with it, you can't blame them for jumping to conclusions and generalizing it. They just don't know.

So really, they are always thinking (in the back of their minds, maybe) that their "baby" might have to give his life for their country, leaving them alone.
That's a tough thing to come to terms with, for any parents.

So maybe thinking about that - you can tell them why it is that you feel so obligated to risk everything - to pitch in and defend your Country.
That may not turn them around completely - but it may get them to understand - and sign the forms.
My parents come from Ethiopia, a country in Africa, and they had some horrible experiences military wise, so while I completely understand their strong dislike of the military, I do think that you are correct in that they don’t quite understand today’s American military, which I think is a common trait across people who don’t bother going the extra mile to learn about the military. I have tried talking with my parents about it but they have never really been open to opposing viewpoints so I will just have to pray and hope that they will support me in my goals for life, despite their own personal views. Their viewpoint is identical to my numerous relatives, so I do expect a lot of questioning and disappointment as my decision becomes common knowledge across my family, but I feel I am ready to commit myself to something greater than my family, myself, and my own life.
 
@Kadbebe : I am NOT recommending you keep your application a secret from your parents but... based on my recollection and the confirming comments above, you wouldn't need a parent's signature until AFTER you had earned a NROTC-MO scholarship. The physical at DODMERB takes place afterwards as does the acceptance paperwork.

Another point: your obligation to serve on active duty in the Marines doesn't take place until you start Sophomore year of college. The first year is a "trial" year in the sense that you can drop without obligation to pay the money back. This may be a good selling point to your parents as you move through the thought process involved here.
Thank you USMC Grunt, that is a very good point, thank you for reminding me of that.
 
I have never been to Ethiopia, but I get it.
Good luck with your family.
 
Kadbebe: Thank you for your willingness to serve and defend our great country. I can see your parents’ reticence, given their background. While legally, once an adult, you don’t need their signature, personally you’ll want their support and blessing. Military careers are not easy, and knowing they have your back will be very important to your success and happiness.

Re your parents’ view of the military: You’re applying for an NROTC scholarship, so you’ll be up against some of our nation’s best and brightest. Many of your competitors are also applying to the academies. Look up the credentials of both sets — NROTC scholarship recipients and academy appointees — and share them with your parents. Show how these people have top-end academics, test scores, extracurriculars and leadership roles. Show them how competitive it is to earn a scholarship or appointment. I’d hope that knowing their child would be among this accomplished crowd would help soften their resistance and build their pride in what you’re doing. Best wishes to you.
 
Kadbebe -- you might read these 2 older threads along with the letter in the 3rd link. You don't have to be from Ethiopia to be reticent about the US military . . . plenty of folks born in the USA that have never experienced the situation your parents faced have similar feeings. . . hopefully these threads might help . . maybe one or both of your parents would read one of them if you think that would help . . .

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/whip-sawed-parent.41726/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...-in-need-help-supporting-sons-decision.42561/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...4d8-81ff-153ce778c24f/?utm_term=.9f8a9263c698

Best wishes to you and your family and thank you for being willing to serve
 
@Kadbebe; in light of your parent experiences and views of the military, this may just underscore the wisdom of @kinnem 's advice about choosing recruiting materials that emphasize the humanitarian aspects of the military mission. These may give your parents something to think about. Do not expect an overnight change of heart from them, but if you show them these and articulate your desire to serve and make a positive difference for your nation and the world, they may come around. As @MidCakePa pointed out, you won't need their signatures once you are 18, but you will be better off and have a better chance of success if you have their support.
 
Depending when/if you received a scholarship when would you reach 18? Possible to wait it out for any amount of time.
 
I would turn eighteen May of 2020, and because I am applying for the 2020 fall scholarship I will be seventeen at the time of acceptance of scholarship(if, God bless, I receive it)
 
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