School Uniform to ROTC interview?

LizV

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Thank you for welcoming me to your forum!

My son will be interviewing for the Army ROTC this week.

He attends a private Catholic school. His uniform consists of pressed Khakis, a sleek under armor Polo with his school and name embroidered on the breast. It is a very neat and nice looking. He will be returning to class after the interview.

Would you suggest he stay in his uniform to interview, or wear more business casual as suggested?
 
While that’s a neat and tidy outfit, suggest he go up a notch if he can. A blazer, button-down shirt and dress pants would be terrific. It indicates seriousness and respect without being stuffy.
 
Thank you!!
While that’s a neat and tidy outfit, suggest he go up a notch if he can. A blazer, button-down shirt and dress pants would be terrific. It indicates seriousness and respect without being stuffy.
 
I happened to be in a hotel lobby last week and witnessed/ overheard an Army Officer interviewing ROTC candidates. He was dressed exactly as you described (I was shocked he wasn’t in uniform). The candidates were in everything from a suit and tie, khakis/ polo, sport coat and no tie, dress, jeans. It was all over the map.

But my suggestion would be a sport coat at a minimum. (I am old [emoji57])
 
Thanks! Part of me thought him in his private school uniform would appear like he is comfortable wearing a uniform and used to that kind of conformity. I appreciate all of the feedback here.
 
To the point made by @USMCGrunt, you’ll likely see a full range (maybe even the dreaded ball cap). Don’t look at that and say, “Oh, geez, I could’ve worn the school uniform.” See it as, “This here is serious business and I mean business.” Always rather be the best-dressed person than the worst-dressed person.
 
I am of the opinion that you dress to impress (within your means). To me, this sends the message that this is important to you and you are taking it seriously. My DS wore a newly purchased suit. He looked sharp and felt good in it. I believe, for him, it gave him confidence. To me, it was a small price to pay and the return on investment was well worth it, as he earned a 4 year NROTC scholarship. Plus, he wore it to Homecoming a month later and a wedding after that so far. That said, I wouldn't go buy a suit if it was a financial burden or if my DS would be uncomfortable and self conscious in it. Your DS will have plenty of time to get used to wearing a uniform and I honestly don't think that's something in the evaluation. What will be important is how he carries himself and how he answers the questions.
 
My kids attended a Catholic high school and wore their school guideline clothing, which was similar to your son's uniform but with no logo or school name (and they received scholarships). What you described is perfectly acceptable. It looks good and is business casual. Also, they'll appreciate that your son needs to return to school and that stopping on the way back to change would be taking time from school (academics are important to ROTC). Additionally, they don't expect every applicant to have a blazer or suit because not all can afford these. A good interviewer will like a well-presented interviewee and your son's school uniform fits that.
 
In my 14+ years don’t think I’ve ever seen a blazer make or break an applicants chances. I have looked at a lot of PMS interviews and can’t recall ever seeing “failed to wear a suit” in the appearance block. Collared shirt and khakis/dressed pants are fine, as long as the applicant is a worthy candidate.
 
Would i be able to post a picture of him in his uniform, with his face blocked out of course? Just so you can see how spiffy he looks? (I’m such a mom, right?)
 
Would i be able to post a picture of him in his uniform, with his face blocked out of course? Just so you can see how spiffy he looks? (I’m such a mom, right?)
He's sounds good to go. As is mentioned above, it'll be substance that matters.
 
@LizV, no need to post a photo. Share all this great input with your DS and let him decide. He needs to make the call.

A backwards ballcap won’t sink an otherwise brilliant candidate. A dapper suit won’t save an otherwise weak candidate. Just know that what he wears is part of an overall impression, along with what he says, how he says it, his handshake, his eye contact, etc.
 
LizV. This is a very good question. I believe your kid should dress up in the way that best represent who he really is! If he’s coming directly from school I would go with the school uniform if that’s what he feels comfortable with. If not then go with the shirt jacket tie and khaki.

My kid dressed up in his Eagle Scout or Summit Scout Uniform to all his ROTC, SA, and Nomination Interviews because he felt most comfortable with the uniform to these venues. And dressed casual or in School uniform to all his civilian college interviews depending on the college since they normally ask you to dress casual on a weekend. On a week day he was in his school uniform. That’s who he is and went with the attire that best represented him given the time and venue.

If can be done, I would also prepare a one page resume to put it all together his key activities and accomplishments like a professional resume. If resume cannot be made then a one page summary. This may seem like an over kill to some but it is effective. All interviewers were very impressed with this. In fact, take a binder if he has one that present him well. If you take it they will look at it. Of course this depends on a person but on my DS case they really appreciated that he brought this. We know this because DS ROTC evaluations were discussed by his primary colleges when he met with his ROTC Units. Consider all ROTC Interviews as a test. Your kid will be evaluated with a score.
 
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LizV. This is a very good question. I believe your kid should dress up in the way that best represent who he really is! If he’s coming directly from school I would go with the school uniform if that’s what he feels comfortable with. If not then go with the shirt jacket tie and khaki.

My kid dressed up in his Eagle Scout or Summit Scout Uniform to all his ROTC, SA, and Nomination Interviews because he felt most comfortable with the uniform to these venues. And dressed casual or in School uniform to all his civilian college interviews depending on the college since they normally ask you to dress casual on a weekend. On a week day he was in his school uniform. That’s who he is and went with the attire that best represented him given the time and venue.

If can be done, I would also prepare a one page resume to put it all together his key activities and accomplishments like a professional resume. If resume cannot be made then a one page summary. This may seem like an over kill to some but it is effective. All interviewers were very impressed with this. In fact, take a binder if he has one that present him well. If you take it they will look at it. Of course this depends on a person but on my DS case they really appreciated that he brought this. We know this because DS ROTC evaluations were discussed by his primary colleges when he met with his ROTC Units. Consider all ROTC Interviews as a test. Your kid will be evaluated with a score.

My DS wore his NJROTC uniform. I think that went over well.
 
My Army ROTC interview was over the phone. I can still remember the Colonel saying, "I have a box on the sheet for 'Personal Appearance'. I assume you dress well so I'm going to give you a 100 on that."
 
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Older son wore a pair of tan denim pants with a Polo shirt.

Younger son wore running shorts and a T-Shirt. Now to clarify he was spending a weekend with his older brother and went to PT with the Battalion, the PMS was there and asked if he wanted to do his interview after, son asked if he should go change, PMS laughed and said "No, it's not a fashion contest, I assume you know how to dress nice"

Both received 4 years scholarships, older son was before they had the board system, younger got his on the first board, I don't think what they wore mattered all that much, but of course not all PMS are the same so I would at least wear slacks/khakis and a nice shirt.
 
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