SMC or ROTC program?

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cookiemom159

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Can anyone give advice on the pros/cons of attending a senior military college vs. a more traditional ROTC program at another university? DS is deciding between 2 great schools, both similar academic standings for engineering. He can see the obvious differences between the daily life in the two programs, but has questions about the "long run". Do you have a better shot at getting the position you want from a SMC? The ROTC program has told him he'd be a "top cadet", so is it better to be the top of a smaller program or middle of a larger one? Any other questions I'm missing? Any insights would be great! Thanks in advance?
 
ROTC Cadets are ranked nationally.
You could be top cadet at your school but be much lower on the OML than other cadets at other schools.
The top 10% nationally get their first choice. Known as Distinguished Military Graduate.
 
+1 to AJC. I would add that, therefore, it doesn't matter whether you attend an SMC or regular ROTC. I would also add that an SMC *might* prepare one better and therefore place them higher on the OML. I emphasize *might* because one only gets out of any program what they put into it.
 
If you were going into say...chemical engineering or petrol, I'd seriously consider TX A&M for that with the benefit of it being a SMC. Just a plug from an Ag, though.
 
I’m a USAFA grad and my son will soon graduate from VMI

I never wanted to go to a civilian school. USAFA was my first and only choice. I was lucky it worked out

My son was offered good merit money to attend Purdue, Case Western and Texas A&M but chose VMI. He wanted a “SA” like experience where he would be immersed in the cadet lifestyle full-time. He was looking for that Brother Rat experience.

I agree with kinnem that regardless where you are ... you get out of the program commensurate with what you put into it. Where I disagree is the level of preparation a SMC (or SA) provides vs a civilian school. VMI is a good example. They prioritize the military and physical fitness in the daily schedule. They set the school around it. They emphasize the ROTC training. They put 2 5-day field training exercises in the school year (1 Fall/1Spring)to work on land navigation, marksmanship, tactics, etc. and fit the academic calendar around the field exercises. In addition to active duty members instructing ROTC, they have many former or retired military as their academic instructors. They have senior military leaders visit the school and interact with the cadets. Recent visitors include SECDEF Mattis in the Fall and current Secretary of the Army yesterday

Another key stat for SAs and SMCs is the attrition rate. Today the SAs have about 20% attrition. I know VMI’s attrition runs about 30% over 4yrs (500 enter as freshmen and about 350 graduate after 4 yrs.) Not sure about the other SMCs.

Lastly, while I know regular ROTC can produce an outstanding officer (I’ve served with several) as a general rule, the SMC / SA approach produces a more numerous good Officer product. I believe I have experienced that in my career. If this is not so, then I don’t know why we have SAs and SMCs.

With all that being said, your DS should go to where he would be most comfortable and where he would have the best chance to excel.

Best wishes to you and him and thanks to him for his willingness to serve.
 
It comes down to what kind of educational experience your DS is seeking. Some cadets/mids will do well at an SMC/SA or a regular ROTC college. Others would thrive much better at one versus the other, for example some will thrive under the strictness at an SMC while others wither under the weight.

My DS loved his "normal" college experience and will commission next month. I always thought he would "need" the strictness of an SMC.

I was clearly wrong.
 
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AROTC-dad said:
It comes down to what kind of educational experience your DS is seeking. Some cadets/mids will do well at an SMC or an SA. Others would thrive much better at one versus the other, for example some will thrive under the strictness at an SMC while others wither under the weight.

My DS loved his "normal" college experience and will commission next month. I always thought he would "need" the strictness of an SMC.

I was clearly wrong.
Click to expand...

There is also some variation with in the SMC from the very spartan existence at VMI , to the length of Citadel's 4th Class system , the grandfather of the SMC at Norwich, VA Tech with it's collocated large university and A&M with the Aggie Band
 
BlueBulldog said:
There is also some variation with in the SMC from the very spartan existence at VMI , to the length of Citadel's 4th Class system , the grandfather of the SMC at Norwich, VA Tech with it's collocated large university and A&M with the Aggie Band
Click to expand...

This is exactly why it is optimal when a candidate can visit the "short list" of schools. The differences in culture, environment, lifestyle may (but not always) have a significant impact on a cadet/mid's overall success.
 
AROTC-dad said:
BlueBulldog said:
There is also some variation with in the SMC from the very spartan existence at VMI , to the length of Citadel's 4th Class system , the grandfather of the SMC at Norwich, VA Tech with it's collocated large university and A&M with the Aggie Band
Click to expand...

This is exactly why it is optimal when a candidate can visit the "short list" of schools. The differences in culture, environment, lifestyle may (but not always) have a significant impact on a cadet/mid's overall success.
Click to expand...

And there is the weather. From almost annual 'hurrication' where in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets is run out of town by a hurricane to Norwich where I hear the seasons are summer, fall, blizzard and mud - judging from their very cool overcoats it might get a wee chilly at VMI from time to time
 
AROTC-dad said:
It comes down to what kind of educational experience your DS is seeking. Some cadets/mids will do well at an SMC/SA or a regular ROTC college. Others would thrive much better at one versus the other, for example some will thrive under the strictness at an SMC while others wither under the weight.

My DS loved his "normal" college experience and will commission next month. I always thought he would "need" the strictness of an SMC.

I was clearly wrong.
Click to expand...

Thank you AROTC-dad - That is exactly the decision we are facing. Totally his choice, but he is asking for our advice. We (parents) feel like he would benefit greatly from the structure. He is leaning toward the "regular" college. Neither is a bad choice, and glad to hear it worked out well for your son! Best of luck to him as he commissions!
 
cookiemom159 said:
Can anyone give advice on the pros/cons of attending a senior military college vs. a more traditional ROTC program at another university? DS is deciding between 2 great schools, both similar academic standings for engineering. He can see the obvious differences between the daily life in the two programs, but has questions about the "long run". Do you have a better shot at getting the position you want from a SMC? The ROTC program has told him he'd be a "top cadet", so is it better to be the top of a smaller program or middle of a larger one? Any other questions I'm missing? Any insights would be great! Thanks in advance?
Click to expand...
In regards to Army ROTC, Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) have a special status under Title 10 of the US Code ensures that ROTC cadets at SMCs will receive an Active Duty commission as long as they are recommended by their Professor of Military Science. Cadets in traditional ROTC programs must compete for an Active Duty commission via a national Order of Merit List. SMC cadets may still request to commission into the National Guard or US Army Reserve if they wish.

Robert Kirkland, LTC (Ret)
"The Insider's Guide to the Army [and Air Force] ROTC Scholarship for High School Students and their Parents" (Amazon)
 
My son applied to the USCGA and was declined on the last of decisions. Of course, being on this site, he needed a plan B, C, D....... His major was Mechanical Engineering/minor Aerospace Studies. He was accepted to a great University and went directly into their AFROTC program. He's now completing his junior year and will be applying for a pilot slot next fall. I asked him if he was glad how things have panned out and he said yes. He's loved having the mixture of "college life" along with his military learning/life. It just depends on what the student is looking for.
 
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