Any advice for NROTC interview

vampsoul

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I have my interview on Tuesday. I have brainstormed (not an exact answer, because I don't want to sound scripted, but I bulleted my reasons) the answers to "Why do you want to be a navy officer", "why nrotc", and "why navy". Does anyone have any advice to share? All input is greatly appreciated.
 
There might be some questions that will catch you off guard, such as, do you think that we should be more aggressive against No Korea? What was the last book you read for pleasure? Or even what is the latest current event article that you have read? Or what have you been doing this summer? Kids are caught off guard with the simplistic questions and that's when the um and ahs start coming out! They are looking for an overall well rounded candidate, not just the kid who has the pat answer for why the Navy and what do you want to be?

Our DS will say the hardest question he had was what was your hardest course? How you answer that can hurt you, do you pick the class that you got the one and only C of your hs career, or do you pick the class that you got a B and say that you didn't get how the teacher taught it!

Even the question of are you applying for the USNA and NROTC can throw off the student? Do you say yes sir/mam or do you hide the fact. IMHO you always be honest, that whole honor code thing. However, it is the follow up that is important to stress to them that this just the beginning of your naval career path (via ROTC or the SA) and you would be honored to be selected by the NROTC as a candidate.

Think of the off the wall questions, and then you will be prepared. Even, the so how do you like the weather...fine mam/sir, but I actually love the fall more! It opens a door for them to get to know you, while you can guide the conversation to something you feel comfortable about....i.e. why is that? Well I run Xcountry and running 7 miles a day everyday in 90 degrees during the summer is not as nice as running it on a 60 degree day. You now have highlighted that you are on a sports team and are physically fit. The same way you can say, because school will be back in and I am excited for senior yr since I will be class president, or for 4 yrs now I have waited to be sitting here for this day! All of them are positive spins and much better than saying, well it sure is hot, sir/mam!

I just remember what one of the off the wall questions were for DS, our last name is incredibly unique, easy to pronounce, but it is almost always followed up with does your family own that? DS used that as his opening to get them to remember him, he replied No, sir, I wish we did, b/c than I would be able to finish my ppl faster instead of waiting for my next paycheck as a lifeguard. In that one sentence he accomplished 4 things. Made them remember his name in a positive way, 2 told them he is getting a ppl, and 3 he has a part time job that is athletic and 4 MADE THEM LAUGH WITH HIM!

Wouldn't you say that is a better answer, then if he said no sir, our last name has 2 O's and that company has 2 A's? Same result, you answered that you weren't related, and stayed on topic, but you didn't highlight your accomplishment. There is a difference between bragging and highlighting. You must be careful of this aspect. For example, I see you play soccer why soccer? Bragging well because I am the team Capt. Highlighting is saying I have played since I was 5 and that has allowed me to learn how you to be an effective leader you must realize you are a part of a team, I plan to use that lesson this yr as team capt. The latter statement showed you have stuck with it, you are a team player and were recognized to have leadership qualities among your peers.
 
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Pima gave you some excellent pointers, the one question that caught me off-guard was the one about other service ROTC units and whether or not I've applied for others. Be ready to answer specifics concerning your physical conditioning. Be ready to answer questions of why you have not considered the academies, especially if you are highly competive (grades, leadership, ACT, sports, etc).
 
For some reason my NROTC interview seemed much more informal than what everyone else has described. It was MUCH less stressful that my nomination interviews and I actually quite enjoyed it because I was being interviewed by a helicopter pilot and he was telling me all about it! He was very relaxed and laid back and explained to me that the point of the interview was basically to see how you presented yourself.

Im sure that the interviews differ, and maybe he was just trying to see if my correct grammar and polite gestures went away as I got more comfortable with my surroundings and the situation in general. Regardless of what the interviewer acts like, keep your game face on and remember what you are being interviewed for, don't get too relaxed! And remember to smile, we love navy!!!!!!!

P.S. i got a 4 year navy option scholarship so i guess i didn't get too relaxed!
GO NAVY
 
Hope all went well with your interview, Vampsoul. Our son had his interview last evening as well.

Great tips, Pima. Devildog55, the NROTC applicant interview form you provided was very helpful. Our son was afraid to practice his answers too much, but knowing how he would be scored helped quite a bit.

In our case, the B&G officer performed 1 interview which will be used for both USNA and NROTC scholarship. I don't know if this is typical, but I suspect not since we were told that this year is the first year information is being shared between the two.

Interview was not formal, but our son was nervous just the same. He was told to dress comfortably, but decided to wear dress slacks, collar shirt and tie just to show respect. B&G officer was in a golf shirt and khakis. As soon as the B&G officer sat down at our kitchen table he said, "you can take that tie off now if you would like to." :smile:

After we said our hellos and I offered iced tea/water, I excused myself and took the dog for a long walk. When I returned, they were still inside so dad and I sat on the porch and waited for them to come out. In a few minutes, they did, and we all sat casually on the porch and chatted a little more. B&G spoke kindly of our son and bascially gave him the thumbs up. He told us he'd fill out the appropriate paperwork for both USNA and NROTC. Son is on to the next step, DODMERB today.

What a relief. We truly expected a more stressful interview. No curve-ball questions. The only thing our son said that he was asked unexpectedly was, "if you are not appointed to the USNA and do not receive an ROTC scholarship, what will you do with your future." In our son's case, nothing will change. He would reapply of course, but in the meantime, he'll still attend one of the colleges on his list, still major in aero eng, etc. I suppose the question was to make sure the student is not just looking for a free education when he/she would really rather be studying say art.

The entire interview including chatting on the porch, 1 hour.

Hope this is helpful.
 
I had my interview at the very beginning of July and just like Cycling had his mine was a very relaxing interview. The officer was the CO of my local reserve center and we basically just sat in his office and discussed what I wanted to do. He was casual and told me about his career and all of the options available to me.
 
The interview went well. Since I want to major in middle eastern studies he asked me about my opinions on Iraq and Afghanistan. That was stressful; I was very afraid of saying something wrong! It was fine, though, and my interviewer was really nice. His daughter is applying next year, so I think he was inclined to like me.
 
For some reason my NROTC interview seemed much more informal than what everyone else has described. It was MUCH less stressful that my nomination interviews and I actually quite enjoyed it because I was being interviewed by a helicopter pilot and he was telling me all about it!

That is what it was with me when I first met with my recruiter. When I had my interview they changed recruiters, and brought in three Lt.Colonel and one Colonel Marine Officer as well as the new Marine recruiter. I got a bit nervous and they could tell. It wasnt too bad but I should have practiced beforehand. I really wish I found that paper I posted before my interview, oh well...


Devildog55, the NROTC applicant interview form you provided was very helpful.

Your welcome.

Our son was afraid to practice his answers too much, but knowing how he would be scored helped quite a bit.

In our case, the B&G officer performed 1 interview which will be used for both USNA and NROTC scholarship. I don't know if this is typical, but I suspect not since we were told that this year is the first year information is being shared between the two.

Interview was not formal, but our son was nervous just the same. He was told to dress comfortably, but decided to wear dress slacks, collar shirt and tie just to show respect. B&G officer was in a golf shirt and khakis. As soon as the B&G officer sat down at our kitchen table he said, "you can take that tie off now if you would like to." :smile:

After we said our hellos and I offered iced tea/water, I excused myself and took the dog for a long walk. When I returned, they were still inside so dad and I sat on the porch and waited for them to come out. In a few minutes, they did, and we all sat casually on the porch and chatted a little more. B&G spoke kindly of our son and bascially gave him the thumbs up. He told us he'd fill out the appropriate paperwork for both USNA and NROTC. Son is on to the next step, DODMERB today.

What a relief. We truly expected a more stressful interview. No curve-ball questions. The only thing our son said that he was asked unexpectedly was, "if you are not appointed to the USNA and do not receive an ROTC scholarship, what will you do with your future." In our son's case, nothing will change. He would reapply of course, but in the meantime, he'll still attend one of the colleges on his list, still major in aero eng, etc. I suppose the question was to make sure the student is not just looking for a free education when he/she would really rather be studying say art.

The entire interview including chatting on the porch, 1 hour.
It seems as if you want to get the scholarship more than your son does. Remember that parents can help, but it should really be his motivation and will do become a Naval Officer.
 
If you really want to serve, then just be yourself and it'll show. I didn't have Eagle Scout, Student Council or anything like that implying leadership and I still got a scholarship. When they asked me about why I wanted to join the Air Force I said

"One day I drove past the airport during an airshow and heard a F-15 scream by. I thought that was the most awesome sound I ever heard and want to hear it every waking moment of my life."
 
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