Army ROTC to USNA

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Reapplicantagain2025

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Oct 19, 2020
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Howdy. This past year I applied to USNA for the class of 2024 but was unfortunately rejected. I decided to attend the best school that I was accepted to (for a culmination of reasons, close to home, great academics, great location, etc) but the school only offers a joint Army ROTC program. I am an Army ROTC scholarship receipt and am currently really enjoying the military aspect of my education. So much so that I want to reapply to USNA to "fully immense" myself in military education. However, I was not a huge fan USMA when I visited and never really considered USAFA or the other SAs.

I was hoping someone could help me explain to an interviewer why I want to go from Army ROTC to USNA and not to USMA. For me, the simple answer is that I can't see myself excel at USMA like I believe I would at USNA or am currently at my Army ROTC program BUT I feel this is a heavily inadequate/immature response.

I think it goes without saying but if I was rejected to USNA again I would be (more than) content with continuing my military career in the Army. Thank you for any advice you can give me.
 
If you want it....like Nike....just do it:wiggle:
 
Think hard about your “why”. The real “why”, beyond what you say about excelling at usna as a school. Bc that’s an unknown....how do you know you will thrive on the Yard? Or not thrive at USMA? You have never tried either schooling.

BUT...you are thriving at a college (presumably). So that is what you need right there to show you can handle the academics at any college. That’s a good thing!

IMO, the reasons you stated, for attending where you are, make sense and support your original (and present) goal of attending USNA. And you are now doing ROTC as ‘plan B’ until you reapply. Which you are! I don’t think it’s even an issue that you are in a different branch of service. Unless there is a NROTC unit there that you didn’t select?

I would suggest focusing on your reasoning for Initially selecting the Navy over the other branches of service. As a career beyond your educational years. You can showcase your ability to handle the academics along with ROTC, and then address your reasons for choosing the Navy, whatever they are. When/if they ask why you are choosing navy over army? Tell them why (you want to be a swo? Subs? Whatever your reasons you choose navy over army...).

One thing you will have to consider is how this all affects your unit. I have no clue, or experience with this at all but from the cheap seats here in my hometown, it seems like it would at least be akward to have that discussion with my chain of command, switching branches. I’m also not sure how/if AROTC can be a nominating source for another branch. Maybe you already know all that.

My personal takeaway, is that you are a reapplicant, who has been doing the right things to reapply. And to focus on your “why” of serving as a Naval Officer (think of your original essay). And that AROTC was a great experience, and reinforced your desire to serve in the Navy. Good luck!!

Adding this as I see you are a new member: check out the “reapplying” tabs at the top of the forum. There is also a section for reapplicants on the USNA website. Reading through these may give you some nuggets for your own application. This may help you organize and think through your own process
 
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Reapplicantagain2025 said:
Howdy. This past year I applied to USNA for the class of 2024 but was unfortunately rejected. I decided to attend the best school that I was accepted to (for a culmination of reasons, close to home, great academics, great location, etc) but the school only offers a joint Army ROTC program. I am an Army ROTC scholarship receipt and am currently really enjoying the military aspect of my education. So much so that I want to reapply to USNA to "fully immense" myself in military education. However, I was not a huge fan USMA when I visited and never really considered USAFA or the other SAs.

I was hoping someone could help me explain to an interviewer why I want to go from Army ROTC to USNA and not to USMA. For me, the simple answer is that I can't see myself excel at USMA like I believe I would at USNA or am currently at my Army ROTC program BUT I feel this is a heavily inadequate/immature response.

I think it goes without saying but if I was rejected to USNA again I would be (more than) content with continuing my military career in the Army. Thank you for any advice you can give me.
Click to expand...
I would think long and hard as to the reasons you were "rejected" by USNA. There must have been something that caused that. And IMHO, THAT is what you need to focus on if you want to be accepted this cycle. AND, I would offer the suggestion that "I would be more than content continuing my military career in the Army" might indicate you would do well at WP. Don't limit your chances, if you want an academy education and life, don't limit yourself to just USNA. USMMA is another Great source to commission in the Navy from, maybe check that out as another "plan B".
In any event, Best of Luck in fulfilling your desires.:D
 
I am stumped as to why you think you would do better at the USNA over the USMA?

I can see changing your mind , and wanting to go to sea in the navy vs wanting to hump in the army. Many would think that just common sense :)

But not picking one school over the other because you think one would be easier for you to excel at.

People do change their minds though.

I knew of an enlisted Marine , back in the day , who went to NAPS , did well, then took an appointment to the USMA because he thought they would prepare him better for ground combat leadership than the USNA would.

He graduated USMA 1962 then returned to the Marines.

He was one of 8 USMA grads, or WP students who did not graduate, to have been awarded the MOH for Vietnam.
 
It's what my kid did...took the 4-year AROTC scholarship to a local university & then re-applied (& was accepted) at both USMA & USNA.

He was honest with both that USNA was his first choice.
 
My USNA grad was a college reapplicant who participated in the Army ROTC program offered at the school. It served to demonstrate my grad’s desire to become an officer. Earned the GAFMP while at it. Excellent overall experience, and solidified my grad’s desire to attend USNA.⚓️⚓️
 
ncbill said:
It's what my kid did...took the 4-year AROTC scholarship to a local university & then re-applied (& was accepted) at both USMA & USNA.

He was honest with both that USNA was his first choice.
Click to expand...
That is amazing and inspiring! I couldn’t apply to any service academies this year due to personal reasons. But my plan was to join the ROTC unit and apply as a College applicant. I was wondering if you could tell me what your kid’s stats were that made him accepted to the Academy? If you don’t mind me asking. Happy New Years!
 
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