Being Realistic - Plan C Now Plan A

NJROTC-CC

NJROTC-CC

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DS is a sophomore. Very active in NJROTC including basic drill team, athletic team, orienteering team, JV Cross Country. He is fit and trim. Unfortunately, he is VERY social and is "all over the place" and does not like to sit down and focus and force himself to study, so he is not making the grades that he will need to give him a realistic chance at USNA or even a NROTC scholarship. He hasn't taken the SAT's yet, so that is a chance to improve his profile if he prepares and does well on the SAT's Also, there is still time to improve grades too. However, we are being realistic. Our hope now is that he can get accepted in a good NROTC college program, and then work to win a three year scholarship. Some kids just don't get their s_#t together in time to build a good candidate profile, despite our parental guidance. I was like that too. I did not settle down to become a good student until grad. school at age 24.

DS told me yesterday that if he can't get into a good 4 year college, rather than community college, he will enlist. DW and I think he would be better off commissioning, but maybe enlisting will help him grow up. Both of his grandfathers and two great-grandfathers went through Great Lakes. Several of the outstanding cadets from our high school NJROTC program have enlisted and have done very well. One even had a 1430 SAT score and had no interest in college and is now at sub school in New London. Another has been recommended by her supervisors for application to USNA. Bottom line, there are many roads to success and as parents we can only do so much, the rest is up to the kids.
 
Commissioning is best if accepted to a 4 year.

My kid was a solid B student in high school. I knew he had more potential but just didn't apply himself. Mom insisted on college first (he wanted to enlist with some buddies) but he was not awarded an NROTC scholarship out of high school. He enrolled as a college programmer and was awarded a scholarship in his sophomore year. He suddenly applied himself as a freshman and made the Dean's list 6 of 8 semesters in college.

My point is you never know when the engines and afterburners are going to ignite. Good luck to you and your son.
 
Like the great example above, all is not fatalistically lost for those who haven't yet hit their focus/ stride/full potential as a teen. Long term, the die is not cast. Lots of stories of later bloomers who shred their competition later in life - look up RET Gen. Colin Powells GPA if interested:) It's great that you're thinking longer term and options, and thinking about where he would thrive.

I will advocate for the smaller/ community college route through a real-life example.
One of my brothers barely passed HS - he was bored./ literally didn't try. Squeaked into a college one micro-step above community college through a family connection, decided to try, got 4 4.0 semesters there, transferred to an ivy league school, graduated with distinction, and has been very successful as an adult. Other brother seemed focused out of the womb, went straight to that same ivy - there is ZERO distinction between their diplomas -except one cost about 40k less than the other (tuition used to be cheaper back then). If he hits his stride in HS then great - if not if he does well in a smaller college he can transfer and resume his dream. Proven grades at college go a long way vs predictors from HS. There are also SA prep schools he could go to if interested in SAs but needing enrichment/ prep as a path. if he transfers to a larger college or SA, he'll get the same diploma, probably for much less money too.

It is RARE statistically for enlisted to end up at a SA. Yes there are examples much as there are four leaf clovers. It is not rare for enlisted to go ultimately through OCS. You should learn those details if interested. If commissioning as an officer is his desire then learn more about the paths above. Others may be able to help.

Lastly, think about where he'll thrive/ love being. Structure of an SA and your current description of your DS don't seem to align. but that may change. Maybe he like my DS would do better having the social outlet of a "regular" college while with ROTC, My DS didn't want or even apply to the SAs but loves ROTC.

Good luck and hope this offers you some encouragement and info.
 
I found out part of the problem with DS's GPA. He went to an International Baccalaureate magnet middle school and they put him in some high school classes in 8th grade that he was not ready to take. His grades were poor and, apparently, the 8th grade classes count on his high school GPA! (If I had know that, I would have never put in that program.) He is doing much better now and is getting more mature and focused. He is still 15. Not everyone grows all the way up at 15 and certainly not at 13 when some classes he took are counting toward his high school GPA. I told him don't worry about the past. All you can control is the present and the future. Get great grades now and knock the crap out of the SAT and we will see where they take you. Maybe he can get into a prep program. In addition to service academy prep, they now have colleges that do NROTC prep in conjunction with the Navy.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
I found out part of the problem with DS's GPA. He went to an International Baccalaureate magnet middle school and they put him in some high school classes in 8th grade that he was not ready to take. His grades were poor and, apparently, the 8th grade classes count on his high school GPA! (If I had know that, I would have never put in that program.) He is doing much better now and is getting more mature and focused. He is still 15. Not everyone grows all the way up at 15 and certainly not at 13 when some classes he took are counting toward his high school GPA. I told him don't worry about the past. All you can control is the present and the future. Get great grades now and knock the crap out of the SAT and we will see where they take you. Maybe he can get into a prep program. In addition to service academy prep, they now have colleges that do NROTC prep in conjunction with the Navy.
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Went through this as well. The interesting thing, is that through looking into it all, we had apparently elected to NOT carry one of the classes for Hs credit, but the high school recorded it in error. So it was removed from his transcripts. Didn’t affect his GPA much as it was one class.

Pay attention to transcripts was the lesson learned for us!
 
If he wants to serve on the water then take a look at some non-Navy alternative paths: Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and the six state sponsored maritime academies (Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Great Lakes, Texas A&M and California.) There are a range of academic standards in there that he might be able to reach that lead to active duty Coast Guard or Navy Reserve. And if he can get into USMMA he can (usually) choose Navy upon graduation.

https://www.gocoastguard.com/active...es/programs/maritime-academy-graduate-margrad
 
NJROTC-CC said:
DS is a sophomore
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Hey I got one of those!! Near perfect SAT and poor grades because of missing homework. Doesn't seem to care about school or college, just hanging out. Outstanding varsity lacrosse player, soccer, football, and swimming. He should be a junior but we held him back a year because his maturity level needs to play "catch-up" with his potential. We have discussions and he seems to actually know more than I do in areas where I feel knowledgeable. Frustrating! We're hoping he pulls out of his funk to have a shot at USNA Prep School . . . and if he would just shave that #!#$ beard that's growing :hammer:
 
NJROTC-CC said:
I found out part of the problem with DS's GPA. He went to an International Baccalaureate magnet middle school and they put him in some high school classes in 8th grade that he was not ready to take. His grades were poor and, apparently, the 8th grade classes count on his high school GPA! (If I had know that, I would have never put in that program.)
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My DS had similar classes. We had to sign off regarding understanding them being part of hs transcript. They actually are part of his required hs credits so we couldnt remove them if we wanted.
They are his lowest weighted grades as well because he didnt quite understand the difference in each numerical grade back then...
 
Dadx4 said:
We're hoping he pulls out of his funk to have a shot at USNA Prep School
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I hear you. They will all wake up one day. Just hope not too late. My DS is eligible to get his driver's license the end of March. We told him "no driver's license unless you make -- and stay on - - honor roll. He is more than capable. He says he has straight A's so far this quarter. We shall see.

At least I don't have to worry about a beard. He is in JROTC and is squeaky clean and hair is high and tight. Big drill meet this Saturday and Nationals in both Drill and Orienteering coming soon. He loves the camaraderie and competition of military life and I think he will make a great leader. Just not a bookworm. Does he sound like a Marine? DW would die if he joins the Marine Corps.
 
StPaulDad said:
If he wants to serve on the water then take a look at some non-Navy alternative paths: Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and the six state sponsored maritime academies (Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Great Lakes, Texas A&M and California.) There are a range of academic standards in there that he might be able to reach that lead to active duty Coast Guard or Navy Reserve. And if he can get into USMMA he can (usually) choose Navy upon graduation.

https://www.gocoastguard.com/active...es/programs/maritime-academy-graduate-margrad
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And don’t overlook NOAA, one of the seven uniformed services, but not an armed service.

NOAA Officer Corps Overview | Office of Marine and Aviation Operations

www.omao.noaa.gov www.omao.noaa.gov
 
NJROTC-CC said:
Thank you Captain. I never even heard of NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
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They are small but cool, because, just like the USPHS (the other uniformed service that is not an armed service), they wear Navy-type uniforms with NOAA-unique insignia. They get all the same rights and benefits, use Navy/CG ranks, are entitled to VA stuff, etc. Very interesting missions.

There are 7 uniformed services, 5 of which are armed.

@NJROTC-CC
You did a nice list. I think many are unaware of the SMC path.
 
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So after a bad second quarter sophomore year in H.S. I freaked out on DS and told him how disappointed I was in his grades. I gave him incentive to get his grades up. I told him no driver's license (he turned 16 last month) unless he makes honor roll and will lose his license if he ever does not make honor roll in future marking periods. Well, report cards just came out and he got 5 A's and 2 B's in classes that are all AP and honors. He made honor roll too. Maybe there is hope for him yet.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
So after a bad second quarter sophomore year in H.S. I freaked out on DS and told him how disappointed I was in his grades. I gave him incentive to get his grades up. I told him no driver's license (he turned 16 last month) unless he makes honor roll and will lose his license if he ever does not make honor roll in future marking periods. Well, report cards just came out and he got 5 A's and 2 B's in classes that are all AP and honors. He made honor roll too. Maybe there is hope for him yet.
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Congrats to your DS. Looks like he's "waking up" ;)
 
Way to go! carrot, stick approach, I love it! Incentives are great for teens. And setting a goal, maybe have him write down his academic goal for each quarter. Put it on the bathroom mirror. Be accountable to himself and to you and realize that he is totally capable. Super excited to see how he does going forward. Great job mom and dad :)
 
The net GPA doesn't need to be perfect if the numbers tell a story. Getting your act together can be a pretty compelling story when paired with a good interview. Teach him the small self-deprecating head shake. 😇
 
StPaulDad said:
The net GPA doesn't need to be perfect if the numbers tell a story. Getting your act together can be a pretty compelling story when paired with a good interview. Teach him the small self-deprecating head shake. 😇
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Spot on. I told him don’t worry that you got some bad grades in high school classes you took in 8th grade. Don’t let that defeat you. Don’t look back. Look forward! Turn it around and show them you matured and got your act together. I told him there is a good chance admissions will notice an upward trend and weigh your more recent work and AP classes more than your early high school years. None of us can control the past only the present which will influence the future
 
My own P2B was “not focused” freshman year. He reports in less than two weeks! I know you know, but it’s more than academics. Probably the most forgiving is applied freshman year...it’s a time of adjustment. But if you adjust? That’s a POSITIVE.

Another mom and I were talking yesterday, and her now graduate also was “academically challenged” (he was actually lazy in turning in assignments) freshman year. He ended up not as a direct appointment, but rather a successful reapplicant.

There’s hope. It will be fun to watch!
 
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