Boston University NROTC-MO vs USNA

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icankraft

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Nov 28, 2023
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Hi everyone,

All college decisions are out, and I am considering between attending the Naval Academy or Boston University with the NROTC Marine Option scholarship.
I understand that either route I take, I'll end up (likely) commissioning as an officer in the Marine Corps. I am trying weigh the pros and cons of both schools, and am looking for others' inputs on what to consider before committing to either. I am currently leaning towards the Naval Academy, and I was recruited to run track at the Naval Academy but not at BU.

BU Pros:
Typical "college life" (something I prefer just a little bit over 24/7 military lifestyle for four years before commissioning)
-more freedom in lifestyle
-more lively and connected (many close friends and connections in Boston area)
Able to enjoy my life/freedom in living a little bit more before I fully commit to the Marine Corps

BU Cons:
Less "prestige" (something my parents and I care a bit about to an extent)
Won't be able to run track but it is something I am willing to give up to focus on my classes and NROTC duties.

USNA Pros:
Better connections/jobs for post-undergraduate and post-military service if I 5 and dive
-more likely to earn a job with higher pay
Higher quality and better preparation in becoming a leader in the Marine Corps through being around highly experienced staff
Ability to balance track and field, military obligations, and studying all at once

USNA Cons:
less of a typical "college life"
-less freedom in lifestyle
-less time to spend outside of school with family or friends in different cities/countries
High stress in balancing many obligations
Possibility of not receiving a Marine Corps commission, and ending up in the Navy (I am 100% committed to becoming a Marine)
 
One of my mentors (Marine Major) has said that the best way to become a marine officer is through NROTC MO. He strongly believes that OCS and TBS are better at producing Marine officers than USNA. Just a perspective.
 
My son went to BU and did AFROTC. It’s a great school in the best college town in the country. Boston is an excellent city to experience college. But you should visit both and see where you feel more comfortable. It really comes down to whether you’re really seeking the regular college experience. As for it’s rep, BU is a good school known for academics.
 
My DS at BU AFROTC Detachment 355, Flying Tigers, he luvs it, best of both worlds, has ROTC friends and regular college friends, he just got selected for Field Training today so he's super stoked, sorry, can't comment on NROTC, but I'm sure it's just as fantastic.
 
BearDog567 said:
One of my mentors (Marine Major) has said that the best way to become a marine officer is through NROTC MO. He strongly believes that OCS and TBS are better at producing Marine officers than USNA. Just a perspective.
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Point of clarification: All USMC Second Lieutenants attend TBS regardless of commissioning source.

USNA Marine selectees do not attend OCS anymore, the last USNA class to have to attend OCS if they wanted to select USMC was either ‘92 or ‘93 when Gen Mundy was CMC & LtGen Krulak was CG, MCCDEC.
 
The boston NROTC consortium I've heard is fantastic. I may be biased because I went ROTC, but these cons were heavily outweighing when I was deciding which to apply to. Best of luck, it's a super hard choice!
icankraft said:
USNA Cons:
less of a typical "college life"
-less freedom in lifestyle
-less time to spend outside of school with family or friends in different cities/countries
Click to expand...
 
I also received a Marine Option scholarship to BU (ended up getting waitlisted but doesn't matter now), but got into West Point which was my dream. Obviously I have not gone through ROTC or a service academy but here are my two cents:

  • It sounds like you prefer a regular college life over a strict service academy life so perhaps the academy isn't for you??
  • Is your dream to become a Marine Officer or go to the Naval Academy AND become a Marine Officer? If it's the first maybe ROTC is better.
  • Since BU is DIII and you got recruited to run DI, you might be able to walk-on at BU (especially since DIII schools don't give athletic scholarships) and still be able to run in college.
  • When I was looking at doing Marine Option ROTC vs. Naval Academy if I didn't get into West Point, I decided I would do ROTC because I knew I would be a Marine Officer. I had no interest in becoming anything in the Navy and would really not like to have that happen. Another reason why I wanted West Point was because I could not see myself learning about boats and ships during Plebe Summer and classes lol.
  • From what it seems ROTC prepares you more to be a Marine Officer just because you go through OCS (admittedly a shortened version), instead of a 4-week "Leatherneck" training with little other Marine exercises at the academy.
  • As for prestige, BU is a pretty darn good school, though yes, it's not a service academy.
  • BU pays room and board for scholarship midshipmen so financially it'd be about the same if that's a factor at all.
Anyways, that's all I had to say. You really can't go wrong either way! Good luck in your decision and whichever path you choose!
 
applicantfor2028 said:
From what it seems ROTC prepares you more to be a Marine Officer just because you go through OCS (admittedly a shortened version), instead of a 4-week "Leatherneck" training with little other Marine exercises at the academy.
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Not so. All new Marine 2LTs (whether via USNA or NROTC or OCS) must attend The Basic School in Quantico. TBS -- not mini-OCS or Leatherneck -- is the real preparation to be a Marine officer. It's the great equalizer. DD said that at TBS, it was never obvious how someone earned their butter bars. The strongest came from all three accession paths, and the weakest came from all three accession paths. In the end, they were all Marines trained to the Corps's specifications.
 
applicantfor2028 said:
I also received a Marine Option scholarship to BU (ended up getting waitlisted but doesn't matter now), but got into West Point which was my dream. Obviously I have not gone through ROTC or a service academy but here are my two cents:

  • It sounds like you prefer a regular college life over a strict service academy life so perhaps the academy isn't for you??
  • Is your dream to become a Marine Officer or go to the Naval Academy AND become a Marine Officer? If it's the first maybe ROTC is better.
  • Since BU is DIII and you got recruited to run DI, you might be able to walk-on at BU (especially since DIII schools don't give athletic scholarships) and still be able to run in college.
  • When I was looking at doing Marine Option ROTC vs. Naval Academy if I didn't get into West Point, I decided I would do ROTC because I knew I would be a Marine Officer. I had no interest in becoming anything in the Navy and would really not like to have that happen. Another reason why I wanted West Point was because I could not see myself learning about boats and ships during Plebe Summer and classes lol.
  • From what it seems ROTC prepares you more to be a Marine Officer just because you go through OCS (admittedly a shortened version), instead of a 4-week "Leatherneck" training with little other Marine exercises at the academy.
  • As for prestige, BU is a pretty darn good school, though yes, it's not a service academy.
  • BU pays room and board for scholarship midshipmen so financially it'd be about the same if that's a factor at all.
Anyways, that's all I had to say. You really can't go wrong either way! Good luck in your decision and whichever path you choose!
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“Leatherneck” is NOT “…little other Marine exercises at the Academy.”

I was in the first iteration of this program during the summer of ‘93 and it was my 1/C Cruise. We spent 4 weeks at TBS, albeit segregated and completely separate from the 2ndLts who were students at BOC and IOC. The goal was to mimic the tactical portions of TBS to help give USNA MIDN a practical view of Rifle Platoon Leader professional education. We spent 4 weeks in Quantico, then went to the FMF for 4 weeks to shadow a Platoon Leader (2 weeks ground, 2 weeks wing). I went to 2d LAR Bn for 2 weeks, then back to USNA to run the pistol & rifle range detail for Plebe Summer.

There was a lot of consternation because we were no longer required to attend OCS as our 1/C Cruise, thus differentiating us from every other Marine Officer. We had no say in the matter, I think it hurt us at TBS because it furthered the divide between USNA Marine Officers and everyone else because we didn’t have the common bond of OCS.
 
applicantfor2028 said:
  • From what it seems ROTC prepares you more to be a Marine Officer just because you go through OCS (admittedly a shortened version), instead of a 4-week "Leatherneck" training with little other Marine exercises at the academy.
Anyways, that's all I had to say. You really can't go wrong either way! Good luck in your decision and whichever path you choose!
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At USNA, there are substantially more Marine officers and enlisted personnel available, from a cross-section of MOS, available as resources. There is the Semper Fi Society to provide regular engagement.

The two paths are not the same, just different, with all paths for officers leading to TBS, where all Navy blood is drained out and Devil Dog is transfused in. The Marines pay a lot of attention to their officer accession paths, because they are *“the few,” and different approaches work in different settings.

Your last comments are absolutely correct!


*Reference to a famous Marine recruiting slogan, still my favorite:
“The few. The proud. The Marines.”
 
One of my favorites. This was put out in response to the Few Good Men poster. Fortunately the Marine Corps can still recruit with this message. The current commandant said, paraphrased, "We don't offer enlistment bonuses. We offer the chance to earn the title."
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