Cadet Roommate

[bfhsj]

Hi, I will be starting college next year on a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship and am hoping to get some advice. I will be living on-campus for likely all four years.

Do cadets often room with other cadets? I'm thinking there are a lot of advantages to this, specifically getting up at the same time in the morning and likely both going to sleep early, being able to share notes/help each other out with ROTC-related work, and making a stronger friend in the battalion.
Are there any disadvantages I'm not thinking of?

Thanks so much.

 

[kinnem]

Well, my son tried each year after freshman year to live with other midshipmen. It never really worked out because the other folks dropped from the program before, or shortly after, they moved into their apartment(s). Besides that there are the normal downsides when your roommate is a slob and you're not. Also, other than waking up at the same time and commuting together, I really didn't see much advantage (observing the midshipmen who lived across the hall). There really isn't that much folks can help each other with other than academics, at least in NROTC. I guess it would be easier to work out together but it's not that hard to arrange anyway (by working out I mean outside of PT).

 

[AROTC-dad]

There can be an advantage to rooming with NON cadets/mids. You wake up earlier and have the bathroom and kitchen (for apartment dwellers) to yourself.

My DS roomed with three non cadets. Curiously, one of them found college not to their liking but was impressed with what he learned from DS and is now dripping out and enlisting!

 

[Jcleppe]

Both of my sons went to the extreme, they joined a Fraternity, the same one as it turned out. The older one had no other cadets in the house with him, the younger one had one cadet that joined the battalion live in the house for a couple years. My older son lived in the house for two years and then moved to an apartment with 3 of his Fraternity friends, the younger son stayed in the house all four years. If I remember correctly I don't think many of the cadets roomed together, I knew of just a few that did.

Now this is just my opinion and I think my sons shared it. They enjoyed living with non cadets, said it gave them an opportunity to be part of the school that was not ROTC. Realize that you will spend a lot of time with your fellow cadets, you may not want to live with them as well but that's something you'll decide.

It's true that you will be a ROTC cadet, but unlike an Academy or a SMC, you will be at a traditional university, take advantage of that. ROTC will keep you busy but not to busy that you can't be involved with school outside of ROTC. My younger son was a School Senator one year, on the Fraternity Executive Board one year, and President of the School IFC for a year, all of this outside of ROTC. Your only a college undergrad once, make the best of it, branch out, get involved, and take advantage of whatever you can. Manage your time and you can do this while still succeeding in ROTC. Both sons did well in ROTC and both branched Aviation. Stay focused and you can succeed in ROTC while fully enjoying your college experience.

Probably more information then you were asking for, hope some of it was helpful.

Just to add to this, Getting up early for PT was sometimes a challenge while living in the house because the rest of then did not have to get up so early, but they got used to it and found a good routine. AROTC-dad is right, when they did get up early they had the run of the place.

 

[unkown1961]

My son is in a dorm with non ROTC roommates. I think rooming with non ROTC students helps you expand your social circle and group of friends. One of the benefits of college is being exposed to kids form different cultures, areas, etc. Having a social life outside of ROTC will help this.

 

[Akrogan]

In my 3rd year of AFROTC at a huge detachment. 1 of my roommates is also in AFROTC, and TONS of cadets live together in apartments and houses off campus. It works out really well, and in general we're all very close with one another.

 

[5Day]

DS rooms with a fellow Midshipman, but they are the only 2 ROTC students in a suite of 10, so maybe that is the best of both worlds. However, next year he will be sharing an apartment with 5 other Midshipmen.

One battalion we visited they roomed freshman Midshipmen together, the had some influence in the room mate selection process. The other battalions we visited did not have any influence. The key to getting along with your freshman roommate is patience, tolerance and a good pair of noise canceling headphones.

 

[bfhsj]

Thanks so much for the responses. They give me a lot to think about.

What I'm concerned about most is being able to go to sleep early without being woken up and then wake up early without disturbing my roommate. I would think both of these would be difficult with a roommate who isn't a cadet.

 

[USMA 1994]

My DD picked her roommate with a similar major as she saw this would be most helpful. She politely said no to another cadet as well as a track teammate. It has worked out well as she has three social groups and has expanded her horizons.
You figure out how not to wake others up in the early morning hours but good luck finding a dorm that will let you go to sleep early.

 

[AROTC-dad]

You figure out how not to wake others up in the early morning hours but good luck finding a dorm that will let you go to sleep early.

After his freshman year in the dorms, this is the key reason he moved to an apartment with a private bedroom. DS has learned that sleep is necessary for morning PT!

 

[USMA 1994]

My DD would tell you that sleep is over rated. Between ROTC, Bio-Tech major and track practice, their is not much time for it. At least she doesn't have to do morning PT with her unit. The four hours a day of track workout is enough.

 

[AROTC-dad]

My DD would tell you that sleep is over rated. Between ROTC, Bio-Tech major and track practice, their is not much time for it. At least she doesn't have to do morning PT with her unit. The four hours a day of track workout is enough.

I agree, DS gets very little sleep as well. After breaking his pelvis and elbow, DS has made a point of daily PT as part of his rehab. A noisy dorm makes for poor quality of sleep which he needs for healing.

 

[nofodad]

FWIW, DS spent freshman year as the only cadet in a college dorm and then lived three years in off campus housing with all cadets. The improved amount of sleep and ease of transportation (DS was crosstown) made his life much easier.

 

[unkown1961]

Thanks so much for the responses. They give me a lot to think about.

What I'm concerned about most is being able to go to sleep early without being woken up and then wake up early without disturbing my roommate. I would think both of these would be difficult with a roommate who isn't a cadet.

I wouldn't worry about this - roommates learn to work with each other.

 

[DesertCaliMom]

On my application for college housing I asked for a messy room mate, because I wasn't the neatest person. My room mate said the same. Our room ended up being the wing hangout because it was the nicest room. Hah!

I say that because assignment will be geared towards you, but let yourself be surprised. Housing is an adventure but it's a great part of the experience.

 

[Dckc88]

My DD decided to go with a non-ROTC roommate and it has worked great. My DD is an early to bed, early riser always has been (like her mama), and her roommate is the opposite but they are both heavy sleepers and respectful of each other so it works so well they have chosen to room together next year. There is no guarantee for the roommate situation ROTC or not. There is the advantage of not being both in ROTC if you end up not getting along and so there is no risk of it carrying over to class, lab, PT, functions etc. basically you just have to go with your gut and decide on the experience you want your first year, good luck and remember whatever you choose is temporary, and can be adjusted the next year!

 

[Roxymom]

Thanks so much for the responses. They give me a lot to think about.

What I'm concerned about most is being able to go to sleep early without being woken up and then wake up early without disturbing my roommate. I would think both of these would be difficult with a roommate who isn't a cadet.

Exactly as others said- DS has had cadet, non and his close frat bros roomies. Over the years DS has used sleepy-time tea, relaxation music, earplugs , caffeine avoidance. Also learned how to manage w/ sleep deprivation-apparently none of which works on Sun eves after sleeping till noon that AM. Falling asleep Usually has nothing to do with his roommates - been in an apt last 3 yrs.

 

[bfhsj]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I would consider living off-campus, but the school I am planning on attending waives room & board fees for scholarship cadets (worth ~$12,000/year), so I don't think I can justify turning that down.

 

[Dckc88]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I would consider living off-campus, but the school I am planning on attending waives room & board fees for scholarship cadets (worth ~$12,000/year), so I don't think I can justify turning that down.

My daughter will be living on campus all four years for the same reason, however as an upper classman she will be able to live in a townhouse with a kitchen and her own room (we will have to pay a little since the waiver is only for double occupancy). There might be some apartment type options for youdown the road with campus housing.

 

[bfhsj]

My daughter will be living on campus all four years for the same reason, however as an upper classman she will be able to live in a townhouse with a kitchen and her own room (we will have to pay a little since the waiver is only for double occupancy). There might be some apartment type options for youdown the road with campus housing.

That sounds great, I hope so!