Superprouddad
Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2017
- Messages
- 13
Is the National pool really that big?My NROTC application has been complete for some time with no decision. My recruiting officer told me that a decision will come in May. I have friends who did not apply to any SA and received their ROTC decisions long ago. I think, but I'm not sure, that since SA and ROTC applications are somewhat connected they hold off on ROTC decisions until the SA's make their decision. Why give an ROTC scholarship to someone who gets accepted into an SA?
You might be right about the timing. I was his 1st alternate nominee. So he should know if his primary nominee has accepted, which may have prompted his call. His primary nominee accepts so he calls me to offer his help re: NROTC, assuming that I don't get selected from the national pool.
A couple things: academy and rotc programs are indeed independent of each other. They don’t decide or hold off offers based upon the others offers. DS actually received AFROTC, NROTC, and an appointment to USNA. So treat them completely separately. You can look around the rotc forums and find discussion about that as well as here.
Also, the NROTC scholarships are considered each board review, so you are not out until the boards are completely over and/or you are told no. I’m not an expert on that at all but that’s another thing you can find a lot of explanation and discussion about here. Try the ROTC forums, too.
And regarding MOC slate, their primary may not be 3Q’ed, may not accept, could get injured, etc. Lots of discussion about the fact that USNA is putting together a puzzle of pieces and can move people around to get the class they want. Plus the whole national pool thing! It’s not over for you until the TWE. To be the 1st alternative means MOC thinks very highly of you. Wonderful! But yes your point about the timing could make sense for the call.
Is your district competitive? Perhaps that is why MOC is more hands on at this point. Our congressman actually is very approachable and around a lot so DS has had the chance to interact with him more than I would have thought, perhaps that’s just how your MOC is. But I don’t see how your MOC would even be able to do any NROTC “recommendations” at this point as the application process is closed. All that can be done HAS been done at this point in the process.
Do you know if your MOC reaches out to everyone on their slate? Regardless, there is nothing that you can do now besides wait and see. Have a solid plan B, and know that MOC thought enough of you to reach out. You made an impression. So should it not work out this year, you have that connection as a feather in your cap for next year should you choose to apply!
We aren't super competitive (in Wisconsin) but this is one of those strange years. I talked to him after my interview when he "congratulated" me for being his #2 choice. He said that most years they have about 30 qualified applicants. This year they had about 45. Also, USNA was, by far, most people's first choice and in normal years it is more evenly spread out. And in most years I would have been the only Eagle Scout in his group but this year there were three. There were also several re-applicants this year. So it is just one of those years, I guess. He told me that any other year I would have likely been his first choice. I also interviewed with Senators but they work with Reps so as to not give double nominations.
I have talked to him a few times now but I didn't interview with him, of course. His committee made the nomination decision. But from talking to him I almost get the sense that he feels bad that I wasn't the #1 choice. I know that sounds arrogant for me to say that but just his almost apologetic tone makes me feel that way. He, himself, was Marine Corp officer for 7 years and served 2 deployments in Iraq. So he appreciates all who want to serve and he has been very encouraging. When he called me after my interview he did offer me USMMA but I don't want to simply take any appointment. My Scoutmaster also told me to apply for USAFA (he is class of '85) and USMA. But Naval service is my ultimate goal so I won't purse something that I'm not excited about.
We'll see happens. I would certainly accept USNA but in my mind I'm already onto my Plan B options which are Marquette, UW Madison, and V-Tech. All good schools with great NROTC units. I thought the same thing about him "recommending" me for NROTC. Nothing else can be done at this point, which is the strange thing about him saying that. As I think about this more it does seem to make sense that he found out that his #1 choice accepted so he is trying to help me reach my goals through NROTC. If that ends up happening I am fine with that. I would still intend to apply again next year.
Is this your only nom source? Do you happen to know how many of MOC's five slots are open? It sounds like he's been telegraphing to you all along the way that, as you are his #2, there's only so much he could do for you as far as USNA goes. It is curious that he'd call given the timing and all. So, it may be that he got the obligatory headsup from admissions about his slate winner, and he felt compelled to reach out to his #2. Hang in there. We'll all find out very soon, I gotta think.
Yes, only nom source. Our senators work with districts to coordinate and not offer double nominations...giving more people opportunities. He told me the first time we talked that he had one spot available at USNA. I didn't apply to USMMA before the deadline and, besides, I already told him that Naval service was my goal. I want to pursue Engineering as a focus and USMMA is more about logistics, maritime rules, supply chain/distribution, etc. Even commissioning into the USN after graduation I still would not get the education focus that I'm shooting for. It isn't just about free tuition for me. It is about life goals.
Your point is exactly what I was thinking too. His #1 choice accepted so he called me to offer whatever help he can. If that is true then I still have a shot through the national pool. I think there are something like 2,000 people in that pool competing for 200, or so, appointments. Or so I've heard. But I don't know how that process works at all. Do they just offer appointments from MOC's with open slots even if they are out of state/district? Either way, not much I can do about it now.
This process has been interesting for sure. I have met several people who have all had different experiences. One person I met was the first alternate two years in a row and didn't get in. Another person I know didn't get in his first try but reapplied the next year and got in as 3rd alternate...he was offered appointment in May. Nothing to do now but wait, pray, and prepare for all scenarios.
It's pretty big. But I just called my MOC office back to clarify. My thoughts were correct. The primary nominee was offered appointment and accepted. So my only option is the national pool but my MOC told me that they have never had anyone from our district get in through the national pool so they suggested I move ahead with plan b at this point. A bit more bad news. I just heard today that my NROTC application was denied.
So now it seems my best option is to choose a school that I want, pay full tuition at first, try and join NROTC once I get there, do the best that I can, and re-apply to USNA next year. Of course I will wait for an official decision from USNA but that is where I need to focus my thoughts now. It's all about what I can control.
