College Program NROTC accepted to USNA - drop NROTC?

A6E Dad

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DS got the call from MOC last week with the good news, appointed for Class of '22!

Now that he will be starting Plebe summer in June, is there any reason to stay on with the College Program? Would USNA have a problem if he dropped it?

On the one hand - since he is not on scholarship, and will be starting all over as a 4/C Midshipman, and he has no obligation to NROTC, it doesn't seem like it should be a problem. His Unit is fine with him dropping and said it would not in anyway be held against him.

On the other hand, dropping NROTC might be seen a lack of commitment and viewed negatively by USNA?

DS has been trying to contact his admissions rep, but unable to far. Has anyone come across this before? DS would like to focus on school, get good grades, and prepare for Plebe summer, and enjoy his last few months as a civilian. He obviously doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize his appointment standing.

Thanks
 
I’d say stick with it if they’ve received a nomination from the unit so it won’t look like you were in it just to get something from them.
 
MOCs give nominations, not offers of appointments. The Offer of Appointment comes directly from USNA, usually electronically and then followed up with a mailed copy.
Has his "portal" (Candidate Information System) updated to show "Offer of Appointment" and has he accepted the offer electronically?

If that is indeed the situation, then congratulations are in order!
When he shows up at I-Day (June 28th) that is when he will actually take the oath of office and be appointed as a midshipman.

On to ROTC.
So he's in college now as a "walk-on" NROTC student (with no scholarship) and wants to NOT sign up for this next semester, I take it?
He can certainly do that. If he already has accepted an Offer of Appointment, then he need not be concerned with how USNA will "view" this decision to not sign up for his next semester.
USNA will not care at all, as long as he remains healthy, fit, and out of trouble.

Insurance:
If he gets injured in a way that will preclude him from taking the oath on I-Day, then he will not be inducted and will have missed an entire semester of college.
(This is why some parents get nervous and want to wrap their kid in bubble wrap in the months leading up to I-Day.)
If that isn't a big deal (missing a semester of college which won't ultimately matter in the long run) and USNA is what he wants to do, then full steam ahead. Don't look back!
 
He has an 'fully qualified offer', but yes, won't be 'appointed' till I day. MOC is the one who called him to let him know. Hasn't accepted yet.

He is not going to drop college for the semester, just the College Program NROTC.

If for some reason, he MUST continue with NROTC for the semester, then he might as well accept the scholarship and then drop after the semester - however that seems like abusing the system
 
My recommendation would be NOT to drop the NROTC program for the semester. I believe that would send the wrong message... and if a Navy career is his goal (as I would hope it should be) then full participation in NROTC will only help make him a better future officer. I also would advise that until actually sworn-in on I-Day, anything could happen. i would hate to see him get hurt or have another complication arise. For now I suggest he stay the course... Finish the year strong.
 
Your son's goal is to commission as an officer in the Navy. He's been accepted into the Academy route, making ROTC unnecessary. I don't think leaving to focus on classes and life before Induction would be looked at unfavorably. Most plebes will have never participated in ROTC at all, so he shouldn't be judged for leaving once it became redundant.
 
Okay, now I see the big picture better.
He won't jeopardize his appointment standing in any way. He is really free to do what suits him, at this point.
He should enjoy that freedom while he still can!
 
Your son's goal is to commission as an officer in the Navy. He's been accepted into the Academy route, making ROTC unnecessary. I don't think leaving to focus on classes and life before Induction would be looked at unfavorably. Most plebes will have never participated in ROTC at all, so he shouldn't be judged for leaving once it became redundant.

That being said, if he were to be injured between now and the end of the semester to a point where his appointment was rescinded, how is the unit going to take it if he dropped them and then tries to come back because USNA didn’t work out?

I would say don’t burn bridges. And there’s plenty of officer development he can still gain from being with the unit. I was in ROTC when I reapplied and I didn’t cut ties with the unit until I left at the end of the semester.
 
My advice would be not to drop NROTC. If anything, take a lighter load with classes (perhaps too late for that), but the physical and leadership opportunities the NROTC unit will continue to provide during the spring semester shouldn't be overlooked. Perhaps he is not having that great of experience with his unit, but that is going to be his life for a long time (and much more challenging that NROTC combined with a civilian school). His body, mind and spirit might as well get used to it.
 
Since he's not on scholarship and his unit is telling him it's ok, I'd take that as a sign that it really is ok. Sometimes, it's just that simple.

I'd keep trying to get hold of the RD for his region to ask at the same time, but I really doubt USNA is going to hold it against him or rescind his appointment because he dropped a voluntary program to focus on his grades. He'll learn everything he needs to learn to graduate from USNA in the curriculum beginning next summer. But again, this is one guy's opinion... :)
 
Since he's not on scholarship and his unit is telling him it's ok, I'd take that as a sign that it really is ok. Sometimes, it's just that simple.

I'd keep trying to get hold of the RD for his region to ask at the same time, but I really doubt USNA is going to hold it against him or rescind his appointment because he dropped a voluntary program to focus on his grades. He'll learn everything he needs to learn to graduate from USNA in the curriculum beginning next summer. But again, this is one guy's opinion... :)

It's definitely not a question of USNA rescinding an appointment. For one he doesn't even have to tell him that he did. It really should come down to what's going to have the most benefit. And as someone who has been in this situation, I'd say sticking with the unit is the better option for many reasons.
 
I would encourage him to continue with NROTC. It can only make him a better Plebe and ultimately a better Naval Officer. It also keeps him in the groove for when he does report to the Academy.
 
thank you all
not surprisingly - a range of opinions :)
hopefully DS can get in touch with admissions rep at USNA to get the gouge

either way, he will keep the Naval Science class, which can only help.
 
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