Combat Positions

U

US21

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
33
Hi all,
I am interested in going into a warfare career after SA/ROTC/etc. I am in high school and strong in academics, but I do not stand out in sports/athletically. I have a passing CFA though. I want to attend SA, is because this will ready me physically to join the Marine corp/warfare career.
Will this likely hinder me and make the MOC/admissions doubt my performance (leading to rejection)?

Thank you.
 
Your desire to serve in a combat role is to be commended, though it’s unclear exactly what your question is. I’ll just say that academics are the most important factor for academies and ROTC. Participation in varsity sports is not a must, but it is highly advantageous — 93% of USNA Class of 2022 did. If you don’t have varsity sports, then strengthen the rest of your package as much as possible, via top grades in challenging classes, high SAT/ACT, impactful leadership roles, etc.

Do not confuse varsity sports with CFA. While fitness is certainly an aspect of sports, the emphasis on sports is based on teamwork, leadership, persistence, discipline, etc. One can max out the CFA without having developed any of those aspects. So you’ll need to demonstrate those attributes via another route. Finally, in the spirit of strengthening all other parts of your package, don’t settle for “passing” the CFA (whatever “passing” means). Strive to max out every event instead.
 
US21 said:
I want to attend SA, is because this will ready me physically to join the Marine corp/warfare career.
Click to expand...
If you are interested in the Marine Corps and attending a service academy, you would be far better off posting this question on the USNA website as USMA is focused on producing Army officers, where USNA's goal is to commission both Naval and Marine Corps officers.
 
I would add that NROTC would also prepare you physically for the Corps. I know several Infantry Officers who came out of NROTC Marine Option. You'll get out of the program what you put into it. You should also study the various MOSs available and see if there are backup you would be interested in if you don't get your first choice(s). There is a recent thread where I explain the MOS selection process for officers. Search for it and read it Probably easiest to find all my recent posts and sort it out.
 
Great info from above of course. Find kinnem's post for the Marine MOS quality spread. The only MOS guaranteed is contracted pilots and lawyers. All others are up for grabs. I know a Harvard finance guy who is an infantry officer. A Virginia Tech engineer who is a finance officer. The Marine Corps works in mysterious ways. I was stationed with them three times which is longer than most Mirines, and I was a Sailor.
 
Devil Doc said:
Great info from above of course. Find kinnem's post for the Marine MOS quality spread. The only MOS guaranteed is contracted pilots and lawyers. All others are up for grabs. I know a Harvard finance guy who is an infantry officer. A Virginia Tech engineer who is a finance officer. The Marine Corps works in mysterious ways. I was stationed with them three times which is longer than most Marines, and I was a Sailor.
Click to expand...

I misspelled Marines above. I dropped and did push-ups as punishment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top