Commissioning options

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Cmac154

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My DS is applying for an AROTC scholarship. He’s currently thinking he wants to attend a SMC like The Citadel or Norwich. An AROTC family recently told him/us that ROTC students at non-SMC colleges have better options post-college than The Citadel. It’s possible I’m using the wrong terminology here. Basically, they are telling him they will get what they want after AROTC at U of FL before AROTC students at The Citadel. Is there any truth to this? My DS thinks a Corp of Cadets is what he wants. Thanks!
 
Cmac154 said:
My DS is applying for an AROTC scholarship. He’s currently thinking he wants to attend a SMC like The Citadel or Norwich. An AROTC family recently told him/us that ROTC students at non-SMC colleges have better options post-college than The Citadel. It’s possible I’m using the wrong terminology here. Basically, they are telling him they will get what they want after AROTC at U of FL before AROTC students at The Citadel. Is there any truth to this? My DS thinks a Corp of Cadets is what he wants. Thanks!
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Do you mean branch? I am not certain. My husband spent 24 years in the Army. IMO - it is all based on the needs of the Army. I would ask the PMS at each school he's considering. It is hard to think that one person at a single AROTC program would have the inside scoop on all of HRC and where LTs are placed or what branch they get upon graduation. I would think a lot of this has a lot more to do with academic and ROTC performance and the career field that your DS would like to pursue upon commissioning, i.e., medical, artillery, engineering, etc. That is just my two cents.
 
For those selected for active duty, branch selection is based on their position in the Order of Merit List. Position on the list is determined by factors such as GPA, and ROTC performance including the PMS's assessment. Folks below the active duty cutoff at non-SMC colleges go Reserves. Cadets at SMCs are virtually assured of active duty by law, if they want it; unless they're total screw up and their PMS shoots them down.

Their branch selection may now be affected by major in certain areas, e.g. cyber security. Generally speaking though, one's branch selection is not affected by major.
 
In terms of branching or what component you commission into, college of attendance doesn't matter as it is based on your National OML rank, and how the branches rank you as a candidate.

I would recommend going to a regular college with ROTC than an SMC. If your DS has interest in the SMC college environment, better off trying to get into a Service Academy. Why pay for a college experience that places a lot of constraints on you? Whether a normal college ROTC program, SMC, or Service Academy, all commissions are equal. No one really cares where you got your gold bar from.
 
I'll also throw in the obligatory two-cent observation that Texas A&M and Virginia Tech are both SMCs and, very predominately, civilian institutions. So that is another SMC option to consider.
 
Cmac154 said:
My DS is applying for an AROTC scholarship. He’s currently thinking he wants to attend a SMC like The Citadel or Norwich. An AROTC family recently told him/us that ROTC students at non-SMC colleges have better options post-college than The Citadel. It’s possible I’m using the wrong terminology here. Basically, they are telling him they will get what they want after AROTC at U of FL before AROTC students at The Citadel. Is there any truth to this? My DS thinks a Corp of Cadets is what he wants. Thanks!
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What is meant by post-college? Do you mean after they get out of the military? Or just to commissioning options?
 
Cmac154 said:
My DS is applying for an AROTC scholarship. He’s currently thinking he wants to attend a SMC like The Citadel or Norwich. An AROTC family recently told him/us that ROTC students at non-SMC colleges have better options post-college than The Citadel. It’s possible I’m using the wrong terminology here. Basically, they are telling him they will get what they want after AROTC at U of FL before AROTC students at The Citadel. Is there any truth to this? My DS thinks a Corp of Cadets is what he wants. Thanks!
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“Better Options,” is a very ambiguous comment. Perhaps what they meant was a regular university may offer more majors than some of the smaller SMCs do. Or perhaps they don’t understand that whether at a regular university or an SMC, once the ROTC scholarship student enters their commitment year, they have the same military obligation. SMCs offer a variety of college experiences - some are large universities (TAMU is the largest university in the US at over 72,000 students) and others are small colleges (The Citadel has less than 2,400 undergraduates and VMI less than 1900). The primary consideration for the student should be whether they will do well at a large university or benefit form being at a small college. Doing well academically and being fully engaged in ROTC classes, labs and the unit, is key to high placement on the OML, and branch assignment whether at a regular college or SMC. Being part of a Corps of Cadets at all SMCs involves a commitment beyond academics or athletics that requires a good bit of self reflection on what type of challenge the student wants for four years. Today many SMC graduates do not enter the military, but benefit from the experience as they prepare themselves for challenging careers in medicine, engineering and law enforcement, etc. As for paying for the experience - there is no difference between a regular university and an SMC. financial aid in addition to the ROTC scholarship, at either a regular university or an SMC depends on a student’s family contribution (per the FASBA) and how competitive are their academic credentials. No difference - if a student is highly competitive, all colleges will try to meet their financial needs.
 
glen said:
“Better Options,” is a very ambiguous comment. Perhaps what they meant was a regular university may offer more majors than some of the smaller SMCs do. Or perhaps they don’t understand that whether at a regular university or an SMC, once the ROTC scholarship student enters their commitment year, they have the same military obligation. SMCs offer a variety of college experiences - some are large universities (TAMU is the largest university in the US at over 72,000 students) and others are small colleges (The Citadel has less than 2,400 undergraduates and VMI less than 1900). The primary consideration for the student should be whether they will do well at a large university or benefit form being at a small college. Doing well academically and being fully engaged in ROTC classes, labs and the unit, is key to high placement on the OML, and branch assignment whether at a regular college or SMC. Being part of a Corps of Cadets at all SMCs involves a commitment beyond academics or athletics that requires a good bit of self reflection on what type of challenge the student wants for four years. Today many SMC graduates do not enter the military, but benefit from the experience as they prepare themselves for challenging careers in medicine, engineering and law enforcement, etc. As for paying for the experience - there is no difference between a regular university and an SMC. financial aid in addition to the ROTC scholarship, at either a regular university or an SMC depends on a student’s family contribution (per the FASBA) and how competitive are their academic credentials. No difference - if a student is highly competitive, all colleges will try to meet their financial needs.
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My son wants to go active duty after college and is hoping to get an ROTC scholarship. He has been actively engaged in Sea Cadets and JROTC so he’s pretty confident in his desire to be in a Corp of Cadets. He’s a small school kid and enjoys drill and color guard so Norwich and The Citadel both seemed like good options. Just started second guessing after casual conversation with people who were telling him he has a better chance of getting his desired post-college army job if he doesn’t go to a SMC. It seemed counter intuitive to me. Thanks!
 
Cmac154 said:
My son wants to go active duty after college and is hoping to get an ROTC scholarship. He has been actively engaged in Sea Cadets and JROTC so he’s pretty confident in his desire to be in a Corp of Cadets. He’s a small school kid and enjoys drill and color guard so Norwich and The Citadel both seemed like good options. Just started second guessing after casual conversation with people who were telling him he has a better chance of getting his desired post-college army job if he doesn’t go to a SMC. It seemed counter intuitive to me. Thanks!
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Yes, I can’t understand the comment. First,
small colleges will offer students a better student/faculty ratio and access to support services. The Citadel ratio is 12:1. There are no teaching assistants or large seminar like Gen Ed classes as are typical at universities. This all provides an opportunity to do well academically in the critical first year of college.
Second, as someone mentioned, Branch assignments are based on where he ranks on the OML. The OML should be blind to the school he graduates from. Third, at a SMC, he will be in a larger community of highly motivated cadets that will push him to achieve his goals, with less distractions. But the student must be motivated - whichever type experience he is seeking. Best of luck.
 
Cmac154, another great SMC option for AROTC is the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Dahlonega GA.
ung.edu

Cadet Admissions

The Corps of Cadets, also known as the Boar’s Head Brigade, is founded upon principles of integrity and honor; its Cadets live in an atmosphere highly conducive to the development of young men/women for leadership roles in their chosen professions.
ung.edu ung.edu
 
If the original questions refers to a post-military career, well getting a degree from Harvard or other IVY league school (assuming they have a rotc program) could be a bigger boost than going to Citadel or Norwich. On the other hand, going to an IVY is going to get you farther than going to Boise State also. So I guess it really depends on what civilian school you want to go to but it also depends on your schools networking system. My younger son went to a smaller school in Boston but their networking system known as the Emerson Mafia is very very good in helping people get jobs.
 
Infantry_Dad said:
Cmac154, another great SMC option for AROTC is the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Dahlonega GA.
ung.edu

Cadet Admissions

The Corps of Cadets, also known as the Boar’s Head Brigade, is founded upon principles of integrity and honor; its Cadets live in an atmosphere highly conducive to the development of young men/women for leadership roles in their chosen professions.
ung.edu ung.edu
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Thanks. We did visit UNG in the spring and it wasn’t for him. We had an awful tour guide. We were all immediately turned off that within the first 5 minutes of conversation the cadet tour guide was putting down students at The Citadel.
 
Sorry to hear that as UNG is a great option both educationally and financially for potential AROTC cadets that want the the Corp of Cadets lifestyle. As you probably saw during your tour the area is beautiful and US Army Camp Merrill is literally down the street which is home to 5th RTB/Mountain Phase of Ranger School. Both Norwich and the Citadel are fantastic SMC choices and you can't go wrong with either as they both turnout some excellent 1LTs. UNG also produces a large number of high quality 1LTs as well. At the end of the day though the thing that matters is where your son is the comfortable from a University/Corp of Cadet standpoint.
 
The school is not the most important component of a military future. It is all about what the cadet/mid DOES with the opportunity.

Here are the schools attended by the last nine Chairs of the Joint Chiefs:
  • Mark Milley: Princeton University - AROTC
  • Joseph Dunford: Saint Michaels College - Marine OCS
  • Martin Dempsey: USMA
  • Mike Mullen: USNA
  • Peter Pace: USNA
  • Richard Meyers: Kansas State University - AFROTC
  • Hugh Shelton: North Carolina State University - AROTC
  • John Shalikashvili: Bradley University - Army OCS
  • Colin Powell: City College of New York - AROTC
 
Your school name means less than who you become and how you act. Lets face it. Statistically no one on the forum will become a general. Most will get out after their initial commitment. Go to the school you will be successful at and will enjoy. State U is perfectly fine.
 
If you live in SC, the citadel is a big deal. Outside of SC the citadel is the school that lit that girl on fire years ago. West Pointers look down on SMC grads (you paid to get hazed!?) it doesn’t matter where you go. War gaming commissioning and branching is crazy. **** bags are going to **** bag. Good folks do well.
State U is as good as Ivy in The Army. Advanced Camp cadre see all and know this.
A good school name gets you about 5 minutes of “oh cool” in front of your unit.
 
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