DEP and NROTC

[Mcb_barton]

I recently started talks with a recruiter about NROTC at the beginning of the school year, and I sent in my application a few weeks ago, but am still waiting on some parts of it to be sent in. Meanwhile, my recruiter has told me that I should join the Delayed Entry Program because it will help with my NROTC scholarship. He has also mentioned the ISR scholarship to me, and says that he wants to get me in to interview with the recruiting commanding officer of the area. He says that joining the Delayed Entry Program will help me with this ISR selection process. How much truth is there to his claims? Also, does anyone know more about the ISR scholarship?

 

[kinnem]

Just my opinion, do NOT sign up for the delayed entry program. If you do, and do not get a scholarship, then you will be enlisting. There goes college and becoming an officer, at least for the time being. Very high risk approach. If you do not get a scholarship and want to enlist, you can always make that decision later. Recruiters are good, but they are trained to enlist folks and have quotas to meet. At a minimum make sure you are doing what YOU want to do. There is nothing wrong with enlisting or even signing up for DEP but be certain your eyes are wide open.

 

[Mcb_barton]

Just my opinion, do NOT sign up for the delayed entry program. If you do, and do not get a scholarship, then you will be enlisting. There goes college and becoming an officer, at least for the time being. Very high risk approach. If you do not get a scholarship and want to enlist, you can always make that decision later. Recruiters are good, but they are trained to enlist folks and have quotas to meet. At a minimum make sure you are doing what YOU want to do. There is nothing wrong with enlisting or even signing up for DEP but be certain your eyes are wide open.

Thanks, think I’m going to hold off on signing up for DEP. Like you said: I can always sign up for it months from now if I don’t get the scholarship, and decide that I’d rather enlist then do college program. Do you also know anything about the ISR scholarship?

 

[kinnem]

Not a thing. You might search past threads for 'ISR scholarship'. There are at least a few threads out there. Hopefully they might shed some light.

Of course you know what's best for your situation, but the college program is nothing to sneeze at. You will have a few opportunities to apply for a scholarship as a midshipman. DS went this route and was awarded a scholarship that kicked in the second semester of sophomore year (just as Dad was running out of cash on hand! )

I was totally amazed at the way my son changed while in college. In high school he would do as little as possible academically but was still a solid B student. I knew he could do better. In college he was on the Dean's list all of freshman and sophomore year and at least one semester each subsequent year. He became responsible and put in a lot of effort for a change. I attribute, without a doubt, all these changes to his NROTC participation. The college program can have a big positive impact on your life.

Of course finances often dictate these decisions and there is no wrong path.

 

[Mcb_barton]

Not a thing. You might search past threads for 'ISR scholarship'. There are at least a few threads out there. Hopefully they might shed some light.

Of course you know what's best for your situation, but the college program is nothing to sneeze at. You will have a few opportunities to apply for a scholarship as a midshipman. DS went this route and was awarded a scholarship that kicked in the second semester of sophomore year (just as Dad was running out of cash on hand! )

I was totally amazed at the way my son changed while in college. In high school he would do as little as possible academically but was still a solid B student. I knew he could do better. In college he was on the Dean's list all of freshman and sophomore year and at least one semester each subsequent year. He became responsible and put in a lot of effort for a change. I attribute, without a doubt, all these changes to his NROTC participation. The college program can have a big positive impact on your life.

Of course finances often dictate these decisions and there is no wrong path.

Thanks, college program is still my main backup plan if I don’t receive the scholarship while in HS.

 

[USMCGrunt]

@Mcb_barton: Joining the DEP will not help your ISR or NROTC chances. It will help you enter the Marine Corps as an enlisted man. Perhaps your recruiter is well-meaning or perhaps there is another motive, but either way DEP will not help your pursuit of becoming an Officer.

As @kinnem notes, use the search function on this Forum to find details on the ISR program.

 

[Mcb_barton]

@Mcb_barton: Joining the DEP will not help your ISR or NROTC chances. It will help you enter the Marine Corps as an enlisted man. Perhaps your recruiter is well-meaning or perhaps there is another motive, but either way DEP will not help your pursuit of becoming an Officer.

As @kinnem notes, use the search function on this Forum to find details on the ISR program.

Thank you.

 

[ProudDad17]

My DS was awarded an ISR. I didn't see anything in the search bar searching for ISR, but I know it has been discussed in other threads in the past, but ISR just wasn't in the title. I did recently describe a little about the ISR in this thread: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/interview.64578/

As others have stated above, I don't see how joining DEP would help with your application, particularly for an ISR.