Do you love your ROTC program?

[Texark147]

DS is trying to decide on what schools to apply to for his ROTC scholarship applications. He is interested in AFROTC and AROTC. He is looking for schools with around 5,000 to 10,000 students, with ABET accredited engineering, and great ROTC programs. The two on his list so far are Norwich and Cedarville University. His brother attends Cedarville and we love the school (also has great merit aid in case he doesn't receive an ROTC scholarship). DS doesn't know much about the ROTC programs there though. We are located in Illinois and need to choose one in state school, so any suggestions for an Illinois school are appreciated as well.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

The best advice I can give and have seen on this forum is to pick the school and not the unit. Most ROTC units have a pretty quick turnaround in leadership. Not only are students coming in and going out in 4 years or less, you also have the ROTC leadership coming in and going out also. This makes the units fluid in how they are managed.

Pick the schools that fit in DS's criteria, then reach out to the ROTC units to speak with the recruiting officer. They can tell you more about the size, feel, etc. All the units teach the same curriculum, though some have access to better/different facilities depending on the school, distance to a base for training, etc.

If DS is happy at the school, then there is a better chance he will be happy with the unit.

 

[Aglahad]

I think the consistently best ROTC programs (at least for AROTC) are those located near major bases. For example, my brother program near JBLM consistently had SF/Ranger cadre and G2G cadets.

They also usually get the best G2G cadets candidates, high speed cadre and a plethora of training opportunities that most schools do not have.

Leadership changes too much at most programs to make a difference.

 

[Texark147]

I think the consistently best ROTC programs (at least for AROTC) are those located near major bases. For example, my brother program near JBLM consistently had SF/Ranger cadre and G2G cadets.

They also usually get the best G2G cadets candidates, high speed cadre and a plethora of training opportunities that most schools do not have.

Leadership changes too much at most programs to make a difference.

Thank you for the info. Cedarville is near Wright Patterson Air base. I believe the "cross- town" college that they pair with is right next to the base.

 

[AROTC Parent]

DS is trying to decide on what schools to apply to for his ROTC scholarship applications. He is interested in AFROTC and AROTC. He is looking for schools with around 5,000 to 10,000 students, with ABET accredited engineering, and great ROTC programs. The two on his list so far are Norwich and Cedarville University. His brother attends Cedarville and we love the school (also has great merit aid in case he doesn't receive an ROTC scholarship). DS doesn't know much about the ROTC programs there though. We are located in Illinois and need to choose one in state school, so any suggestions for an Illinois school are appreciated as well.

Search the ABET website by State. For Illinois does it need to be a public school for the AROTC application? If so Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois are just over 11K undergrads. Don't know about their ROTC program but as others have indicated choose the school fit, not ROTC specifically. Bradley University in Peoria also has some ABET engineering degrees.

If considering further out.... I was impressed by the University of Vermont and Clarkson University in NY for engineering and AROTC. If visiting Norwich take a detour and check out UVM and Clarkson. UVM undergrad enrollment is just over 11K and Clarkson is just under 3K.

In Wisconsin consider MSOE for the engineering program but I know nothing of their ROTC program. Marquette has a good AROTC reputation and is also just over 11K undergraduate enrollment.

As others have said.... pick the school first. I would avoid any schools that have a long drive to a 'Host' school for ROTC.

 

[Texark147]

Search the ABET website by State. For Illinois does it need to be a public school for the AROTC application? If so Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois are just over 11K undergrads. Don't know about their ROTC program but as others have indicated choose the school fit, not ROTC specifically. Bradley University in Peoria also has some ABET engineering degrees.

If considering further out.... I was impressed by the University of Vermont and Clarkson University in NY for engineering and AROTC. If visiting Norwich take a detour and check out UVM and Clarkson. UVM undergrad enrollment is just over 11K and Clarkson is just under 3K.

In Wisconsin consider MSOE for the engineering program but I know nothing of their ROTC program. Marquette has a good AROTC reputation and is also just over 11K undergraduate enrollment.

As others have said.... pick the school first. I would avoid any schools that have a long drive to a 'Host' school for ROTC.

Great information. Thank you.

 

[flightdeck]

DS in AFROTC at Boston University (attends Northeastern - Type-1 Mechanical/Industrial Engineering) and he loves it, Detachment 355, Go Flying Tigers!

 

[Sargon]

Search the ABET website by State. For Illinois does it need to be a public school for the AROTC application? If so Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois are just over 11K undergrads. Don't know about their ROTC program but as others have indicated choose the school fit, not ROTC specifically. Bradley University in Peoria also has some ABET engineering degrees.

If considering further out.... I was impressed by the University of Vermont and Clarkson University in NY for engineering and AROTC. If visiting Norwich take a detour and check out UVM and Clarkson. UVM undergrad enrollment is just over 11K and Clarkson is just under 3K.

In Wisconsin consider MSOE for the engineering program but I know nothing of their ROTC program. Marquette has a good AROTC reputation and is also just over 11K undergraduate enrollment.

As others have said.... pick the school first. I would avoid any schools that have a long drive to a 'Host' school for ROTC.

UVM has a great ROTC building and what a town! My DD goes there. I really love visiting.

 

[Aglahad]

Thank you for the info. Cedarville is near Wright Patterson Air base. I believe the "cross- town" college that they pair with is right next to the base.

Definitely think that would help with AFROTC, maybe not so much AROTC

 

[Impulsive]

A word of advice..."Be Careful of the Unit you choose"! Some ROTC Units are fantastic, some are crap. Talk to current and former students if you can (the Unit can provide help with references if so inclined). Find out how successful the Program is (number of students starting and number Commissioning). Some ROTC academic programs require very technical majors with difficult schedules and academic needs. Some smaller Units fail to provide the required remediation, both academic and fitness wise because they have scheduling or other issues, so talking to graduates or current students is important. Getting into a Unit that cannot or will not provide the additional training that many students require is ripe for failure. Especially if you are attending a "cross town school" or "sister school" your choice may be extremely important as the primary school schedules things according to their schedule and not yours. JMHO

 

[BJD16]

Search the ABET website by State. For Illinois does it need to be a public school for the AROTC application? If so Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois are just over 11K undergrads. Don't know about their ROTC program but as others have indicated choose the school fit, not ROTC specifically. Bradley University in Peoria also has some ABET engineering degrees.

If considering further out.... I was impressed by the University of Vermont and Clarkson University in NY for engineering and AROTC. If visiting Norwich take a detour and check out UVM and Clarkson. UVM undergrad enrollment is just over 11K and Clarkson is just under 3K.

In Wisconsin consider MSOE for the engineering program but I know nothing of their ROTC program. Marquette has a good AROTC reputation and is also just over 11K undergraduate enrollment.

As others have said.... pick the school first. I would avoid any schools that have a long drive to a 'Host' school for ROTC.

MSOE trains at Marquette. When I was a cadet, our top cadet was from MSOE (now a COL at West Point with PHD), and he actually lived at Marquette for senior year and maybe junior too. He commuted back to MSOE for classes. It is only around 2 miles. UWM also trains at Marquette, but is further away and takes a while in city traffic.

 

[Texark147]

A word of advice..."Be Careful of the Unit you choose"! Some ROTC Units are fantastic, some are crap. Talk to current and former students if you can (the Unit can provide help with references if so inclined). Find out how successful the Program is (number of students starting and number Commissioning). Some ROTC academic programs require very technical majors with difficult schedules and academic needs. Some smaller Units fail to provide the required remediation, both academic and fitness wise because they have scheduling or other issues, so talking to graduates or current students is important. Getting into a Unit that cannot or will not provide the additional training that many students require is ripe for failure. Especially if you are attending a "cross town school" or "sister school" your choice may be extremely important as the primary school schedules things according to their schedule and not yours. JMHO

Thank you so much. I will pass this info along to my son and have him do some research and reach out to rotc cadets.

 

[franknd]

I'll throw in my 2 cents for Texas A&M, even though it's bigger than your target size, since you are considering another SMC. From all of the data I've seen over the last 5 years or so, A&M's performance w/r/t Army ROTC has been outstanding, and I assume it is likewise for AFROTC. Speaking from more personal experience, my son just finished Advanced Camp and is having a great time in Germany doing CTLT. His growth over the last three years has been exceptional, and I would attribute a lot of that to the Corps of Cadets and TAMU AROTC. Finally, anyone at A&M in the Corps of Cadets automatically gets in-state tuition.

 

[gooseblitz]

My DS is at University of San Diego and loves SDSU Aztec Battalion. HE is really happy with his school choice. I believe his cadre is changing this year so we will see how that change effects things. I think a large part is he loves the school and beach town life. A good example of chose the schools that fits.

 

[NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful]

My DS likes Vanderbilt and his unit a lot. It started very slow due to Covid restrictions and he was definitely not loving it the first year or two. But he had a great experience Spring of 2022 and all of last academic year, and it is in fact good being near Fort Campbell and Knox. I also think what @Ihavenoidea said about turnover is a very good point. He interviewed with one PMS and loved the guy--changed his mind about West Point vs. Vandy/ROTC. Then by the time he got there, that guy had retired! Next guy was new to ROTC, coupled with Covid...not ideal. Likes the current PMS a lot, she's very on top of things.

 

[clarksonarmy]

I appreciate the shout out to Clarkson above....If you are looking for engineering Clarkson is a good choice. We are an hour away from Fort Drum and on the Northern edge of the Adirondacks. We are a little smaller than your target, but the small campus breeds a very close knit community.

I would tell you that every ROTC program will train you well to lead in their organization, so there are very rarely programs you should avoid. It is far more critical to find the school and the academic environment that is the best fit.

Love it here at Clarkson, but it's not for everyone, just as military service isn't for everyone.

 

[Ryder70]

My son chose Norwich for AROTC, but University of Dayton was the number 1 ranked AROTC in Ohio for 2022. We toured the campus and met with them and they are a great group. That's pretty close to Cedarville if your boy wants to stay in that area.

 

[mascara_mom]

My son graduated at The University of Georgia with BS in Mechanical Engineering. Commissioned with AFROTC. HUGE school but small detachment which he loved.

 

[StPaulDad]

It was mentioned above but I wanted to throw some bright light on affordability. Pick a school you can afford without ROTC in case anything happens to your scholarship. College can be mind-blowingly expensive, and you don't want to be forced to transfer if your DS is injured, the program changes or he has a change of heart.

 

[Capt MJ]

I always like to spotlight my own undergrad alma mater, Wake Forest University, in NC. Undergrad college is slightly larger than a DoD service academy. One of the newest engineering schools in the nation, and ABET-accredited:

Program - Department of Engineering

Our Undergraduate-Only Program As one of the newest undergraduate engineering programs in the nation, Wake Engineering has had the unique opportunity to design the entire B.S. Engineering experience in a holistic and innovative manner. WE have engaged partners from across the liberal arts...

engineering.wfu.edu

A well-established AROTC unit (be sure to explore the hamburger menu in upper right, especially Prospective Cadets):

ROTC | Wake Forest University

Our mission is to develop leaders of character who are capable of winning in complex environments. We commission Army Officers to serve, train, and lead our nation’s Soldiers to fight and win our nation’s wars. What is Army ROTC? The ROTC program is designed to [...]

rotc.wfu.edu

Not far from “fun stuff training” at major Army posts in NC.

A high-quality undergraduate education that has been a major asset to me throughout my Navy and corporate careers. I am active with the veteran alumni (mostly Army, I’m a squid) group supporting veterans attending Wake with their VA educational benefit funds. Beautiful rolling campus set outside Winston-Salem on a former RJ Reynolds estate, plus a modern downtown campus. In the Piedmont area of NC, just a few hours west to the mountains and a few hours east to the beaches, plus Chapel Hill, Duke, NC State, Davidson, and other colleges for visiting and fun. Back in the 20th c, I turned down a tidy group of name-brand schools to go here, because it felt “just right” to me. It also helped I received a full tuition, fees, room/board, book and annual summer travel-research grant scholarship package. I dated a guy in the Army ROTC unit, got interested in the idea of service, and fell willingly into the smiles of Navy OCS recruiters (aviators both) dressed in their summer white uniforms with RayBans.


Choose the school that feels like your best fit. If you are happy at the school, you will enjoy your ROTC unit, which is held to the same national standard.