Doing a sport and NROTC?

c.long

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2013
Messages
42
I was notified about two weeks ago that I would be getting the NROTC ISR Endorsement. I am mainly looking at colleges where I can swim at competitively and do NROTC. Is it difficult to do both NROTC and a collegiate sport at a Division 1 level? Are there any NROTC Units that do not allow me to do a collegiate sport in conjunction with NROTC? Thanks for the help!
 
I am currently running track and doing AROTC, its definitely a lot to say the least. Best advice I can give is start communicating early and trying to figure out scheduling problems in order to work around them. Unfortunately for me there were a lot, especially when STX's and FTX's came around.

When it came down to it, AROTC was very willing to work around the small stuff for instance PT or labs on Thursdays where we didn't go off campus. Like I said, the bigger events and training exercises you have to look at priorities, for instance, I am contracted and under scholarship for AROTC. This mean that running is something extra that I am choosing to do. Although fully dedicated to competitive running, it was something extra, and I had to put that into perspective. At the same time, it can't always take the back seat. For this reason, that's why communication between you and your coach for swimming and NROTC cadre is key.

I would also recommend easing into it, taking on so much, if you're not used to it is stressful to say the least. Remember, you are also a full time student. I cannot stress enough how important time management is between practices, school work, and NROTC obligations. Good luck, and above all, just have fun with it.
 
Awesome! Thank you for that information. Would you happen to know what would happen if I were to recieve scholarship money from the collegiate sport? Because then I am sort of bound to both. I understand that NROTC would come first but would it be a big issue if I am given athletic scholarship but could not go to a meet or something like that because of a scheduling conflict with ROTC?

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app.
 
I am going to assume you can replace your PFT requirements with your early morning swims. Afternoon swims will be a little more tricky.

The advantage you have over football, basketball, etc. is that you can get most of your training in before classes even start in the morning. Also, as an individual sport, you have a lot more flexibility in your training regimen than do team sport athletes (excepting relays, of course).

The bigger issue will probably be how much time your sport needs to travel large distance to off-campus meets. For example, if your NROTC primary training is on Thursday afternoons at 2pm, and you miss two Thursday afternoons per month for four months traveling to meets, that's a big deal. I'm going to assume some PNSs will be OK with that, and others won't.
 
Dunninla hit the nail on the head with the traveling part and the individual sport aspect of training. Running and swimming are a lot alike in that aspect.

I still did PT in the mornings, and at one point started earlier on days that I had to lead PT. This coincided well since my training regiment for running was 2 a days. It got the point where I would shower in the gym immediately after and carry my PT gear around most of the day so I wouldn't waste time. The afternoon was tricky, I also did Ranger Challenge, my second run of the day sometimes was a drag. I traveled twice, and on both occasions I missed Thursday Lab, but the other weeks where we were doing new or more important labs in Thursdays, traveling and missing was a no go. The simple reason was where was my scholarship coming from, the longer reason was balancing important meets that I wanted to compete in versus missing an important lab for a small meet.

To answer the question about dual scholarships, I don't really know. Although I am running, I walked onto the team. I would imagine it is dependent upon the program(s) (NROTC and swimming). A lot of aspects come into play with this, my issue personally was Title IV, where I was not on the roster during cross country season and made the track team. Logically IMO, taking the NROTC scholarship is both beneficial for you and your swimming coach, and here's why. By taking the scholarship for NROTC, this frees up money that the swimming program can use to recruit other top caliber swimmers. For this reason, my coach was more willing to work with me knowing that I was not financially a variable and I would be committed to running. The caveat to freeing up money and getting another top caliber athlete in the program that isn't you is again Title IV. This might be less of an issue for a Division III athlete, not because it's Division III, but rather less money in the program for a D3 school. Division I, coaches are trying to get bang for the buck when it comes to athletes and it is a lot more competitive, as you know. Again, all speculation on my part from my experience, take it with a grain of salt.

I feel like most of us can only speculate and give you a broad answer to the whole question you are asking. The best thing you can do is start emailing the cadre (who during the summer may not be that reachable) as well as the coach. They will have a definite answer to your situation. Also, I hate to say it, but if you had to choose one, do you see your self as a Commissioned Officer or swimming professionally after college. That is a question I am constantly asking myself when I have to decided between the two.
 
Okay, thanks for that. I am going to contact the different Units that I'm also being recruited for swimming and see what they say. Thanks for the help!

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app.
 
Thanks for all of the info and advice. I definitely see myself as an Officer before a professional athlete. I love swimming, but I love my country more. I'll contact coaches and Units and see what they all say and go from there. Again I appreciate all of your help!

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app.
 
Back
Top