I am currently an advanced standing midshipman who was service selected for SWO, but has since realized this is not something that I want to do or think that I will be able to do because of a moderate case of separation anxiety and depression. If I end up deploying I do not think that I will be able to complete my duties and that I will be a detriment to the ship. I am looking to drop the program and read on the contract that dropping could subject me to the potential for Active Enlisted Service up to the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy. Does anyone know someone who has gone through this process? What are the chances that I am actually required to enlist?
Dropping Advanced Standing Questions
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Minimalmaple28
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Very high, and if this is something you didn’t disclose in your medical exam, you could be in some trouble. I beg of you to really think this over before you make this decision. If you drop, you’ll have taken the spot from someone who would have actually loved it, or had been their livetime goal.
It had been a goal for me since I was a kid, the anxiety and depression are something that has only recently come to light, well after I had signed on that dotted-line. I only realized that this is not for me in the past few months because of personal circumstances that I had unforseen. I was thinking that because of these new issues there may be a medical reason that I can not go through with this that would excuse me from the enlisted service.
If you are unable to be released for medical reasons and you are on a NROTC Scholarship, there is a very good chance that you will be required to pay back the amount of the scholarship you have received instead of any enlistment option.
I would start a conversation with your NROTC Cadre as soon as possible.
Don't add stress to yourself by thinking you took someone's place in the program. You earned where you are today. There are cadets and mids that find themselves in this position every year that drop the program for various reasons.
I would start a conversation with your NROTC Cadre as soon as possible.
Don't add stress to yourself by thinking you took someone's place in the program. You earned where you are today. There are cadets and mids that find themselves in this position every year that drop the program for various reasons.
I have nothing to back up what I am saying, but if you if you have a psychological issue for not wanting to serve as an officer on a ship, I would find it hard to understand if they would make you enlist so you could serve on a ship. If you want to get out of serving because of psychological issues, you better start documenting this with a medical professional. Do you see a civilian or military doctor, I have no idea but you would probably have to document and prove you are having an issue. They may still make you pay back any scholarship money, but maybe having a medical issue may make them sympathetic. As for worrying about taking someone else place, that is a silly idea. That would mean that everyone who voluntarily quit, terminated or medically disqualified screwed somebody over and isnt true. If you went in with the best intentions and it didnt work out, then their is no moral issue there.
ProudDad17
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Agree that you may have to repay any financial benefits you have received, but if you are on Advanced Standing, that would just be any stipend and book money you have received, so not a ton of money to pay back. I would think that if you have documented psychological issues that prevent you from being fit to serve, you probably wouldn't for required to enlist. Best first step is to talk to your NROTC adviser.
I have spoken with my adviser who only told me that he isn't sure because he is new to the unit and has never encountered a similar situation. My therapist is through the school and is civilian. While they do not typically release records, I will ask that they release these records to the Navy. I have no issue with paying back any money as long as I am not required to enlist.
If you are able to provide medical documents of suffering from depression, you should be ok. You're on advanced standing so there is no scholarship money to pay back besides stipends, which for advanced standing MIDN, that is a MAXIMUM of $3500 junior year, and a MAXIMUM of $4000 senior year (plus whatever money you made on cruise). Most likely you won't have to pay all of that since most MIDN that earn advanced standing don't contract before those 10 months of received stipend (you may have though). You're a senior now, and if you decide to drop right now, you avoid paying back the 4 more months of stipend for this upcoming semester.
Talk with your Battalion Staff, but my guess is you won't have to worry about enlisting due to the factors stated above.
Talk with your Battalion Staff, but my guess is you won't have to worry about enlisting due to the factors stated above.
What NROTC or Naval Policy is your source for stating that OP will have to enlist?
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I'm not even sure you're obligated to pay back the stipend. I don't think scholarship MIDN pay back the stipend, only the tuition... but I could be all wrong about that. Your cadre should know. Did the adviser say he or she would look into it?
Despite what some others have said, make these decisions based on what's best for you, not some hypothetical person who wanted it more than you and therefore you're obligated to continue. But then I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir.
Despite what some others have said, make these decisions based on what's best for you, not some hypothetical person who wanted it more than you and therefore you're obligated to continue. But then I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir.
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The contract for advanced standing midshipmen states that they may be forced to enlist at the Navy's discretion. I know, I was surprised by that as well. I though an advaced standing MIDN would probably be able to walk away, and who knows... maybe he will.
Go Dores!
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A very low chance given what you have indicated about your documented condition. Regulations require that the PNS is required to consider AES for any midshipmen who DORs within 12 months of graduation date. There are reasons why this was put in place. Your condition is not one of them.