Few NROTC questions

S

Southern

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May 3, 2023
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I am a Prospective C/O '28 applying for Marine Option. Few questions I have:
The application booklet suggests I need to be meeting regularly with a recruiter, when is the best time to start this process if I have not formally met with one yet (just by cold call)?
Should I be meeting with a local recruiter or the person listed on my application pdf (RS or RSS) to prepare for the PFT?
Who would be a "coordinator"?
Who would I be interviewing with (NTAG or NROTC unit)? Instructions are not clear for Marine Option as to what my options are.
Should I be in contact with the officer listed on my NROTC PDF application?
When is the right time to submit the NROTC application?
Should I meet with someone to review my application with them prior to submitting my application?

Thanks!
 
Southern said:
Who would I be interviewing with (NTAG or NROTC unit)?
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Hopefully, one of the recently awarded Marine Options will clarify, but Marine Options are coordinated by their ROO at one of the Marine Recruiting Offices near you. Hopefully someone can give you better gouge, but the unit MOI's do not do those interviews.
 
+1 to @GWU PNS . Always make sure your talking with an Officer Selection Officer (OSO) or a Sgt who works for him. DS always worked with the District OSO, but he was nearby so...
 
The local recruiting office contacted my DS after he began filling out the preliminary portion of the application (name, address, contact info, etc). From there on out, everything was coordinated with the SSGT at the recruiting office. He was the single point of contact (or "coordinator" as you put it above) for administering the PFT, coordinating interviews, making sure deadlines were met, reviewing application, etc. He was also the person who called DS to let him know that he received the scholarship.

Now is a good time to begin the application with your basic information. It's also a good time (if you haven't already) to think about people you would like to write Letters of Recommendation (I believe you need at least 3) and begin reaching out to them so that they have plenty of time to write a really good letter for you. DS submitted his application in October in time for the first board, but you want to make sure that you submit the best application possible. Good luck to you!
 
Start getting in contact right away. But before you do, read the official Marine websites about NROTC and being a Marine officer so you sound serious about the program and your questions will be good ones and the discussions more worthwhile.

Our OSO (Officer Selection Officer) was the go-to to get things done; answering questions, PT testing, interviews, etc. It's good reaching out to him/her so they get to know you beyond just the interview as they will have a very big impact on how you are presented to the board. It's also good to know the local enlisted recruiter and say hello every time they visit your high school. In DS's case, the local recruiter was very attuned to the high school and I'm sure he and the OSO talked. He also got lots of free USMC flare. The local recruiter will be asking themselves "Would I follow this person as a Marine officer after four or five years of development?" so keep that in mind. They might talk to you about enlisting but so what? As long as you're talking to the OSO it won't hurt you. DS also visited the Marine Officer Instructor (MOI) at his first choice college. As part of that, he met the Navy Captain commanding the NROTC unit.

Several recommend doing PT with the recruiter's "poolies" (those who are prepping to enlist in the Marines). My DS had sports all the time that made this difficult and it didn't hurt him that he didn't but if you have the time it seems worthwhile. But you better be in shape and be tough because you're being watched in a different way than the poolies.

As part of the recruiting stations, they have Officer Selection Stations. Google the one nearest you to contact the OSO. Sometimes instead of calling the OSO directly, it's a little less scary to email a letter of introduction telling them a few key info items about yourself and asking if you could talk to them to find out more info on the process and how to be a good candidate.

Get in better shape than you imagined you needed to be in and good luck!
 
JohnMcLane said:
Start getting in contact right away. But before you do, read the official Marine websites about NROTC and being a Marine officer so you sound serious about the program and your questions will be good ones and the discussions more worthwhile.

Our OSO (Officer Selection Officer) was the go-to to get things done; answering questions, PT testing, interviews, etc. It's good reaching out to him/her so they get to know you beyond just the interview as they will have a very big impact on how you are presented to the board. It's also good to know the local enlisted recruiter and say hello every time they visit your high school. In DS's case, the local recruiter was very attuned to the high school and I'm sure he and the OSO talked. He also got lots of free USMC flare. The local recruiter will be asking themselves "Would I follow this person as a Marine officer after four or five years of development?" so keep that in mind. They might talk to you about enlisting but so what? As long as you're talking to the OSO it won't hurt you. DS also visited the Marine Officer Instructor (MOI) at his first choice college. As part of that, he met the Navy Captain commanding the NROTC unit.

Several recommend doing PT with the recruiter's "poolies" (those who are prepping to enlist in the Marines). My DS had sports all the time that made this difficult and it didn't hurt him that he didn't but if you have the time it seems worthwhile. But you better be in shape and be tough because you're being watched in a different way than the poolies.

As part of the recruiting stations, they have Officer Selection Stations. Google the one nearest you to contact the OSO. Sometimes instead of calling the OSO directly, it's a little less scary to email a letter of introduction telling them a few key info items about yourself and asking if you could talk to them to find out more info on the process and how to be a good candidate.

Get in better shape than you imagined you needed to be in and good luck!
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Thank you for your help! I appreciate the wisdom. With a depth of research and navigating a bunch of 404 codes, I was able to find my OSO. I have been unable to find an email point of contact still, but found the phone number and the office is no more than 10 miles from me so it is easy to make my way to the office if need be.
 
Southern said:
Thank you for your help! I appreciate the wisdom. With a depth of research and navigating a bunch of 404 codes, I was able to find my OSO. I have been unable to find an email point of contact still, but found the phone number and the office is no more than 10 miles from me so it is easy to make my way to the office if need be.
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Also, I forgot this. Possibly the most important advice you can get. Read this a dozen times. It is older but I think still 100% correct.

 
Streamlined Answer:
1) OSO is your go-to for all assistance.
2) Recruiter at the RSS needs to "see you" constantly. Show up for all Poolee events starting at a "minimum" 1 year out from submitting your Application.
3) Pay attention to detail and ASK Questions from your OSO or RSS Detachment SNCOIC. Depending on RSS size will be a GySgt or MstSgt. Do NOT deal with "brand new" Recruiting Sgt fresh out of Recruiters School.
 
Jimdlt19 said:
Streamlined Answer:
1) OSO is your go-to for all assistance.
2) Recruiter at the RSS needs to "see you" constantly. Show up for all Poolee events starting at a "minimum" 1 year out from submitting your Application.
3) Pay attention to detail and ASK Questions from your OSO or RSS Detachment SNCOIC. Depending on RSS size will be a GySgt or MstSgt. Do NOT deal with "brand new" Recruiting Sgt fresh out of Recruiters School.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much! My local RSS commander is PCSing out as is the OSO within the next 2 weeks, however, they are introducing me to the incoming Marines next week. I got valuable feedback and greatly appreciate yours. This was lovely clarification.
 
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