Ok, so I'm a freshmen at GMU enrolled in ROTC. I obtained a 3-year ADVANCED DESIGNEE scholarship. It's really confusing, nothing is paid for my freshmen year yet I'm supposed to do EVERY single thing including the water combat survival training, and I don't have any swimming experience. I'm also expected to pass APFT. I'm currently unfit and cant run past 3/4 of a mile. I don't think I can handle being a scholarship student my freshmen year. So, wht I want to know is how can I give up my 3-year AD scholarship and be able to attain a 3year normal scholarship next year or get a 2-year scholarship? What would I have to do? Also, I would like to remain in ROTC for 4 years, I just don't know what to do about my scholarship and the extra work I have to do because of it
I need some advice and help, please
- Thread starter aznmanjj
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- Aug 25, 2011
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You need to reach out for help and improve. Everything you are saying that is difficult is nothing compared to future years in the program let alone the rigors of being an Army officer. At my school we had remedial PT as well as free swimming classes offered via our school specifically for ROTC cadets. You should ask about those options.
In addition, ask some other cadets for a workout plan and get away from this "woe is me" type of attitude. If you don't show improvement your Frosh year it will not bode well for you in years to come. Cadre see everything and don't forget.
All of these things are within your control, if it is too difficult there are 100 people behind you waiting for your slot. If you give up a scholarship you will get nothing, period.
In addition, ask some other cadets for a workout plan and get away from this "woe is me" type of attitude. If you don't show improvement your Frosh year it will not bode well for you in years to come. Cadre see everything and don't forget.
All of these things are within your control, if it is too difficult there are 100 people behind you waiting for your slot. If you give up a scholarship you will get nothing, period.
Well, you made that mistake and it's water under the bridge at this point. You can only start from today, and work a plan to get fit. Actually your cadre will put you on remedial (usually means an extra day of PT compared to everyone else). Your cadre won't care about your past mistake of arriving out of shape so long as you give every effort to follow their remediation program. An trust me, you WILL pass APFT if you give it just 30 minutes a day of effort.
Sure you can. It will be tough, you will feel like giving up most days, but this is where you start to define the rest of your life. Are you a person determined to persevere and get through to the other side, or are you a quitter? You only THINK you can't do it, but there is nothing in ROTC that 90% of the population cannot do. You just have to want to.
99% no. If you give it up, why would the cadre, assuming they even get a scholarship for use as 3 yr in-college, give it to a problem cadet? You can probably get approved for Advance Course assuming you give up your Scholly, but continue in the program and pass class, lab, and APFT, but then what' the point of giving it up now?
You have to do the extra work to stay in ROTC without a scholarship also. YOu won't be approved to go on to Advance Course (years 3 and 4) if you haven't done well in years 1 and 2.
Bottom line, most cadets feel overwhelmed, homesick, and depressed at times as freshmen away from home. You WILL get over this, and you will thrive. Just give it time and effort.
You want to remain in ROTC for 4 yrs but do you WANT to be an Army officer after that.
I'm not reading anything into your post that says that is what you want or that you are willing to do that in exchange for your scholarship.
You cannot take 4 yrs of ROTC without contracting before your 3rd year. You cannot contract without passing the APFT. You will not contract or receive your scholarship without passing the APFT
You should have known what the physical requirements were when you decided you wanted to do ROTC.
I'm not reading anything into your post that says that is what you want or that you are willing to do that in exchange for your scholarship.
You cannot take 4 yrs of ROTC without contracting before your 3rd year. You cannot contract without passing the APFT. You will not contract or receive your scholarship without passing the APFT
You should have known what the physical requirements were when you decided you wanted to do ROTC.
Do Not give up your scholarship, that's the first thing.
As a 3 year AD you are not required to pass the APFT or Swim at the beginning of your freshman year. You will have all of this year to train and get better. You will most likely be on remedial PT, which is a good thing, it will help you improve. You also need to get on a good regiment at the Gym at school and start a running program.
You will be required to pass the APFT before you can activate your scholarship, so you have until the Fall of next year. Use this year to improve to a point you can exceed the minimums of the APFT, it won't be that hard if you start now. They will help you to improve, they will give you tips and monitor your progress.
The first year of ROTC will not be that demanding, go to all the classes, labs, PT, and Exercises. This is what is expected of 3 year AD's.
Just remember you will have all year to improve.
So do not drop the scholarship, as it was said above, your chances of getting it back is close to 0%.
Jcleppe speaks the truth. While the Bn may require you to participate in PT/cwst, etc., and want you to pass, there really are no repercussions for trying and failing as a 3 yr AD freshman.
What does have long-term consequences, though, is not trying. Just because you're a 3 yr winner doesn't mean the PMS has to validate your scholarship next fall. Establishing a pattern of laziness this year will not bode well for you.
It isn't lost on the cadre that you're struggling right now. Believe me, they're waiting to see what you do - use your poor fitness level as an excuse and quit, or use it as motivation and work twice as hard.
Show them you are the type of kid they want in their battalion and the type of cadet that will make a good Army officer in a few years. You applied for and won that scholarship for a reason. Remind yourself what it is.
What does have long-term consequences, though, is not trying. Just because you're a 3 yr winner doesn't mean the PMS has to validate your scholarship next fall. Establishing a pattern of laziness this year will not bode well for you.
It isn't lost on the cadre that you're struggling right now. Believe me, they're waiting to see what you do - use your poor fitness level as an excuse and quit, or use it as motivation and work twice as hard.
Show them you are the type of kid they want in their battalion and the type of cadet that will make a good Army officer in a few years. You applied for and won that scholarship for a reason. Remind yourself what it is.
OP, I'm an MSIV at Mason, if you'd like PM me with your name and platoon and I can get you setup to work on the swimming. I'm a lifeguard and I've worked with cadets in the past to get them to pass CWST, it is not difficult. On PT, I promise you if you just show up to PT and put in the effort you will pass your PT test before the semester is over. If you are willing to put in the work, you'll be a PT stud in no time. It's only day 3, you will get over this and I'd hate to see someone drop a scholarship over something like this.