Introduction

[67charger383]

Hello, I am committed to The Citadel for the class of 2027.
I was accepted to The Citadel and VMI but I chose the Citadel for multiple reasons including location and speaking to a few alumni.
I am also registered for CSI.

My dream is to be a officer in the Marines as a helicopter pilot, but my second choice would be infantry.

Now here's my problem: I do NOT have a Nrotc scholarship..
I was almost done with my application but I didn't have it ready before the deadline to submit. It's my fault, and really because I was prioritizing college applications first, and the deadline snuck up on me.

Does anyone have any advice on how to secure a contract during my freshman year? And if worst comes to worst can I still receive a commission through Nrotc without a scholarship?

I'm decently physically fit as I played football throughout HS and the only things I really need to work on is my mile time and pull-ups.

 

[kinnem]

the deadline snuck up on me

Uhhh, no.... you didn't allocate your time properly. If you are aware of the deadliine there is no way it can sneak up on you. That being said, you're still taking responsibility for it so good on you.

Does anyone have any advice on how to secure a contract during my freshman year?

You will almost certainly NOT contract during freshman year. During freshman year you will have an opportunity to apply for a side-load scholarship. The decisions on that will happen over the summer of your rising sophomore year. If you're selected, you will contract at the start of your sophomore year. A good solid performer will have no trouble receiving a scholarship over the course of their time in NROTC.

And if worst comes to worst can I still receive a commission through Nrotc without a scholarship?

Yes, you can still commission without a scholarship. You will apply for a scholarship again, if you don't have one, during your sophomore year. If you're selected for a scholarship, great. If not selected you are considered for Advanced Standing (you can continue in the program and receive the monthly stipend). Again a solid performer will have no trouble, I personally know some folks who commissioned without the scholarship.

Hope this helps! If you didn't get the message... be a solid performer. Excellent grades, excellent PFT, good leadership skills, and an active participant (volunteers). You can do this! Good luck at the Citadel and pursuing your dream.

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[Capt MJ]

Hello, I am committed to The Citadel for the class of 2027.
I was accepted to The Citadel and VMI but I chose the Citadel for multiple reasons including location and speaking to a few alumni.
I am also registered for CSI.

My dream is to be a officer in the Marines as a helicopter pilot, but my second choice would be infantry.

Now here's my problem: I do NOT have a Nrotc scholarship..
I was almost done with my application but I didn't have it ready before the deadline to submit. It's my fault, and really because I was prioritizing college applications first, and the deadline snuck up on me.

Does anyone have any advice on how to secure a contract during my freshman year? And if worst comes to worst can I still receive a commission through Nrotc without a scholarship?

I'm decently physically fit as I played football throughout HS and the only things I really need to work on is my mile time and pull-ups.

Why not exercise your live phone professional skills and call the unit to ask your questions? They are your primary official source.

Contact Us - Navy ROTC at The Citadel

For any questions or further information regarding NROTC at The Citadel, please contact us at: NROTCUTheCitadel@gmail.com Further contact information is provided below: Chain of Command Contact Information Commanding Officer Col Giles Boyce gboyce@citadel.edu (843) 953-5171 Executive...

www.citadel.edu

Be sure to comb through the NROTC website on The Citadel site as well as the main NROTC website, so you don’t ask questions you could have easily found the answer to.

And a bit of advice - do not say “the deadline snuck up on me.” You have already taken responsibility for not applying, but as a salty boss of mine once said, “You may have good reasons for failing to do X, but no (insert salty language) excuse.” In the months leading up to the scholarship application submission deadline, did you spend time on social media? Watch a movie? Nap when you didn’t need to? You get the point. Prioritization of needs over wants did not happen consistently, so you will have to work on self-discipline. And, Marines love their physical fitness, so you should be hammering away at that. Hard.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[67charger383]

Appreciate all of the advice, and yes I know it was on me that I didn't meet the deadline.

I will call the Citadel's NROTC department Monday.

Thanks!

 

[Capt MJ]

Appreciate all of the advice, and yes I know it was on me that I didn't meet the deadline.

I will call the Citadel's NROTC department Monday.

Thanks!

They are well used to young people with questions. You will get the most current information, and it gives you a chance to express your anticipation for attending The Citadel and to positively impress them with your interest in NROTC months before you show up.

 

[USMCGrunt]

I'm decently physically fit as I played football throughout HS and the only things I really need to work on is my mile time and pull-ups.

I urge you to change your attitude on your physical fitness preparedness. The Marine PFT tests three areas: plank, pull ups, and a 3-mile run. If you are lacking in 2 of the 3 events, you are not in decent physical fitness shape.

 

[Gearhead5]

On my first deployment our aviation DET commander, a LCDR SH-2 aviator, told me to be at the mission briefing at 05:45. The aviation DET CPO informed me to be there, squared away and ready for the briefing no later than 05:40. I was told if I got there at 05:45 I would be late and dismissed from that assignment. I always lived by that rule and it served me well. You did good by taking responsibility for allowing a deadline to sneak up on you. However as Capt. MJ and others have pointed out that does not fly.

As USMCGrunt explained, the Marine Corps PFT test are no joke. I would find a current test score card and see where you stand now and go beyond where you need to be. If you’re really looking at aviation I would suggest the minimum score is not enough to make it. My DS wants to do AFROTC and try to go pilot. Every AFROTC Officer and every pilot selected cadet has told him his PT test HAVE to be in the top 10 or forget it. I can’t see the USMC being any different.

Best of luck to you!