FYI for those who may receive a Navy ROTC ISR - we just experienced having one offered and then withdrawn for our DS when he would tell the coordinator that he was 100.0% certain that he would use it. He was honest and said that he was still waiting to hear from USNA regarding a possible appointment but that he did want to accept the scholarship as it is a very attractive option. That honesty resulted in the ISR being pulled. Does not seem like the best way for NROTC to approach things.
ISR withdrawn
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NAVYCAPT93
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That sucks. Sorry to hear.
Hopeful-Dad
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DS was awarded an ISR earlier this month. They knew he had applied to USNA, as well. They simply asked how he felt about the ISR and if he'd be willing to sign the contract. We knew it wasn't binding if he'd later receive a USNA appointment and depending upon placement, even if our DS received a USNA appointment, there'd still be a chance he'd accept the NROTC scholarship, so we had no moral dilemma with signing it. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that about your experience, but if he was offered the ISR to begin with (I think there are at most about 125 of those that can be awarded per year - 5 per NRD/NTAG), I'd imagine his chances are high for selection from the National Pool. AFAIUI, they canceled several previous selection boards, so I'd hope there are still a fair amount of scholarships available in the National Pool. Best wishes.
unkown1961
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Glad they didn't ask my daughter that question, she was waiting to hear from AFROTC, and they awarded the ISR to her in early Sept. when there are still a lot of options not known, such as what schools she'd be accepted into and did they have a NROTC program.
But, in a way, I see NROTC's point in asking and withdrawing the ISR. The local commander only has one or two to hand out, so why not give it to the person who really wants to go NROTC. It seems unfair to the candidate third on the list if he or she truly knows they are going Navy.
But, in a way, I see NROTC's point in asking and withdrawing the ISR. The local commander only has one or two to hand out, so why not give it to the person who really wants to go NROTC. It seems unfair to the candidate third on the list if he or she truly knows they are going Navy.
Hopeful-Dad
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Your DS' interview experience was different than my DS'. When DS was first scheduled for the interview, I researched the ISR quite a bit and couldn't really find anything about SOP beyond the fact that the ISR is at the NRD/NTAG CO's discretion to award and to be used for competitive recruiting purposes. People's ISR interview experiences do seem to differ quite a bit - from what I've read/heard, some are essentially meet-and-greets prior to awarding; others sound like it was the toughest interview they experienced. In your DS' case, it sounds like there were some strings attached. But at the end of the day, it is the CO's prerogative - the Navy makes that pretty clear to the NRD/NTAG COs. But again, if DS was about to be awarded the ISR and is in the final running for a USNA appointment, I'd sincerely hope he has a very good chance in the NROTC National Pool. What does the portal currently indicate his status is? Do make sure that his package gets sent directly to NTSC (Pensacola) - ISRs follow a slightly different route before ultimately arriving at Pensacola.
Minor correction, at least AFAIUI... each NRD/NTAG CO has five they can offer. If an NRD/NTAG CO wants to offer a sixth or seventh, they have to get permission to take an ISR from another NRD/NTAG. The CO that awarded DS' explained that DS was the first of up to five ISRs for the region, and another officer later explained that they don't always give out all five. But do agree with the general point that if they have more ISR candidates than ISRs to give out, they may want a true lock-in.
Aina Haina
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What does ISR stand for?
It stands for Immediate Scholarship Reservation.
Very sorry to hear this...our DS just accepted an ISR, and specifically stated in the paperwork is the disclaimer that accepting the ISR does not preclude you from accepting an appointment at the USNA.
1mom
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Immediate Scholarship Reservation
...only about 153 or so given out. These applications are not reviewed by the regular board.
Hopeful-Dad
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As I understand it, the Pensacola Selection Board ('CNSB') still reviews ISRs to make sure the candidate is qualified per the terms of the ISR contract (e.g., top 20% of their class, etc.) - the difference is that the NRD/NTAG CO has already determined that the candidate merits the scholarship. Unless something is wrong with the paperwork or the CO failed to catch something critical (e.g., the candidate is not in the top 20% of their graduating class), I'm not sure if the CNSB would ever reject the ISR, though.
unkown1961
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Interesting info. We were told there were two they could hand out. Maybe that was meant to make my daughter feel more special.
Hopeful-Dad
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Interesting info. We were told there were two they could hand out. Maybe that was meant to make my daughter feel more special.
They could have already awarded three, or just have decided to only award two. But irrespective of whether the CO awards two or five, she SHOULD feel special! This is the CO's way of saying they were really impressed with her and don't want to lose her to a different branch.