JROTC Raiders

[goldrusheagle43]

How does JROTC Raiders look on the application process to USNA (actual application to the school and application for a nomination), or service academies in general? Would it be considered more like athletics and sports (ie cross country) or categorized as an extracurricular like JROTC drill?

 

[jrw0531]

Service academies and nomination panels love participation in JROTC in general. Specifically in the application portal, there is a section to elaborate your extent of participation in JROTC, so it could be put here. I would highlight how you were a leader in JROTC raiders, how it prepared you physically and improved your character. This is what is most important about it. I also remember in the application sports section it is a drop down menu, and I don't believe this is in the list.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Service academies and nomination panels love participation in JROTC in general. Specifically in the application portal, there is a section to elaborate your extent of participation in JROTC, so it could be put here. I would highlight how you were a leader in JROTC raiders, how it prepared you physically and improved your character. This is what is most important about it. I also remember in the application sports section it is a drop down menu, and I don't believe this is in the list.

I've served on many nomination panels across a couple of decades and I haven't really seen many JROTC participants among my candidates but when I have, it has not seemed to draw any huge advantage from the interviewers that I've served with. If a JROTC leader is not able to articulate what they accomplished as a leader then it appears to be just another title among a group of very accomplished candidates.

 

[Devil Doc]

I've served on many nomination panels across a couple of decades and I haven't really seen many JROTC participants among my candidates but when I have, it has not seemed to draw any huge advantage from the interviewers that I've served with. If a JROTC leader is not able to articulate what they accomplished as a leader then it appears to be just another title among a group of very accomplished candidates.

I've also noticed there haven't been many academy bound JROTC students in the three high schools where I have taught in 15 years. I'm in Northern Virginia, a hotbed of academy applicants. My current school has eight USNA applicants and I have no idea how many applicants to other academies. There's only one JROTC cadet among the USNA applicants. I haven't spoken with the assigned BGO lately but my numbers are probably still accurate.

 

[Allectus]

DS was active in Army JROTC and Raiders. He applied to West Point and is currently a plebe. He asked admissions while a sophomore in high school if Raiders would be considered a sport. Admissions asked if a letter was awarded for Raiders—in DS’s school the answer was no. Admissions said it would be better to participate in a sport that awarded letters and then earn the letter. Apparently earning the letter mattered more in the Whole Candidate Score.

Can only speak to West Point.

 

[USMAZoo98]

My son also participated in Raiders. And as with @Allectus he did not receive a varsity letter for his participation. But he did include it in his Candidate Activities Record as well as in all of his nominations applications. It reflects on the well-roundedness of the candidate. However, being a First Sergeant, Company Commander as a Junior, and selected as the possible Battalion Commander his senior year (they did not actually assign positions because of the pandemic induced virtual school year, but that is another story), carried much more weight when assessing his leadership qualities. Those were brought up in his interviews and I have no doubt that his leadership roles at multiple levels helped earn him his way to being a plebe now.