Leaving NROTC

R

RaghavanN

Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2024
Messages
14
Hi all,

I’m an first year student majoring in computer engineering.

So far, my NROTC experience has been mostly positive, some of the usual hazing and military culture stuff, but nothing too out of the ordinary. I appreciate the structure, the guaranteed job after graduation, and the security the scholarship provides. That said, my parents are able and willing to pay for my college if I decide to leave the program, so finances aren’t a dealbreaker.

Here’s where I’m struggling:
As I’ve gotten deeper into ROTC, I’m feeling a lot of cognitive dissonance. I’m kind of uncomfortable with some aspects of being in the military under the current government, especially with the US’s environmental impact and its support for certain foreign policies.


I haven’t reached my no-obligation deadline yet, so I know I could leave without owing money or service. But I’m conflicted about giving up the career and the community. Im also worrying about regretting the decision later or feeling like I’m letting people down.

Has anyone else been in a similar spot? How did you work through your doubts or make your decision? I’d really appreciate any honest perspectives.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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I think if you base your career on whoever is in the White House at any given time you are going to be miserable. The administration changes every 4-8 years. Having said that, you also have to be okay with fulfilling the “mission”, whatever that mission may be. Once you join the military, you are committed for whatever timeframe you signed up for. It’s not like a civilian job where you quit whenever and for whatever reason. You need to be certain you can lead a team (likely into danger) regardless of your personal convictions. If you are not comfortable with that, you should quit while you can.
 
Hypothetically, what would happen if you leave, and later in life you change your position on these matters?
 
RaghavanN said:
Hi all,

I’m an first year student majoring in computer engineering.

So far, my NROTC experience has been mostly positive, some of the usual hazing and military culture stuff, but nothing too out of the ordinary. I appreciate the structure, the guaranteed job after graduation, and the security the scholarship provides. That said, my parents are able and willing to pay for my college if I decide to leave the program, so finances aren’t a dealbreaker.

Here’s where I’m struggling:
As I’ve gotten deeper into ROTC, I’m feeling a lot of cognitive dissonance. I’m kind of uncomfortable with some aspects of being in the military under the current government, especially with the US’s environmental impact and its support for certain foreign policies.


I haven’t reached my no-obligation deadline yet, so I know I could leave without owing money or service. But I’m conflicted about giving up the career and the community. Im also worrying about regretting the decision later or feeling like I’m letting people down.

Has anyone else been in a similar spot? How did you work through your doubts or make your decision? I’d really appreciate any honest perspectives.

Thanks in advance for your help.
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I am not sure that the current admin of 4 and a half months has much to do with environmental impact and foreign policy of the US military. It's a well-established fact that US policy post WW2 is probably going to make somebody somewhere uncomfortable.

It seems to me that you may be having difficulty separating yourself from politics, which I think any objective person regardless of political affiliation, can agree has a high level or BS, and is always in some fashion detached from reality. If you believe yourself to be incapable of being apolitical, the military is probably not the best place for you.
 
When you commission as an officer, your oath of office is to the Constitution and not the current administration. This is a very deliberate and important delineation. Your commitment is to the United States. Full Stop. You are obligated to refuse illegal orders if that concerns you.

The military is subservient to a duly-elected civilian government. What other construct do you prefer?

I did a tour in Iraq where the strategy was abhorrent and instead of fighting to win, we were just filling body bags. We were hanging on by our fingernails. My goal was to do the best I could to make our area better and to keep my guys in one piece. I believe I made a difference and that was possibly the most important thing I've done in my entire life, certainly more than you will ever do as a civilian. We eventually got a new Middle East commander who resourced us and employed us correctly and although it was bloody, we defeated our enemies. That success wouldn't have been possible if I, my guys, and those around us had quit over disagreements with policy makers.

So, from my perspective, we need officers with strong backbones and integrity. Not those who disagree with a policy and cut and run. Defending this country is not about your feelings. I don't know how the environment could possibly impact your decision to serve. You are comparing apples and oranges and have clearly been gaslighted to the point where your objectivity has been compromised.
 
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Don’t be like Benjamin Frances. His father served in the Navy, and he became a JAG.

He attacked Secretary Hegseth on social media, and threatened J6ers and Ice agents. He has deleted his social media, and I suspect he will be fighting for his career.
 
@RaghavanN - I think that is a valid concern, I work for DoD and I've had this discussion with two of my kids (one currently in ROTC and another applying.) Administrations come and go, and some you may agree with and other you won't. But if you are concerned with the current administrations actions, then you definitely don't want to abandon the military (a critical organization for country and democracy) to those you disagree with.
 
Thank you all for your replies, I want to make it clear that I'm not really referring to the current administration as much as historical American policies. Ive learned a lot, but I was really exposed to very little military culture growing up, so when I moved to college across the country and joined a program I had no idea about, It was a bit of culture shock. That said, Ive slept on it a bit and talked to a lot of people and I think I feel better on the principle of "being the change that I want to see". Again, thanks for the insight
 
USMC Crayons said:
I am not sure that the current admin of 4 and a half months has much to do with environmental impact and foreign policy of the US military. It's a well-established fact that US policy post WW2 is probably going to make somebody somewhere uncomfortable.

It seems to me that you may be having difficulty separating yourself from politics, which I think any objective person regardless of political affiliation, can agree has a high level or BS, and is always in some fashion detached from reality. If you believe yourself to be incapable of being apolitical, the military is probably not the best place for you.
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Im not referring the current administration all that much. I'm aware that the US foreign policy has been similar for a while now. These were just all the opposing thoughts I had against continuing my path to commisioning, since I will be commiting pretty soon.
 
RaghavanN said:
Here’s where I’m struggling:
As I’ve gotten deeper into ROTC, I’m feeling a lot of cognitive dissonance. I’m kind of uncomfortable with some aspects of being in the military under the current government, especially with the US’s environmental impact and its support for certain foreign policies.
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This has you wanting to drop out? Really?

I read your comment about "being the change." Good luck and go for it but I think you should quit before you owe the tax payer something.
 
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