This week I went to have my NROTC MO interview and PFT. Obviously, some of the officers there advised me strongly to consider NROTC MO over the Naval Acadeny because you WILL get a commision into the USMC through their program and possibly not at the Naval Academy. However, many of them ALSO believe that the Naval Academy produces inferior (Obiously not EVERYONE, but overall) Marine Officers and that- direct quote from a NROTC MO Midshipman at VMI I am talking to- "avoid the "Naval Academy like the plague". Is there anyone else who has a similar view on this topic? Or is it just the usual bias that one would show towards their program?
There is one grain of truth here. When you enroll in NROTC MO, that's it, you're going Marines assuming you complete the program successfully and commission. If you enroll in the Naval Academy it's not guaranteed you'll go Marines. These days about 20-25% are selected for Marines. I think I read somewhere on this forum (no direct knowledge myself) that many who want Marines don't get it.
That being said, if you go to the Naval Academy and rank high on the OML you'll get Marines if that's what you want.
I don't believe the crap about one set of officers, in general, being better than another. I will say, and it's only my belief, that because they are already committed to Marines, the NROTC MIDN get to focus on that more than Navy stuff, but I don't really think there is any advantage there... and if there is, there are offsetting advantages to the Academy that trump that.
Edit: Not that I would use this to make a decision, but the course requirements for NROTC MO do not include the Calculus and Calculus based physics. You
will be taking those courses at the Academy. Frankly, I think its a good thing to take Calculus, not that most people will ever use it... but if you're pursuing engineering or economics you will or at least might. Criminal Justice or History? Not so much.
Edit: <OK Scout, time to pile on!
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