Minuteman opportunity

[ethan98]

hey guys, so basically none of my plans have worked out, and I was recently informed of the minuteman rotc scholarship.
I was denied to USMA, did not receive a national ROTC scholarship, and still have not heard back from USAFA and am still listed as a candidate. (I am going to assume a TWE is on the way).

I likely will attend Miami university in Ohio and compete for a 3 year ROTC scholarship as I was highly qualified (3qd for West Point) and was told with my scores and such I was highly qualified for rotc.

I spoke with the head of rotc there, and he said with my qualifications I would likely get the 3 yr, but there are no guarantees, especially with them not knowing what next year will look like. I was told of the minuteman scholarship where I could get a 4-year scholarship in the smp program/reserves. I want to do active duty, but Miami is expensive for me at 35,000 a year even with a 16,000 scholarship.

My essential question is do I hold out for the three year and make that 35000 bet that I'd get the scholarship, or should I just go with reserves and be guarenteed I'll have the tuition payed

Thanks guys

 

[Jcleppe]

You expressed a desire to serve Active Duty, I guess it all depends on how strong is that desire. Taking the Minuteman Scholarship will lock you into the NG/Reserves and switching to AD is highly unlikely.

It is always a risk, you would need to start ROTC running, do well in school, pass your APFT (with a decent score) right at the start. Do this and you will put yourself in a good position to take advantage of any scholarship opportunities your battalion has. The Battalion will have a copy of your applications and will be able to see your stats.

This is a tough decision that you will have to make weighing all the possibilities.

 

[MissO]

I am going for the Minuteman scholarship right now. It is an excellent opportunity, if you don't mind going Reserves that is. I personally do not mind.
Best of luck to you!
-O

 

[ethan98]

I am going for the Minuteman scholarship right now. It is an excellent opportunity, if you don't mind going Reserves that is. I personally do not mind.
Best of luck to you!
-O

I heard with the minuteman you have to do basic training the summer prior. Is this true? Also, what does the weekend drilling look like? Is it hard to manage with college and rotc??

 

[Jcleppe]

I heard with the minuteman you have to do basic training the summer prior. Is this true? Also, what does the weekend drilling look like? Is it hard to manage with college and rotc??

Someone in the program will need to answer regarding Basic.

As far as drill goes, it will depend on your time management skills, just realize you will be away from school for one weekend every month. It will be up to you and what kind of work load you have to decide if that will be an issue. Both my sons have commented that they could not have imagined having to be away from school for one weekend a month, but they were both very active in school. Many have gone the route of SMP and Minuteman and they have been successful, it will in the end be up to what you feel you can manage. If you are in a very demanding major you will have to think hard whether you can miss a whole weekend every month. One other thing to consider is how close a unit will be to your school where you would have to travel each month for drill.

In the end you'll have to decide upfront that you do not want Active Duty, it's not something you can change once you are committed to the Minuteman scholarship. This is just the start of the journey, goals change all the time for cadets as they progress through ROTC. Some start knowing they want Active only to change their mind in the end and go Reserves, some are the opposite, thinking they want Reserves only to decide they really want Active. These are choices you can make with a traditional scholarship, the Minuteman takes that opportunity to decide later away from you. Just make sure you are 100% sold on only being in the Reserves/NG before you accept the Minuteman.

 

[sheriff3]

Show up to college in top physical shape and in regulations, get involved in ROTC. You will get noticed by cadre and possibly get offered a scholarship. Best of luck

 

[MissO]

I am going for the Minuteman scholarship right now. It is an excellent opportunity, if you don't mind going Reserves that is. I personally do not mind.
Best of luck to you!
-O

I heard with the minuteman you have to do basic training the summer prior. Is this true? Also, what does the weekend drilling look like? Is it hard to manage with college and rotc??

I am not in the program yet, I am currently competitive for the scholarship meaning I am trying to obtain one. My apologies, I cannot answer your questions. I have been told that basic is not a requirement, however. It is one weekend a month, therefore as long as you have good time management, it should be fine. I am staying optimistic and hoping for the best! For me personally, I do not mind going Reserves over Active Duty. Realistically, I would not mind having a civilian job out of college and being in the Reserves. I was never dead set on Active Duty. It is different for everyone.