Missing classes

J

JChrisL

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2021
Messages
36
Question for those with experience. My son is a freshman on AROTC scholarship. He has been told he has to miss a full day of classes + a few the afternoon the day before to attend a weekend aff site "lab "

I didn't think the ROTC would interfere with his classes? He has been required to miss afternoon classes once before, but missing a full day of classes seems out of line.

I don't want to interfere, but know he is concerned about missing classes, but doesn't want to question ROTC. What to do?
 
At my NROTC unit, classes always took priority over NROTC events. The unit tried its best to schedule around normal class times. For example, the large majority of students didn't have classes on Fridays, so that's when our weekly leadership lab would be. It was also expected that students purposefully didn't sign up for a Friday class to miss NROTC lab when there were other options for that class during the week. If there was no other time for that class, then they could sign up for it and miss some of lab. This worked out pretty well at my unit. There were probably only a couple times throughout my college career where a one-off NROTC event such as the Birthday Ball rehearsals conflicted with class, and the unit staff would politely ask professors to excuse us. If the professors agreed, we'd go to the NROTC thing; if not, then we'd go to class. My COs would also tell us that our number 1 priority was being a student and going to class.

If I were him, I'd bring it up to his ROTC class advisor first to try and work something out, and also loop in the professors if ROTC is being stubborn. Surely something could be worked out.
 
I can speak to NROTC. My DSs had to miss classes on Friday for Naval Leadership Weekend every year and when they had to go to Great Lakes for their commissioning physicals. Professors are more than supportive and they always have classmates to review what was covered. Only challenging if an exam is scheduled on that day. If it's only periodic and not all the time, it's really not a big deal.
 
Thanks. He has already asked for permission, I just don't think it should be scheduled to interfere. And of all things, this is scheduled for a long weekend (Monday off) but they are required to miss half day Thursday and all Friday, but will return Sunday. Why not use the 3 days off?

It is his decision, but should not have to be made. Academics first.
 
Both of my AROTC kids miss class for FTXs. One of my kids misses an academic class every week for ROTC class. That was not the case for me, nor my husband when we were in ROTC. The one who misses class is in a cross town program. That might be the difference. But yes- they all seem to miss class for FTXs.
 
This is fairly common. I wouldn't worry about it. Wherever they're going the facilities may not be available on Monday. Your son should be able to make arrangements to keep up with readings and lectures, etc.
 
College kids miss some classes for all kinds of reasons. I did because I was in a Spring sport, and mid-week away games meant the bus left right after lunch, missing the 1pm and 2pm classes.

I also missed some Friday morning classes throughout the year, even though I was in the room. Started the weekend on Thursday night after getting back from the library.

Kids have the semester syllabus, so they know what material will be covered. They have friends that can take notes for them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top