MO Interview

maciec

maciec

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Joined
Aug 17, 2019
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I’ve spent the the past 3 years heavily involved in my ROTC. From the PT team, Drill, Color Guard, volunteering, and commanding. I have also been been working since I was 14. Last summer I was working 50 hours a week at 2 jobs. One of which was year round part time as a lifeguard. The other was working on a golf course driving heavy equipment for the ground crew. Most recently during the pandemic I’ve been working 40-60 hours a week 6 days a week for a landscaping company while keeping up with all of my school work. I completed a 10 week GIS internship as a sophomore (I was the first non senior to have done this). I also have the potential to start another GIS internship at NASA Wallops island. I have been to 2 ROTC leadership camps a state police trooper youth week camp. Everything I have done has been to further my work ethic, career, and leadership skills. I am an A/B student with 2 dual enrollment classes. I have no AP classes on my transcript.

I had a phone conference with a LT from VA Tech NROTC today and he said that the majority of my accomplishments are essentially “footnotes” for my scholarship application. They don’t make a good Marine. Academics make a good marine scholarship application. What my parents took away from this conference is that I’m going to have to sell myself during my interview. What I’m asking for is advice on how to show/prove that academics don’t always make the best marine leaders. Being that I’ve never been through a scholarship am I’m going to have time to sell myself? Any words of advice on things I should definitely include in my pitch?
 
@maciec - there is a lot of great advice within this forum's posts on the interviews. I recommend you search deep and read what you can.

If it were me speaking to a prospective applicant, I would emphasize whatever aspect you had shortcomings in as the most important. In your case, the Lt from VT spoke of academics. For another it would be the PFT score, or volunteer hours, or the essays. Why? To prevent you coming in with an assumed attitude of sitting well. But that is just me...

Yes, you should be prepared to defend your grades, the classes you took, and your overall academic record. Your answers to these and other questions is how you "sell yourself". You don't need to "show/prove that academics don't always make the best leaders".

Good luck.
 
Are you on any sports teams, either as a player or even better, a captain? If not, 1.) That doesn't look good, although from your post it sounds like you're a rising senior which means it may be too late to remedy this. 2.) Your PFT just got that much more important. I would shoot for no less than a 235, but you would be much better off in the 270-300 range (at my unit 270 is the standard to get off FEP).

How are your academics? Is your GPA a competitive one (3.5-4.0 unweighted)? If it's not very good, for whatever reason, make sure you do as well as you can on the ACT/SAT, as that's something that can easily be improved with some dedicated studying.

I wouldn't necessarily agree that academics only make a good Marine. Compared to Navy options, where GPA matters for service selection, the USMC cares more about you having at least the 2.5 GPA necessary to commission than anything else.

In your interview, don't try and show why academics don't always make the best Marine leaders. Instead, show why YOU make will make an effective Marine leader. I would also recommend talking to the MOI of the NROTC unit, they could probably offer more specific guidance and areas for improvement.
 
First of all let me say that I didn’t know I was on my moms account. I forgot to log her out before I logged on.

I have been on a year round swim team for the past 6 years. We don’t have captains on that team. The high school team we do which I have been on since freshman year. Only seniors are allowed to be captains and we don’t start that season until November. I have won the countywide Marine JROTC PFT competition 2 years in a row. Physical fitness is not an issue for me whatsoever. I have scored close to the top score on the practice PFT’s.

currently my unweighted GPA is a 3.75. My weighted is around a 4.5. I haven’t been able to take the ACT/SAT’s due to COVID so I’m in limbo there
 
"What I’m asking for is advice on how to show/prove..."

You don't need to "prove" anything. You are a strong candidate. Your record screams dedication, seriousness, maturity, clarity of purpose.

So just project quiet confidence and avoid any trace of defensiveness about academics.

This is what you were put on earth to do. You know it, and they will too.

Good luck!
 
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Shined shoes.
Pressed and well-fitting clothes.
Well-groomed.
Stand tall.

There are different kinds of listening: listening to understand, listening to respond, listening to refute or object.
Listen to understand a question and don’t let your brain go into auto-answer mode so that you miss the full question, or a two-part question. Really listen, take a mental breath, then respond.
 
If it was a Navy LT you spoke with at the unit, not to downplay what he told you but... Marines are looking for something different. Academics and physical fitness are equally weighted for the MO scholarship, but demonstrated leadership and character through participation in sports, extracurriculars, and volunteer work carries more weight.

Please, do not try to "game" the interview. Answer sincerely, and you have nothing to worry about. Canned and disingenuous answers will only result in a lot of eye rolling.
 
+1 to @Recruiting Station XO - Having just watched my DS go through this process. He spent about 6 months preparing for the PFT and the interview. Based on what I have read, the PFT is equally if not more important than the interview. My DS's interview lasted no more than 15 minutes and the rest of the time was spent on the PFT. As stated by others, I would shoot for 270+ to be competitive on the PFT. The average for the unit my DS is joining is 280 for incoming contract MOs. Make sure you do several practice PFT tests to make sure you get a feel for performing all 3 exercises in a row.

Sounds like you are off to a great start. Now is the time to work on your PFT and research this forum for other advice. Good luck.
 
Recruiting Station XO said:
If it was a Navy LT you spoke with at the unit, not to downplay what he told you but... Marines are looking for something different. Academics and physical fitness are equally weighted for the MO scholarship, but demonstrated leadership and character through participation in sports, extracurriculars, and volunteer work carries more weight.

Please, do not try to "game" the interview. Answer sincerely, and you have nothing to worry about. Canned and disingenuous answers will only result in a lot of eye rolling.
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Definitely not my intent at all. I just want to present myself as the best candidate I can. I am just worried that I will fall short in regards to my academics because I don't have the AP and dual enrollment classes that I am sure a lot more candidates than me have.
 
Thanks to those that have provided advice! I always feel like I have something to prove going into something new. I have to prove to myself that I can do whatever challenge I am faced with and I have to prove to "the powers that be" that I can do whatever the challenge is. It's not an insecurity it's a character trait of mine and a push to be the best person that I can be. I guess I can relate it to my drive and ethic if that makes sense.
 
It's not an insecurity it's a character trait of mine and a push to be the best person that I can be.

Not a good trait for an interview.
Throttle it back. Be calm, controlled, not "pushy."
These people don't know you and you only have a few minutes to make the right impression. You risk provoking a "some doth protest too much" reaction.
RELAX. You're fine.
 
thibaud said:
It's not an insecurity it's a character trait of mine and a push to be the best person that I can be.

Not a good trait for an interview.
Throttle it back. Be calm, controlled, not "pushy."
These people don't know you and you only have a few minutes to make the right impression. You risk provoking a "some doth protest too much" reaction.
RELAX. You're fine.
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I will. This is so nerve wracking and I haven't even submitted my application yet! I greatly appreciate all of the guidance you all have offered.
-Nick
 
maciec said:
I will. This is so nerve wracking and I haven't even submitted my application yet! I greatly appreciate all of the guidance you all have offered.
-Nick
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I think it's important to find really admirable men to do mock interviews with. I know I said "men" (I have sons first) and there are fine "women" in leadership as well. Anyway, I think when our son practiced with some of the finest men we know, it made him used to that atmosphere. I think having 6-12 notecards to practice main talking points at home helps. Just be able to speak naturally and honestly about everything. I wanted my son to genuinely share who he is. If you have main points on a notecard, even during the interview I think it's fine and even admirable to take a pause to review your notes. I believe the Army Colonel my son practiced with told him that. We are in the 6th district for Marines and our son has a 292 really high PFT score, top ACT score and academics and I think strong sports and leadership. He knew a TON about the Marines and speaks well with good bearing. He did not receive an offer from the Marines, but he did receive a 4-year from the Army ROTC - finest in the world we are very grateful
 
@Mousie29 is spot on with regards to the interview prep. Practice and prepare until your responses are natural and not rehearsed. Pick someone other than a parent to practice with.

This point will be discussed a lot, but the PFT is extremely important. My DS is also in District 6 and he was a 290+ PFT as well. You can have a great interview, great SATACT, great GPA and a mediocre PFT and you probably won't make the cut. Another great point that @Mousie29 brings up is the importance of a plan B. There are a lot more AROTC scholarships than NROTC MO scholarships (I don't know the final numbers but it could be at least 5 times + more AROTC than MO). What is your ultimate goal? If you are open to other branches, I suggest you look into applying for other ROTC Scholarships as a Plan B.
 
EEBTTF said:
@Mousie29 is spot on with regards to the interview prep. Practice and prepare until your responses are natural and not rehearsed. Pick someone other than a parent to practice with.

This point will be discussed a lot, but the PFT is extremely important. My DS is also in District 6 and he was a 290+ PFT as well. You can have a great interview, great SATACT, great GPA and a mediocre PFT and you probably won't make the cut. Another great point that @Mousie29 brings up is the importance of a plan B. There are a lot more AROTC scholarships than NROTC MO scholarships (I don't know the final numbers but it could be at least 5 times + more AROTC than MO). What is your ultimate goal? If you are open to other branches, I suggest you look into applying for other ROTC Scholarships as a Plan B.
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I am going to apply for the AROTC scholarship as well. Ultimately I want to go into the Intelligence field. I am going to try and incorporate GIS (Geographic/Geospacial Information Systems) into that somehow. Many schools do not offer a BS in GIS and I would have to major in Geography with a concentration on GIS. At VT I can major in Geography to get the GIS knowledge and also major in Nationals Security & Foreign Affairs. I don't want to major in Criminal Justice. Finding a college with an excellent ROTC program, GIS program, and a NS & FA major is very difficult. I think in the end run I am going to have to give something up and I am not sure what that's going to be
 
maciec said:
I am going to apply for the AROTC scholarship as well. Ultimately I want to go into the Intelligence field. I am going to try and incorporate GIS (Geographic/Geospacial Information Systems) into that somehow. Many schools do not offer a BS in GIS and I would have to major in Geography with a concentration on GIS. At VT I can major in Geography to get the GIS knowledge and also major in Nationals Security & Foreign Affairs. I don't want to major in Criminal Justice. Finding a college with an excellent ROTC program, GIS program, and a NS & FA major is very difficult. I think in the end run I am going to have to give something up and I am not sure what that's going to be
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Sounds like you have a good plan. VT is a great school and being a SMC, a great platform to launch your military career. Good luck!
 
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