I plan to go to Va Tech University. I' hoping to go into NASA as an aerospace engineer first. Ii know tons of people will want to go into the same field too, but I wouldn't have to worry about being committed to doing something I don't enjoy. In ROTC, I could be committed to serve in RPA in which I wouldn't benefit at all, therefore hindering my goals afterwrd. I wouldn't risk anything just applying to NASA.
Our DD is at VT, she is now a fellow in their grad program. At VT every semester during finals week the registrar sets up tables outside of the engineering building for one reason. @ 33% that enter the engineering program will graduate as an engineer. Her friend came back from her first class as a freshmen and said the Prof told them look left, look right only 1 of you will graduate from on this program.
Also, I would say that if you don't join the Corps, there will be other students with the same dream, and because they were in the Corps they might have an edge just because they have a little more insight from that life. Corps cadets live in a specific dorm. It is their SMC lifestyle.
~ You can be in the Corps, but not in ROTC. They will have that EC in college carrying a cgpa like yours, but if you don't join the Corps what will you have for ECs?
~~ VT is a huge networking college. See my prior posts regarding this issue.
~~~ ANG is not like AROTC with SMP.
I am getting more Janie Raincloud with every post, a fact I hate, but you also keep twisting your plans to meet your desire of least resistance.
~ you have gone through ROTC, Guard, Marines and now VT going corporate. Yet, with every turn reality isn't meeting up with your expectations.
Honestly, I get the RPA issue, just like I get those that were given a CSO instead of pilot. However, you didn't put into the equation of straining. Actually you never explored that aspect. Want to know the UPT students that blow the typical newly minted out of the water there? It is those that were picked up for xtraining. They spend their first tour in that career field, and are picked up for UPT, 27-28. They have endured the school system, and especially for CSOs most of them get stick time.
~ RPAs also have more experience than anyone that plays any Xbox game.
~~ They know how to study for the BOLD.
FYI do you realize the initial cadre food RPA were pilots?
I am going to be honest right now. I don't believe you want to defend this great nation or fly the 35. I believe you want to go to NASA for Mars and you are looking for the path of least resistance to get there.
Sorry, but thar is my opinion. Nothing wrong with the goal. Just be honest and say to us the military in your opinion was the easiest stepping stone.