Navy or MO ROTC---application process overview?

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MegND95

5-Year Member
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Oct 19, 2018
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My 17 year old junior is interested in applying for either a Navy or MO ROTC scholarship. We've visited and spoken with reps at two ROTC units who have given us some basic information about the process. I have also reviewed the official NROTC website. But I was hoping someone here could give me a basic overview of the steps and deadlines of which we need to be aware.
 
Do you have any specific questions? If you haven't already done so, download and read the Application Information Checklist. As I recall, it was pretty detailed about what is required for the application and deadlines.
http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/pdfs/NROTC Scholarship Application Instructions - Updated May 2018.pdf

In general, the application for current HS juniors should open April 1, 2019. I believe the application deadline is Dec 31. This is supported by the fact the website currently says this years applications are closed. It is important to get started on the application right away, mostly to request the required references from teachers before school is out for the summer. Your son/daughter should work on it over the summer and have it completed and ready to submit in August. The reason for this is that the Navy option hold multiple boards beginning in September, generally about one per month. If your DS/DD is not selected on the first board, the application is rolled over and reviewed again the next board and so on until he/she is either selected or denied. The earlier the application is submitted, the more times it is reviewed by the board. You are not notified of results until you are either awarded a scholarship or denied, which could be as late as mid April, so keep up with alternate plans, including joining NROTC as a college programmer, with the intention of re-applying for a scholarship. If your DS/DD decides to apply for the Marine Option scholarship, there are only two boards. The application process will include the written application, essay, ACT/SAT scores, an interview with an officer and a fitness assessment.
 
To add to the solid advice above, I would add, it's never too soon to work on push-ups, running, and sit-ups.
Also, do not underestimate how long it might take to pull together and process a complete application, especially since communication/response time with NROTC can be challenging sometimes.
 
learningNavymom said:
To add to the solid advice above, I would add, it's never too soon to work on push-ups, running, and sit-ups.
Also, do not underestimate how long it might take to pull together and process a complete application, especially since communication/response time with NROTC can be challenging sometimes.
Click to expand...

If you are looking at Marine Option, it's never too soon to work on pullups, pullups, pullups, crunches, running, and pullups. :-) Pullups are the money maker.
 
From my experience, talk to a recruiter early. I began talking to a recruiter in January of my Junior year and so I already had a contact when the summer before Senior year rolled around to begin working through things. Some recruiters are different, but I got a lot of information on the Marine Corps that made the choice between Navy and Marine Corps easier.
I received my NROTC MO scholarship on early board and they mentioned doing WAY more pull-ups before I show up to my unit... haha. If your Junior chooses the Marine Option spend time preparing for the PFT, I only had a 262 and was told it was the only part of my application that "needed improvement."
 
Nothing against speaking to recruiters but many do not know the ins-and-outs of NROTC MO as their primary mission is to recruit enlisted personnel. I certainly wouldn't be signing anything when speaking with a recruiter. Beware of the "enlisting will make you a better officer" argument or something like that. Another is signing up for deferred entry will help your application.

Our recruiters are good people but they have a job and a quota. If possible talk with an Officer Selection Officer.
 
kinnem said:
Nothing against speaking to recruiters but many do not know the ins-and-outs of NROTC MO as their primary mission is to recruit enlisted personnel. I certainly wouldn't be signing anything when speaking with a recruiter. Beware of the "enlisting will make you a better officer" argument or something like that. Another is signing up for deferred entry will help your application.

Our recruiters are good people but they have a job and a quota. If possible talk with an Officer Selection Officer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the good info! Much appreciated. My husband was a SWO who did NROTC in college, but the process is very different now.

How does one find a local Selection Officer? We have an NROTC unit in town at a local university, should I start there?
 
They might be able to help you. If you're looking for info their MOI (Marine Officer Instructor) might be of help, or even one of the midshipmen who just went through the process. Also, if you're in a college town, and it seems you are, then their might be an OSO at the local recruiter or they could point you to one.... as I'm sure they get college folks who are considering OCS and other paths to commissioning.
 
kinnem said:
Nothing against speaking to recruiters but many do not know the ins-and-outs of NROTC MO as their primary mission is to recruit enlisted personnel. I certainly wouldn't be signing anything when speaking with a recruiter. Beware of the "enlisting will make you a better officer" argument or something like that. Another is signing up for deferred entry will help your application.

Our recruiters are good people but they have a job and a quota. If possible talk with an Officer Selection Officer.
Click to expand...
Weird, in my area the local recruiting office ran my PFT and gave me the information to start my application. I didn't hear from an officer until I was close to submitting my application. Must be uncommon, then. My apologies.
 
For NROTC, it's never to early to get started but it is still very early. I don't think the 2019 app cycle is open yet. If your DS/DD is applying to USNA, you will be pulling together a lot of the same info. At this time last year (almost to the day), DS and I sat down with his high school guidance counselor and began charting a path for the applications. ID DS/DD's junior math and english teachers - he/she should approach them soon and tell them of the plan. Their evaluations will be needed. Take a look at DS/DD's ECs and sports and look for anything that can be improved. Think about leadership on resumes. Evaluate SAT/ACTs and plan on taking several times. They are really important for NROTC - look for scores north of 1400/33. Math and English/Critical Reading are all that matter.

My DS had the good fortune of working with an NROTC regional counselor who really worked hard to help DS put his best foot forward - she engaged when his app was close to done. That was really important in his case. YMMV. Get it the app completed by mid-August to make the first board. Work on pushups, situps, and mile run - no pullups for NROTC.

Also - use the resources on this forum (not me - I'm a Nube) but from those who have been around awhile. Incredibly helpful people.
 
wanderingwhales said:
kinnem said:
Nothing against speaking to recruiters but many do not know the ins-and-outs of NROTC MO as their primary mission is to recruit enlisted personnel. I certainly wouldn't be signing anything when speaking with a recruiter. Beware of the "enlisting will make you a better officer" argument or something like that. Another is signing up for deferred entry will help your application.

Our recruiters are good people but they have a job and a quota. If possible talk with an Officer Selection Officer.
Click to expand...
Weird, in my area the local recruiting office ran my PFT and gave me the information to start my application. I didn't hear from an officer until I was close to submitting my application. Must be uncommon, then. My apologies.
Click to expand...
No apologies necessary. These are just stories conveyed on these forums over the years. Some get great folks like you and others not so much... just like the rest of life.
 
wanderingwhales said:
kinnem said:
Nothing against speaking to recruiters but many do not know the ins-and-outs of NROTC MO as their primary mission is to recruit enlisted personnel. I certainly wouldn't be signing anything when speaking with a recruiter. Beware of the "enlisting will make you a better officer" argument or something like that. Another is signing up for deferred entry will help your application.

Our recruiters are good people but they have a job and a quota. If possible talk with an Officer Selection Officer.
Click to expand...
Weird, in my area the local recruiting office ran my PFT and gave me the information to start my application. I didn't hear from an officer until I was close to submitting my application. Must be uncommon, then. My apologies.
Click to expand...
My DS' experience was much the same (Navy option). He worked with a local recruiter up until he was about ready to submit his application. We were warned the recruiter would likely try to convince him to enlist. This never happened with him. Once his application was completed, the recruiter reviewed it and set up his officer interview with an area OSO. From there he was awarded a scholarship via an ISR and hasn't looked back. The recruiter he worked with was not familiar with the NROTC process, but took the time to educate himself so he could help my DS navigate the process. Seen many examples on here where that did not happen. And others where it did.
 
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