Hello! I submitted my NROTC application about 2 weeks ago and was just notified by my coordinator that her commanding chief has selected my application and would like to meet and conduct my officer interview. Does anyone know what this means? I've read in this forum somewhere that it could be an ISR interview but I have no idea really what to expect. Does anyone have an idea? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have my interview next Thursday so I would just like to know what it is for since I have already conducted my university NROTC interview and submitted all required materials. Thank you in advance!
NROTC Commanding Officer Interview
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Ihavenoidea
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If you have already done your officer interview, then it definitely sounds like a ISR interview. I would just treat it like the other interview and you will be fine. Dress appropriately, answer questions, be polite and professional, etc.
Good luck!
Good luck!
GWU PNS (emeritus)
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This does indeed sound as though you are being considered for the ISR (Immediate Scholarship Reservation). Before reading the rest of this, it's important to note that I am about 6 months into retirement, and while that does not sound like a long time, things change pretty fast in the world of NROTC and scholarships. With that being said,
The person who will be doing your interview sounds like the Commanding Officer of the NTAG (Navy Talent Acquisition Group)........please do not refer to him/her as a Commanding "Chief" during the interview or any email correspondence.
That interview could be just to validate you are the selection, but several NTAGs will conduct multiple interviews and select one candidate for the ISR. And they usually will not tell you until they make their selection decision. Here is the potentially tricky part. Since you have already conducted your required officer interview, that interview write-up is already entered into the database. IF you think you did a fantastic interview for the ISR, and IF the NTAG CO is so inclined, you can request that the interview be submitted in place of the NROTC interview, which is on file. Some NTAG CO's automatically do this, but some are brand new to their position and may not be aware that they can submit an interview in the same way that a PNS can. To be clear, the NTAG CO can reply that he/she is only conducting a brief interview to determine if you are a selected for ISR rather than doing a formal interview, but if they are willing to say good things about you to the NROTC board, it will have a little more weight behind it because of the seniority of the interviewer.
Hope that isn't more confusing than it is helpful. One final note......being selected at the NTAG level can mean you sit in the big queue of applications waiting for final review by NSTC. I cannot recall any ISR selection ever being overturned, but there is a final review by the Naval Service Training Command. Best of luck to you!
The person who will be doing your interview sounds like the Commanding Officer of the NTAG (Navy Talent Acquisition Group)........please do not refer to him/her as a Commanding "Chief" during the interview or any email correspondence.
That interview could be just to validate you are the selection, but several NTAGs will conduct multiple interviews and select one candidate for the ISR. And they usually will not tell you until they make their selection decision. Here is the potentially tricky part. Since you have already conducted your required officer interview, that interview write-up is already entered into the database. IF you think you did a fantastic interview for the ISR, and IF the NTAG CO is so inclined, you can request that the interview be submitted in place of the NROTC interview, which is on file. Some NTAG CO's automatically do this, but some are brand new to their position and may not be aware that they can submit an interview in the same way that a PNS can. To be clear, the NTAG CO can reply that he/she is only conducting a brief interview to determine if you are a selected for ISR rather than doing a formal interview, but if they are willing to say good things about you to the NROTC board, it will have a little more weight behind it because of the seniority of the interviewer.
Hope that isn't more confusing than it is helpful. One final note......being selected at the NTAG level can mean you sit in the big queue of applications waiting for final review by NSTC. I cannot recall any ISR selection ever being overturned, but there is a final review by the Naval Service Training Command. Best of luck to you!
Are you in VA? DD got similar email. For context, she has not yet completed her NROTC interview.
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Thank you for the information. I'll prepare how I did my other interview. Thank you!
Thank you for your service, I hope all is well.
I am aware she is a Commanding Officer, I must have accidentally typed chief because I was thinking of my coordinator.
Would you mind elaborating what you mean by just validating I am the selection? Do you mean selection in the regular boards or selection for the ISR? And another question for this interview, since I have already completed my required officer interview and this interview could be another interview the NTAG CO would like to conduct, could this interview hold a similar cycle of questions from my previous interview?
Thank you for responding with such detailed information. You definitely helped me understand what's going on more than I knew before. If it is ISR I am absolutely ecstatic and amazed for getting this opportunity, if not, I am still very happy for the opportunity to apply for an NROTC scholarship. Again, thank you.
Yes, I am in VA! I guess it is possible this is for ISR, in which case if it is, congratulations for your daughter obtaining an interview! Good luck.
Same to you!
GWU PNS (emeritus)
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Some of the NTAG's have their own selection process. They settle on a specific candidate and the CO will do an interview to basically confirm the choice. Other NTAG's will interview a number of people and then they will make a selection. It sounds like there will be several interviews in your case but I am guessing based on the other posts in this thread.
The questions could be similar, but honestly, the NTAG process can be very independent from a standard NROTC interview.
Oh ok thank you for for the clarification. Yes, I do believe there will be multiple interview since it was specific the CO would like to complete all her interview on December 7th.
I'll look around to see if I can find anything about an ISR interview vs a university NROTC interview. I'll also practice how I did for my previous interview just in case. Thank you!
Ihavenoidea
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The ISR interview is likely not going to have a set and specific script. The officer interview is alittle more "scripted". You might get some of the same type questions you did in the officer interview, but this interview is done by the Commanding Officer of the NTAG in your area. Each will have different interview styles. Think of this more as a job interview type of situation. The officer interview is more of a first impression by a Navy Officer type of scenario. The officer interview can help get a scholarship, but it will not kill your chances. The ISR interview is to confirm to the CO that you are the one to be awarded the scholarship.
Ok thank you for the information. When you say it can help but won't kill my chances, could you please elaborate what you mean?
My coordinator emailed me today informing me to have one parent accompany me to the interview if possible for any paperwork. I'm a little nervous but I am very excited to see what happens Thursday. NROTC is my number one choice and I am so happy that it is going the way it currently is!
Ihavenoidea
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The officer interview is a small piece of the whole application you submit to apply for a NROTC scholarship. As I said before, it is a "first impression" type of interview that can help you get a scholarship (if you are equal to another applicant and your interview is scored higher than their's, you would be awarded), but it is not going to kill your chances to be awarded.
The ISR interview is more of a job interview. The person who is interviewing you makes the decision to award the scholarship to you or someone else. Having a bad interview (not looking, sounding, acting professional...etc) can hurt you chances to get a ISR.
It doesn't mean that you have to be the best interviewee ever to be awarded. It just means you don't make avoidable mistakes. The NTAG CO knows you are a teenager and doesn't expect you to be perfect. Just use your common sense, act and look professional, and be honest in your answers and you will be fine.
If you are ISR eligible, your chances are great for being awarded a NROTC scholarship. Just be positive. You will do great!
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I have been distracted as of late with possibly starting a new business post retirement. But I wanted to briefly comment on this thread.
While it is true that NROTC (Navy Option) interviews are just a piece of the overall puzzle of the application process, when I departed active duty as a PNS, that interview accounted for 55 percent of the subjective score points available. Your SAT or ACT scores along with your fitness assessment are cut and dry. But the officer interview, combined with teacher evaluations, your personal responses to essay questions, and your listing of achievements, volunteer efforts, and other awards comprise the subjective portion of the score.
If things have changed, I have not heard of it in my circle of former PNS folks. I just think we need to be careful that a person comes away from reading these forums thinking the officer interview is not significant. The scholarship process remains very competitive and you must prepare for any type of interview with maximum effort.
Quick update to this thread: I just had my interview about 30 minutes ago and was awarded an NROTC ISR Scholarship. I am at a complete loss of words, I am so happy!! They said my background with math and science through engineering, as well as my athletics, makes me a great candidate for aviation and even a Nuclear Officer. This is awesome!!
I’ll update as well: DD had her interview yesterday and was also awarded ISR. So that it’s closer to the top of any searches for future students looking for info, NTAG XO confirmed that ISR is *not* binding and that all DD has to do is send an email if she gets an appointment to a service academy.
GWU PNS (emeritus)
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And just to amplify this a bit further, neither the ISR nor the standard 4 year NROTC scholarship are "binding" or would prevent a candidate from accepting a service academy appointment.
There are colleges that will get annoyed if you accept an Early Decision and then take an academy appointment, but there isn't much they can do about it.
Agreed. DD confirmed with her top choice civilian school that they would release her from ED (without being upset and/or difficult) if she is fortunate enough to gain, and accept, an appointment.
Ihavenoidea
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That is the way to do it. If both parties are aware of the possibility of a service academy appointment even with a ED decision. They really can't be annoyed.