NROTC interview?

N

nsbUSNA

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Oct 23, 2013
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I just got a call from the local navy recruiting station about an interview for the NROTC application that I started earlier this week. I have a few questions:

1) did they contact me because I reached a certain point in my application?
2) I'm assuming a suit is appropriate for this interview?
3) What kind of questions will they ask me? I wasn't expecting this interview to come up so quickly. Can anyone who went through this give me some guidance/tips or tell me what will happen at this interview?
 
nsbUSNA: I would guess your assumption is correct. You have triggered the interview. No worries - if this is the case, you are well ahead of the curve.

While you wait for responses, I suggest you search this forum for threads on interviewing tips and hints. You will see LOTS of commentary on the subject.

Good luck!
 
My DS received an NROTC scholarship this past March. He had to expound on his resume, they asked the standard...why NROTC?, and they will give you time to ask questions at the end. I highly recommend you ask a good question. Something that requires more than a one word answer.

There were a lot of interviews on the day we went. Several people were doing the interviews. My son really hit it off with his interviewer and they had a great conversation.

Most important is to be yourself, dress well and be confident in your answers. Give it some thought ahead of time but don't get too worked up, it's not a hard interview.
 
Khaki slacks and collared shirt is good enough, especially for the recruiter.

One thing to always keep in mind with any recruiter is that their chief responsibility is to enlist people. If this is in fact a recruiter and not the interview normally associated with the scholarship (which I believe is always conducted by an officer) then you should be on guard about bring "recruited". Be polite. Learn what you can because who knows what the backup plan is. However, don't let anyone sell you a bill of goods about enlisting now and if you get the scholarship you're free to go... because if you don't get the scholarship Uncle Sugar now owns your butt.

Not saying all recruiters are that way or even a large number... but some are.
 
I recall for my DS the NROTC online application process mentioned that a recruiter would call him. Regardless, a recruiter picked him up at our house and pushed him through the process rapidly, interview and all. It helped get him done quickly and he eventually was offered a scholarship.

To me it seemed like a very local process, very different from the AFROTC national process.

Nice shirt with Khakis is good as others have mentioned.

My DS practiced his interview with an active duty Navy officer, we asked a great Navy Captain living nearby. The favorite question I remember my DS telling me about: Q. What if we don't offer you a scholarship? A. I will try again because this is what I want to do!
 
I respectfully disagree that khakis and nice shirt are "good enough." I would go dressed for success. The "recruiter" assigned to help NROTC applicants fulfills a very important job in helping you get your application squared away and prepared for the scholarship boards. They can also help be your gateway to a potential ISR (Immediate Scholarship). In my DD's case, her interview was conducted by the NCO "recruiter." Throughout the application process this person worked with DD to insure she had the best packet ready to submit. He also followed up with her through the whole process, including through DoDMERB. While this process is run through the recruiting office locally, their goal is NOT to recruit you as an enlisted Seaman. These offices actually have recruiting goals for NROTC Scholarship recipients. Now, if you were to apply for a NROTC scholarship and if they think you have absolutely no shot of getting one (i.e. very low stats, test scores, etc.) then they may discuss the idea of enlisting if your goal is to serve in the Navy, but they never discussed the idea of enlisting with DD. She had her packet completed last August and was notified she had gotten the scholarship in the 2nd board. This process was quite different than the AROTC process that she went through.
 
+1 USMAROTCfamily my son wore a suit and tie to his interview. And be early! His interview took place at Great Lakes Naval Base so we worked with a Lt. and a Master Chief to make sure all his paperwork was squared away.
 
We may be mixing two things into one.

There may be a meeting with a recruiter to assist with the application in its initial phases and then there may be an interview with a senior officer as part of the application process.

The OP may want to ask who he is meeting with.

Dress smartly in any case but I personally think a coat/ suit and tie are appropriate for the Officer's interview. But I fully recognize that there are different views on this.
 
+1 for USMCGrunt.

Son first met with the NROTC recruiter who's only job was NROTC applicants, no sell for the enlisted side. For this he wore slacks and dress shirt. The recruiter went over the process and asked him all the basic questions (why navy, what do you want to do in the navy, etc, etc).

As with navymom's son, my son was then called to go to Great Lakes and interview with an officer. For this he wore a suit. This interview is the "biggy". After the interview, the officer writes a review and sends it on to Pensacola for your packet.

There are a kazillion threads on this site about interview questions and how to prepare, what to wear, etc., grab yourself a Mt. dew and just start reading! But at the same time, be yourself and let your personality show. You can be well-prepared without being a nervous wreck or a robot. The officer (for the most part) is not the enemy and his/her job is not to trip you up. Believe in your dreams and in your successes that got you to that point. Be confident. Speak up and clearly, us older folk can't understand half of what you kids are saying, so make sure to watch for body language that says the interviewer is still with you.

Good luck!
 
Any interview--professional attire. Also have a recently updated resume to handout. If there is more than one person conducting the interview have enough resumes to go around. DS's NROTC recruiter was impressed by his profession resume and attire.
 
DD had interview last August, but only with a recruiter. She never had an interview with an officer nor was she told there would be a second interview with an officer. Still got the scholarship (but turned it down for Army).

And yes, she did "dress for success", which I think is the best approach to show that you take the process seriously.

Good luck!
 
Practice with your parents or friends. Look up standard interview questions on the web. It doesn't matter what the questions are. Just get used to the environment. I recommend parents if possible. They increase the frustration level. If you can do well with them, you will have fun with the real interview.
OS
 
Hey, I got a call the same day (I'm assuming Wednesday around 4/5ish?) from my local NROTC recruiter. Did your recruiter say to have the physical readiness test done for the interview or no? Mine wasn't too specific and the call felt a bit rushed.


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There was no physical readiness test for my son (NROTC) but I have heard that MO-NROTC have had to do physical readiness tests.
 
+1 to navymomwannabe. No PRT is required for Navy Option. Marine Option requires the Marine PFT.
 
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