NROTC - Marine Option

My son applied for the MO NROTC but is also working on Plan B. He is considering still being an NROTC member and applying for the college program with hopes of scholarship opportunities his second year but also knows of the PLC option. As a parent, I'm wondering if scholarships for 2nd year students are few or is there a good amount given to outstanding students? He has always been a great student (4.0 and see that continuing into college) and very focused on his end goal of Marine Corps Officer. From a financial standpoint, where he would go if he did the PLC option would be less financially, but I want him to go whatever route is best for him in regards to meeting his end goal, and being the best he can be at it. Does anyone have any advice regarding the two options? Pros/cons?
+1 to AROTC-dad regarding PLC as a top off. There are good chances of winning a scholarship while in the program but it is still competitive. He will need to get great grades and excel at PT and leadership. That being said, if my son can do it so can yours. DS was a B student in high school but he finally started applying himself in college and made Dean's list 6 of 8 semesters and every semester his freshman year. He excelled at PT always hitting 300 at the final record PFT and showed great leadership skills. One of the MECEPs who happened to show me one of his evaluations said that no one at his livel gets those scores.... no one. He was awarded a scholarship which kicked in for the second semester of sophomore year. PLC was always DS's backup plan if somehow NROTC didn't pan out for him, and then OCC after that if necessary.

I'd recommend the NROTC MO route at a school you can afford in case there are snags along the way. OK to try expensive stretch schools but if pne decides NROTC isn't for them then you have difficult decisions to make. I sent the kid to an out-of-state school but he won a scholarship which got it down to close to what it cost to attend an in-state school. I made him borrow the difference just so he would have some skin in the game.

NROTC brought out the best in my son. I don't think he would have done as well in college without his participation in NROTC. He still keeps in touch with the midshipmen he commissioned with and some a year ahead and behind him. They just all had a "reunion" in San Diego recently with Marines from Pendleton, and Navy guys from San Diego and nearby air bases.
 
The Marine Option contingent at any one unit may not be very large. See photo below for example. But there is usually a Marine Option

View attachment 3769
Just want to point out that the Marines in this photo will be MECEPS (active duty enlisted Marines getting their college degree and commissioning) and maybe the MOI/AMOI. NROTC Marine option midshipmen wear the same uniform as Navy option midshipmen.
 
Just want to point out that the Marines in this photo will be MECEPS (active duty enlisted Marines getting their college degree and commissioning) and maybe the MOI/AMOI. NROTC Marine option midshipmen wear the same uniform as Navy option midshipmen.

Thanks for that info. I did not know that. I guess that’s why marine option MIDN Complain about having to buy uniforms when they graduate
 
@DadFutureMarine I was thinking while I was on my daily walk today, as I am wont to do, and thought I would pass along a couple resources your DS might find interesting and even encourage him to look into the NROTC path.

This one is sort of a sales video for NROTC which I think is very good.

The next is an overview of Officer Candidate School

Hope you both find these helpful and they inspire him to become a Marine Corps Officer.
 
@DadFutureMarine I can't stop myself.... These first 4 are brief interviews with a female NROTC Navy Option midshipman





This last one is a newly minted NROTC Marine Option Lieutenant

 
+1 to NJROTC-CC. I've never heard of a school with NROTC that didn't have a Marine Option program. Each unit has a Marine Officer Instructor and Asst. MOI assigned who are both active duty Marines. When he applies NROTC he must select either the Navy Option or Marine Option. He cannot choose both.

No reason to not start working on that Marine PFT, which you can find online, in any case.

DS wanted to enlist with some of his buddies but Mom insisted on college first and going in as an officer. He acquiesced, loved the program, and is loving his life as a Marine Officer today. Maybe show your son the enlisted vs officer pay scales. Also, tell him it doesn't hurt to pursue NROTC as an option while he's still in high school so he can make an informed decision either way. Meet with the MOI if at all possible while visiting colleges. If you start doing that this spring, if not earlier, maybe you can encourage more interest in the NROTC path.

BTW - my kid started without a scholarship but had earned one by the second semester of his sophomore year.

(cross-posted with the inimitable AROTC-dad)

Kinnem, is the "side-load" program referred to in these boards the same thing as the "Two-Three Year Scholarships" listed at the NROTC website?
 
Kinnem and USMCGrunt -
I want to thank you many times over. Our son is currently waiting to hear from the first NROTC - Marine Option Board. We learned ~so~ very much from this Board. Our son qualifies for the top schools in the country with ACT and academically (one being our in-state school with NROTC - Georgia Tech), he achieved a 292 on his PFT (trying for 300!) and we feel like he has deep, impressive things to say about his sports accomplishments and leadership. He does not have "team captain" on his record, but he just won Coaches' Award after his interview. We feel like his interview went very well as we practiced a lot and his bearing is very good. He was "all in" for Marines in a calm way and was quite in the know about options B, C, D (college programmer, PLC, etc.). Also, we had a wonderful visit to the Marine battalion at Georgia Tech. I really appreciate all that we have learned from you with regard to the college program and other alternatives to receiving the scholarship.
 
@Mousie29 - you are welcome. There are likely to be many more questions along this journey. Feel free to keep on reaching out. Happy to help.
 
Kinnem and USMCGrunt -
I want to thank you many times over. Our son is currently waiting to hear from the first NROTC - Marine Option Board. We learned ~so~ very much from this Board. Our son qualifies for the top schools in the country with ACT and academically (one being our in-state school with NROTC - Georgia Tech), he achieved a 292 on his PFT (trying for 300!) and we feel like he has deep, impressive things to say about his sports accomplishments and leadership. He does not have "team captain" on his record, but he just won Coaches' Award after his interview. We feel like his interview went very well as we practiced a lot and his bearing is very good. He was "all in" for Marines in a calm way and was quite in the know about options B, C, D (college programmer, PLC, etc.). Also, we had a wonderful visit to the Marine battalion at Georgia Tech. I really appreciate all that we have learned from you with regard to the college program and other alternatives to receiving the scholarship.
#GoJackets !!! my son is NROTC at GT this year. its an excellent group.
 
@DadFutureMarine

Saw your post and wanted to share something with you... my son attended the Battles Won Academy the summer between his junior/senior year of high school and it was the best experience ever for him. I have another son who is USMC enlisted, but this one is definitely going the officer route and is currently on 4-year NROTC scholarship. It might be the perfect opportunity for your son to apply and see if he receives the honor to attend - it may help him flush it out for sure. I know it did for my son. I'd happily chat more if you want additional details.


Applications due January 12, 2020 at 11:59PM PST.
 
My DS enlisted in the USMC in 2nd semester senior still in high school with both parental consent. Graduated high school, DODMERB, on his way to San Diego MCRD, then applied very late for NROTC Scholarship... Lo and Behold! he got the NROTC Scholarship. Was then put on Delayed Entry and now 2nd Class MIDN-Marine Option. Anything is Possible
 
My son is a HS junior and wants to join the Marines. I am trying to encourage him to do the ROTC route and I see there are schools with a NROTC - Marine option, but I can't find any comprehensive lists for the schools with the Marine Option. Any ideas?
Texas A&M Corps of Cadets commissions more officers than all but the Service Academies, having said that there are several excellent schools you can look up on NROTC website. In the meantime prepare for run, practice chin-ups, study, read and keep nose to the grindstone. My son read much about the History of the Marine Corps, Chesty Puller, famous battles etc. I believe that helped significantly in his interviews.
 
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