NROTC-MO -- No National Scholarships for College Programmers

That makes sense @Impulsive -- and that has been my son's experience as a "walk on" college program NROTC-MO. My DS was not selected for National Scholarship as a HS senior -- and he joined Marines at SMC. Your explanation seems to provide best fit for what we've heard regarding the National and Sideload scholarship process(es) this year. Thanks for the excellent discussion, and I sure appreciate all the contributors on this forum.
 
My understanding is that college freshman may apply for the National Scholarships (provided they did not validate or transfer 30 college credits), but if awarded the four year it will not be retroactive and in effect it is a three year scholarship. Also, a caveat I believe (at least this year) was if you were a "walk on" non-scholarship 4C Midn in NROTC, you HAD to go through your unit for the "side load" (because there will be a military record for you, and you will need PMS recommendation and CO endorsment), but that if you do not join the Battalion until AFTER you submit you application, then you can go for the National Scholarship. If an applicant is an AP, DE, or IB Grad from HS they likely have at least 30 collage credits that are transferred on their collegiate record, and would have to apply thru their Battalion for the "side load" scholarship.
This is essentially the case of what happened with my son back in 2014. He immediately resubmitted his MO scholarship application in May. He later joined the unit as a college programmer. He was notified in Dec of his Freshman year that he rec'd the 4 year national scholarship on the first MO board. The unit was also working on a sideload for him. Now to say a college programmer has a "military record" is kind of a stretch, however. They will have had exposure to the unit and will have been observed by the relevant staff. My son was blessed in that his MOI was on the first board of the 4 year national scholarship. The 4 year is not retroactive, so he only got to take advantage of 3 years of the scholarship.
 
This is essentially the case of what happened with my son back in 2014. He immediately resubmitted his MO scholarship application in May. He later joined the unit as a college programmer. He was notified in Dec of his Freshman year that he rec'd the 4 year national scholarship on the first MO board. The unit was also working on a sideload for him. Now to say a college programmer has a "military record" is kind of a stretch, however. They will have had exposure to the unit and will have been observed by the relevant staff. My son was blessed in that his MOI was on the first board of the 4 year national scholarship. The 4 year is not retroactive, so he only got to take advantage of 3 years of the scholarship.

I am pretty sure you are right. As long as you apply before the college credits are on the record you should be good. The "Military Record" I was referring to is the fact that even "Walk on's" have to fill out data sheets, drug and alcohol statements, and by approved by the CO, so there is a record in the ROTC program that the person is there. It is not an AD record, but more of an administrative record that they are there, and I believe that once they are noted as being a member of the Unit, they need to go through their PMS and Co for recommendations, even if they don't have the 30 credits, but as you say, they usually end up getting the scholarship but only being able to use 3 or possibly 3.5 years of the scholarship since they do not pay in arrears.
 
I did speak with the MOI on Friday during their December commissioning ceremony. He confirmed that the common practice of the unit sending incoming freshman into the 4 year national scholarship process (which will only end up being 3 years) as soon as they hit the door as college programmers is a no-go after this year. College program mids would be evaluated for a 3 year sideload.

However, he was not sure if somewhat of a loophole still exists of the case of where an incoming freshman started the application on his or her own, finished and submitted it BEFORE starting as a college program midshipman. That application would already be downrange at least for the first board. Sideloads aren't even submitted until the second semester after the unit has had a chance to evaluate the mid.
 
Thanks, rocatlin. I searched on this site to see about dates for submission and decision and did not see anything after 2012. Is there are current understanding of the timing and process for sideload? Do they use the same boards to consider a separate set of applications nationally?
 
Thanks, rocatlin. I searched on this site to see about dates for submission and decision and did not see anything after 2012. Is there are current understanding of the timing and process for sideload? Do they use the same boards to consider a separate set of applications nationally?
Separate boards from other scholarships. They are considered nationally. Not sure if you meant that as two different questions but thought I'd be thorough in my response. A sideload application is quite different from a high school scholarship application. The MOI endorsement is included, photos in uniform taken at particular ranges and angles are also included. I mention the photos because new and recent photos are always included in a promotion application... the Corps considers them important. I know folks who, through no fault of their own but a problem in the system, did not get promoted because of a "missing" photo.
 
The earliest a sideload would be considered is the 2nd semester -- after the staff has had a chance to evaluate a college programmer for a semester.
When my son went through the process (if you search, you'd see the long version of the account), he had resubmitted his 4 year national scholarship app prior to enrolling as a college programmer. (Background, his 4 year app after his junior year was "fumbled" between boards and never made it to the 2nd board.) By totally sheer coincidence, my son's MOI his freshman year was also on the early 4 year board. With extra handling and push through by the new RS staff as well as the unexpected fortune of having his MOI on the early board, he was awarded the 4 year scholarship in Dec of his freshman year. Again, "4 year" is not applicable -- it was only good for 3 years. He was also not required or allowed to go to CORTRAMID after his freshman year since his scholarship had not activated.

If he had not been awarded the 4 year national scholarship, the MOI and staff had already started paperwork for his sideload, so in effect he had an extra chance.

All of us that are veterans of watching the process have to be intellectually honest in stating that there was stress involved when our kids went through it. It's a big deal -- not just financially. These "kids" work hard and we like to see hard work rewarded. There are also kids that get the scholarships that end up not making it or just plain quit. I've seen those that hit the door of the NROTC unit that one wonders how they made it through the process and they usually don't last a week before they quit or are found unqualified (usually physically).

One common thread is that by this stage in the process, the applicant can control very little in the process (other than maybe updated PFT or grades) and the parent can control absolutely nothing (other than providing encouragement).
 
Update to my original post -- my 4th class Mid SMC college programmer DS completed paperwork for the NROTC-MO sideload scholarship this week. Fingers crossed. An interesting note was that the sideload scholarship candidates were asked if they wished to be considered by the Reserve Board. Specifically, the question on the form read, "If not selected for an active duty commission, I want to be considered for the Reserve Board. (Yes / No)." He selected Yes -- and then had another form to fill out a few days later regarding reserve unit Geographic Preference // or Needs of the Corps (if he goes USMC Reserves). DS hopes to get Active Duty, but wants to commission and lead Marines, first and foremost. Welcome any comments if other DS / DD going through the sideload process this spring. Happy to move to a new thread if moderators prefer. Regards.
 
I had the opportunity to read my Mid's 3 yr sideload application this week while he was home on break. It was a very moving experience to read the unit commander's and the instructor's enthusiastic recommendation and description of his progress. He was copied in on submittal on the 4th.

I know my son is a good kid, but it's stark to read the ways enumerated in the structured language of military officers.
 
Update to my original post -- my 4th class Mid SMC college programmer DS completed paperwork for the NROTC-MO sideload scholarship this week. Fingers crossed. An interesting note was that the sideload scholarship candidates were asked if they wished to be considered by the Reserve Board. Specifically, the question on the form read, "If not selected for an active duty commission, I want to be considered for the Reserve Board. (Yes / No)." He selected Yes -- and then had another form to fill out a few days later regarding reserve unit Geographic Preference // or Needs of the Corps (if he goes USMC Reserves). DS hopes to get Active Duty, but wants to commission and lead Marines, first and foremost. Welcome any comments if other DS / DD going through the sideload process this spring. Happy to move to a new thread if moderators prefer. Regards.
I've not heard of this happening in he past, so I'm not sure if it's something new. One thing to keep in mind is that, if he is not awarded a scholarship this year active duty, he can apply for a 2 year side load next year and if he does not get that, he can apply for Advanced Standing, which would still get him to active duty. Advanced Standing does not get tuition pad, but get the monthly stipend and book allowance. Someting he may want to discuss with staff if he hasn't already, to be sure he is clear on what everything means.
 
Good advice and I understand from DS that they had information sessions with AMOI. Hard to know where path may lead but good to know there are options. The sideload board is in April, I believe.
 
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