NROTC or AROTC

[harpsterjr]

I was recently awarded a 4 year scholarship for NROTC (Navy Option) as a tier 2 major at Penn State University. After the second Army ROTC board, I was awarded a 3 year scholarship at my choice of Texas A&M, Penn State, or the University of Buffalo. I am having a tough time deciding between which program and school to attend. I loved all the campuses and both scholarships have their own pros and cons. The cost difference to attend school between the Army scholarship and the Navy scholarship is about $40,000. This forum is open to anyone with more knowledge about either program and would like to help guide my decision.

 

[TexasAggie204]

I attended A&M, my sister attended Penn State. Very biased, however there is NO COMPARISON between the ROTC experience at PSU vs. TAMU. Both are obviously big state schools, big-time school spirit, football centric, very good academics, rural setting, etc. I actually had a professor at A&M who had just come from PSU and he used to comment on how much the schools seemed very much alike. All that being said, being in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets is a VERY UNIQUE and rewarding experience. It's as close to being at a service academy as you can experience (with the exception of VMI - huge respect for those guys). It's basically 24/7 in uniform and truly most things at the school are centered around the Corps. Not the same at PSU. All schools can produce fine ROTC officers, but officers from A&M are very unique due to the 4-year experience in the Corps. When I was in the military, I heard dozens, if not hundreds of times how much other officers "respected and sometimes envied" Aggies!

 

[Montana State Army ROTC]

Do you like being in a ship or sleeping in the mud? That should make the difference to you.

 

[Capt MJ]

Ya gotta want to do things under the water, on the water, in the water, over the water, out of sight of land for long periods of time, for big chunks of your Navy career, in most cases. It is not everyone’s cup of salt water.

Your first big decision is Army or Navy. Reverse engineer it. Different missions, different gear, different culture. Once you figure that out, look for your best fit in a pre-comm path that feels right to you. If you are happy where you are, you will excel.