NROTC Q&A

H

hockeygirl

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
130
Hello all,

It's been a few (really busy) months since I have posted and am going to have some null time this weekend and would be open to fielding your questions about NROTC.

Just as a heads up/ reminder I'm a 4/C MIDN Tier 1 major. I tried to make playing a D3 sport work - but for me: 21 credits + unit involvement + high grades is not something possible for me as I wasn't able to give my 115% in everything I was doing.

Ask away!

Best,
hockeygirl
 
I'm not exactly sure what I should be asking, but I am applying for a NROTC scholarship this year and am wondering if you have any specific advice or hindsight to give me.

Well, maybe one question, what was your first choice school and which choice did you end up at?
 
BlackIce said:
I'm not exactly sure what I should be asking, but I am applying for a NROTC scholarship this year and am wondering if you have any specific advice or hindsight to give me.

Well, maybe one question, what was your first choice school and which choice did you end up at?
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BlackIce- My first school was the Naval Academy, and I ended up at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

My only advice would be to ask questions. As many as you can and about anything. Most people are open to answering about something they are passionate about and had I asked more in beginning I think I would have liked being in NROTC and and RPI much much sooner than a month into going to school.

Also - pushups. Do them A LOT. It will help in the long run.
 
Hello! I have been trying to find people that were offered an appointment to the academy, but chose to attend NROTC instead. I see that your first choice was Naval Academy. Were you offered both and decided NROTC? What is your perspective now? My son has completed his NROTC application and is waiting to hear....also completed his academy application 95pct. While he doesn't have an offer of either, I have been looking for input should he ask me.
 
@justdoit19 - I did not get an appointment (although I would like to think I was pretty close- I was on the WL until just before I-Day).

I have battled with the struggle of re-applying since May and if it would be worth the time and effort for me both personally and professionally. Although, in the end I will earn my commission and serve in the Navy which is my true end goal; not to just attend the Academy for the namesake, but to get an education that I can use as a tool to help me succeed as an officer. (a) My declared major is Nuclear Engineering and as such I have a bigger chance at getting on a sub or carrier, which is where I would like to end up. (b) The quality/quantity of education is going to differ from that which the MIDN at the academy are going to receive due to the school's mission and educational opportunities; mine being a research institution and therefore more influence and exposure to those aspects. (c) I realized that I really like college and the unique opportunities that I have (research, internships, clubs, sports) as well as the shipmates that I cannot imagine leaving.

From a different perspective, some of my classmates are re-applying in earnest and hope to get an appointment as they believe that the Academy offers them an opportunity or experience that NROTC does not adequately address. Ie. military training and being "locked on" with bearing and discipline 100% of the time; the connections that USNA gives to MIDN allows for a wider breadth net to be cast as the alum and classmates are closely tied together and for the most part highly involved in the Navy.
 
So if you are offered an appointment from USNA will you accept it or stick with ROTC? Why or why not?
 
hdl160 said:
So if you are offered an appointment from USNA will you accept it or stick with ROTC? Why or why not?
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Up until a few hours ago I did not want to re-apply to the Academy because I did not see the advantage it could give me professionally; especially when compared to the education I will receive with my unit and school.

For me this question is so much like the Migram experiment- would you continue to shock the patient? It is an answer that you could only find once placed in a position where you are forced to make a decision. So I guess and see if I will be given the opportunity to make a choice.
 
@hockeygirl Very interested to hear what you ultimately decide. My sons reasons for NROTC are very similar to what you stated above. Good luck to you and thanks for the response.
 
justdoit19 said:
Hello! I have been trying to find people that were offered an appointment to the academy, but chose to attend NROTC instead. I see that your first choice was Naval Academy. Were you offered both and decided NROTC? What is your perspective now? My son has completed his NROTC application and is waiting to hear....also completed his academy application 95pct. While he doesn't have an offer of either, I have been looking for input should he ask me.
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Just a note that not all NROTC programs are alike. My DD is an NROTC scholarship recipient at Virginia Tech and in the Corps of Cadets there. VT is, and was originally, a Senior Military College (it just happens, like Tex A&M, to have a major research university built around it). Likewise, VMI, Citadel, and the other SMCs are a 24/7 military experience like the academies. My DD chose VT because of the engineering academics ( PhD-granting program rather than just undergraduate) combined with the leadership opportunities that the Regiment provides. She wears a uniform every single day. She lives in Corps housing with all the other cadets. She is in one of three battalions in a corps of more than 1100. She saw it as the "best of both worlds". Note, though that non-SMC ROTC programs are definitely more civilian-college based with the units meeting less often, uniforms are usually 1-2 days a week, and the MIDN are more civilian integrated throughout the week. This is not better or worse - they ALL take the same Naval Science classes, the scholarship kids all take the the same summer cruises, CORTRAMID (actually same as the academies for that matter). But, the experience is different from an SMC.

So, my advice is to have your son determine what experience he wants to have for his MIDN years. There are admirals and air-craft carrier Commanders and all sorts of leaders that have emerged from each one of these options. Good luck!
 
Great perspective. He will actually be heading out to Annapolis for a 48 hr stay in 2 weeks, and will do the same at the NROTC unit (where he received a scholarship). I know that will be the best information he can have to make his decision. Thanks for your response!!
 
justdoit19 said:
Great perspective. He will actually be heading out to Annapolis for a 48 hr stay in 2 weeks, and will do the same at the NROTC unit (where he received a scholarship). I know that will be the best information he can have to make his decision. Thanks for your response!!
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The SMC's also have overnighters although the fall schedule is probably out of the question since those fill up. But on the off chance -- he could look for one like this - https://vtcc.vt.edu/join/visit-campus.html from VT. Good luck to you and your son!
 
Odd question, but I'm curious. Do you have the option to swim 500 yards on your PFT like you can once commissioned?
 
runjoeyrun said:
Odd question, but I'm curious. Do you have the option to swim 500 yards on your PFT like you can once commissioned?
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In my NROTC unit, the swim is usually only conducted for those with injuries that would prevent them from running. Anyone can ask but requests will likely be denied because it is a process to reserve a pool, find a lifeguard (especially so early in the mornings), and go out of the way for one MIDN.
 
wannabeplebe said:
runjoeyrun said:
Odd question, but I'm curious. Do you have the option to swim 500 yards on your PFT like you can once commissioned?
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In my NROTC unit, the swim is usually only conducted for those with injuries that would prevent them from running. Anyone can ask but requests will likely be denied because it is a process to reserve a pool, find a lifeguard (especially so early in the mornings), and go out of the way for one MIDN.
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Ok, thank you! I was just curious as I'm a competitive swimmer and my swim time would lend me way more points than my best run, but that definitely makes sense.
 
runjoeyrun said:
wannabeplebe said:
runjoeyrun said:
Odd question, but I'm curious. Do you have the option to swim 500 yards on your PFT like you can once commissioned?
Click to expand...
In my NROTC unit, the swim is usually only conducted for those with injuries that would prevent them from running. Anyone can ask but requests will likely be denied because it is a process to reserve a pool, find a lifeguard (especially so early in the mornings), and go out of the way for one MIDN.
Click to expand...
Ok, thank you! I was just curious as I'm a competitive swimmer and my swim time would lend me way more points than my best run, but that definitely makes sense.
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I am 100% the same way, but I promise that your running will improve as your time in the unit progresses. Mine is still definitely not where I want it to be or anywhere close to what my swim would be yet, but since the initial PFA we took at the beginning of this semester, my 1.5 mile has gone down by 2:20, and that's mainly just PT 3x a week.
 
wannabeplebe said:
I am 100% the same way, but I promise that your running will improve as your time in the unit progresses. Mine is still definitely not where I want it to be or anywhere close to what my swim would be yet, but since the initial PFA we took at the beginning of this semester, my 1.5 mile has gone down by 2:20, and that's mainly just PT 3x a week.
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Do you mind me asking what your scores were on your application?
 
runjoeyrun said:
wannabeplebe said:
I am 100% the same way, but I promise that your running will improve as your time in the unit progresses. Mine is still definitely not where I want it to be or anywhere close to what my swim would be yet, but since the initial PFA we took at the beginning of this semester, my 1.5 mile has gone down by 2:20, and that's mainly just PT 3x a week.
Click to expand...

Do you mind me asking what your scores were on your application?
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I can't remember what my scores were exactly, but I would guess that aiming for "GOOD" or above on the PRT scale is a good first goal marker. In reality, your scores (to be competitive) should be Excellent/ Outstanding while in school.

For females a good is above 62 situps/24 pushups/ 13:30; Excellent is above 42 pushups/ 90 situps/ 12:30 run. For males an excellent is above 76 pushups/90 situps/9:45 run.
 
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