NROTC Scholarship: pause a semester

LouiseScout

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Jul 28, 2021
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I have an NROTC scholarship and just finished my freshman year of college. I am in the Corps of Cadets at my University. I am on academic probation. Can I stay home a semester, take classes at the community college, and try to figure out why I am failing, or will I lose my scholarship?
Also, may I get tested for ADD or depression and then if prescribed take medicine to help me or will being on medication for mental issues cause me to loose my scholarship and not be accepted by the Navy?

thank you
 
I'm not an expert on how the Navy would deal with the school transfer, but I know an ADD diagnosis or depression diagnosis as a midshipman will more than likely result in loss of scholarship until the issue is resolved. You might have to do some serious soul-searching to realize that if these issues are preventing you from getting passing grades, they're likely going to prevent you from doing your job as an officer, or at least doing it effectively. Your mental health is far more important than a commission. There are always options to get back in at a later time once the issues are resolved.

Another option to consider is that a school with a corps of cadets might not be for you. The corps adds extra stress, more than you'd ever see on a day-to-day basis on active duty, with the hope that the cadet will see growth from that added pressure. However, not everyone functions at their best in that kind of environment. I personally chose a traditional college route, partially for that reason, and once on active duty still managed to graduate from one of the more academically and mentally challenging courses in the military.

Finally, keep in mind freshman year is notorious for kicking students in the butt. You might not have ever been really challenged academically before, and the added stress of being at a senior military college might have simply overwhelmed you. It doesn't mean you won't get your feet under you next year.
 
Your first question is best addressed with your unit staff, but I believe that would be a long shot. If you are clinically depressed, the most important thing is to deal with that and get the help you need. Yes, medications for ADD and depression may disqualify you. The answers to those questions can be found in the medical standards. They would be the same standards you had to meet to initially qualify with DODMERB.

I do not know you or your individual situation, so this may or may not apply to you. You just finished your freshman year in unprecedented times due to COVID. Many universities were completely or mostly virtual. Events schools normally hold to welcome freshman and help them acclimate were cancelled. Support systems were removed. I'll bet a higher number than usual of students ended up on academic probation after this past year and that a higher percentage report feeling isolated, lonely or depressed. Adjusting to college life can be hard, even under the best of circumstances. ADD is real. My DD (not ROTC) was diagnosed with this after her freshman year of college. This was never mentioned as a possibility throughout elementary, JR high or high school. I was surprised how many students are diagnosed in college. But there are also a lot of students who struggle beginning college because they have not learned proper study skills or time management. Many universities have classes to teach these skills. There are also businesses that specialize in teaching these skills. If you were successful enough in high school to earn an NROTC scholarship and did not have an ADD diagnosis and receive accommodations or take medications, I'd wager your issue is not ADD, but organization, study skills and self-discipline. And what you are thinking may be depression could just be a normal difficulty adjusting to college life, exacerbated by the COVID situation.
 
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