NROTC Scholarship/Summer Classes

[navymom1]

My DS has a NROTC scholarship to VMI and we are wondering if the scholarship will cover summer courses taken during the summer transition program. It would be a class toward his degree.

We know we would have to cover the room and board. Just wondering if the NROTC will cover the class and books?

Thanks!

 

[NavyNOLA]

No, for the simple reason that his scholarship won't be activated until he reports in the fall.

 

[Norfolk63]

... and passes the PRT (fitness) test.

 

[NavyNOLA]

... and passes the PRT (fitness) test.

That's not a requirement to have an NROTC scholarship activated. They simply need to be physically qualified by DODMERB to have the scholarship activated. The initial PRT is often a couple weeks after swearing in/reporting, and many students will not meet commissioning standards on the first time out. That in no way prevents their scholarship from being activated. However, a PNS does have the discretion to decline to activate a student's scholarship if they report outside of BCA standards, or if there is significant concern in their ability to get remotely close to PRT standards; this is uncommon.

 

[Norfolk63]

I appear to be on NavyNola's $&## list.
This is not the first time an attempt to post helpful information has been sliced and diced...

DS' NROTC acceptance ltr stated that the scholarship would not be activated unless the candidate scored a "Good" or higher on the PRT. This PRT was conducted at 0500 on day one of Freshman orientation.

Just saying.

 

[NavyNOLA]

I appear to be on NavyNola's $&## list.
This is not the first time an attempt to post helpful information has been sliced and diced...

DS' NROTC acceptance ltr stated that the scholarship would not be activated unless the candidate scored a "Good" or higher on the PRT. This PRT was conducted at 0500 on day one of Freshman orientation.

Just saying.

Oh my.....

I'm just going to continue providing information on the NROTC standards and policies that are in use, based on first-hand knowledge as an instructor. Unless you also have the opportunity to read the continually published guidance from Officer Development and Commander NSTC, there might just be things you're not aware of. However, I'm happy to shed light in many areas.

Back to the OP's question, the PRT doesn't have a darn thing to do with the ability to take summer classes prior to reporting in the fall. Summer classes prior to college can not be paid for by the scholarship, because the scholarship doesn't begin until fall 2017.

 

[5Day]

My DS failed his PRT during freshman NROTC orientation. He had to stop during the run to throw up into a trash. The stress must have gotten to him. A month or so later they re-ran the PRT and he did fine. His scholarship must have been activated because his tuition was paid prior to him passing the PRT.

 

[Norfolk63]

NROTC notification letter...

 

[NavyNOLA]

NROTC notification letter...

Yeah, thanks, I'm well aware of what the paperwork that goes out to all the scholarship awardees says. What I wrote above describes how the majority of NROTC units are ACTUALLY operating. Again, the PRT has nothing to do with the original question.

 

[Norfolk63]

No worries.
Just trying to be of service.

 

[5Day]

As this thread diverges.... it says "able" to pass the PRT. It does not say you must pass the PRT.

 

[Norfolk63]

According to DS, after PRT was administered on day one, the candidates who did not pass were called out and escorted out.

 

[ktnatalk]

I don't disagree with the answer NavyNOLA provided to OP's original question. Is it possible both NavyNOLA and Norfolk are both correct, based on how things are being handled, the instructions and their firsthand knowledge? I have zero experience with ROTC, just curious.

 

[Norfolk63]

Yes, ktnatalk, your assessment is spot on.

 

[ktnatalk]

Thanks, Norfolk. I think the way it was clearly stated in the letter you shared makes prefect sense. If someone work so hard to get it they should be prepared for it. Really no excuses to be unprepared for the PT test, other than any extenuating circumstances.

 

[Norfolk63]

Thanks, Norfolk. I think the way it was clearly stated in the letter you shared makes prefect sense. If someone work so hard to get it they should be prepared for it. Really no excuses to be unprepared for the PT test, other than any extenuating circumstances.

Agreed. Going away to college with all of the typical trip wires are enough of a challenge without needing to worry about performing poorly on the PRT.