An ROTC unit, like any military unit, is a dynamic group, refreshed with a new class every year, and with military staff turnover staggered across individuals every 2-3 years. Rule of thumb in military units is roughly 1/3 turnover annually. That means cultures shift as well.
The general advice here is look for the school that is the best fit and feels right in head, heart, gut. If the midshipman is happy at the school, they will thrive and carry that into NROTC performance. It is up to the midshipman as a young adult to create his or her own support system, to excel in any setting and to exercise servant leadership in supporting others. In the Navy or Marine Corps, they will change units and possibly locations every 2-3 years. They learn to adapt, overcome, get along with a wide variety of individuals, work settings and unit cultures. That learning starts in ROTC.
A not-so-secret secret. The military and veterans are one big clique. Inside the family, there are sub-groups, intra-family trash-talking, but we are family. Any mature, well-adjusted, adaptive, resilient young adult will navigate just fine.
The ROTC years are a gateway to the 5+ years of obligated service after commissioning. That is the goal. The midshipman’s job is to perform satisfactorily in all evaluated areas, be a good team member and team leader and grow into an individual worthy of an officer’s commission.
If you are a parent, you taught them to fly, as well as to solve their own problems and pick themselves up after a failure. Now you get to watch them soar on their own.
