Options to Commission if DOR from NROTC

M

MIDN Scanlon

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I am a rising 2/C MIDN with a 4-year scholarship, but college isn't working out for me right now. I can't keep up with studying hard, working to cover my cost of living, fulfilling ROTC obligations, and trying to maintain some resemblance of a social life simultaneously, and I need a change. Additionally, my grades in Calc and Physics aren't good enough to be considered for the SWO Nuke option which has been my top choice for service assignment. I am highly considering taking a break from college for a few years while I enlist as a Nuke (ETN). This would allow me to learn how to Be a Nuke, accrue active service time towards the GI Bill, and also pay back ROTC scholarship benefits I have already used. This way when I return to college later in life there aren't soo many things I have to juggle at the same time.

That being said, I have always had the goal of becoming an Officer in the Navy, so I am wondering if I DOR, does that preclude me from attempting another commissioning route (STA-21 or OCS) in the future? I have combed the ROD (NSTC_M-1533.2E-ROD) in all sections where it discusses DOR and even Disenrollment, and don't see anywhere where it says that I cannot pursue another path for Commissioning if I DOR or even if I fail out of ROTC, but I thought I'd ask here too.
 
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If you receive a 4 year degree, OCS is always an option. Failing academically and getting disenrolled from NROTC is not ideal but it is not a barrier to OCS.

Having a disenrollment for significant disciplinary reasons can be a barrier but that would be decided by an Admiral and made very clear when you were presented final paperwork for commissioning.
 
Curious: what happens if grades are not appropriate for NUKE? What options are there at that point?

OP, maybe a summer off will help? My mom hat hates to see someone halfway done, quit. Also saddling yourself with 1) paying for two years, plus 2) paying BACK the first two.

My mom hat would wonder what changes you could make to lessen your load. My Mom hat would wonder if you could ‘settle’ for plan B,…NOT nuke. Plus, are there guarantees of Nuke anyhow? Even with proper preparation? And my mom hat would tell you that things will most likely get harder, not easier.

Idk what the answer is for you, but my mom hat would tell you that what you are considering, will most likely ADD stress to your life. Not lessen it. And that perhaps there are adjustments you could make on your current path, to reduce stress.

Good luck to you. Adulting is hard.
 
If you can gut out college, even with the lowest GPA to remain in good standing, then I would do that. Once you are an Ensign nobody will ask about your GPA. Yes, Nuke is probably no longer an option, but if your grades in Calc and Physics aren't good, then that is a sign you should try a different path. As other poster stated, no guarantee for Nukes even if you have strong grades. Hopefully you enjoy your major, and those courses interest you to keep your grades up in the fall.

Don't give up until the Navy asks you to leave ROTC.
 
Illl add this: my oldest graduated last year (USNA, but as pointed out, once you are out there the source doesn’t matter). Several of his friends were service assigned communities they hadnt planned for. Several of his friends were disappointed with their community assignment. And now, a year in, all of those friends are happy where they are.

You dont know what you dont know. And if it’s the grades/community that is the source of your angst, be open to other options. You can find joy in all things, and bloom where you are planted. If its more that you are dealing with, im a big fan of talking things through with a Chaplain, or other trained adult that can help you sort it all out…before making a drastic decision that doesn’t get a do-over.
 
This is one of those times in life where you have to take stock in what you want versus what you are able to accomplish and get the two to merge together. If you are really struggling with Calc and Phys, then really consider if you want to go Nuke where there is only more of that. If you decide that Nuke is worth it, then understand that some other sacrifices somewhere will have to be taken to make it happen.
 
I’m going to reply with my experience from the enlisted side of the house. I went to trade school while in high school for diesel mechanics. I had always wanted to be in the Navy, long family line with service in WW2 & Korea. I went into delayed entry at MEPS eight months before my enlistment date. My father told me you better have a plan because you can’t stay at home after high school.

While at MEPS I was offered Nuke EM, Gas Turbine Electrical, Gas Turbine Mechanical, Hull Technician with Advanced Welding, all 6 year obligation with PO3 after A-school. While on a break a MEPS an Army Sergeant First Class offered me Aircraft Turbine Power Plant technician. I had already known that ANYTHING Nuke was out of the question as my math skills were not so good in high school. Someone or something was smacking me in the head with gas turbines/jet engines, but I did not see it.

Stubborn a$$ me said “I’m going to be a Navy Enginman!” I entered the Navy as an undesignated Fireman Recruit (E-1) and regretted turning down GSE, GSM, and even the Army Aircraft Turbine Power Plant gig. From my first day on my first ship I kept asking myself “What the #&@$ have I done! I was not unhappy with the Navy but I for sure kicked myself many times for the choice I made at MEPS! When I made FA (E-2) my LPO offered a collateral duty in Aviation Fuels Quality Control with a corresponding NEC. I could not say yes fast enough! I absolutely loved the aviation world. I made EN2 in three years, a Navy engineer who also worked in the Airdale world.

I would have been financially better off, after my time in the Navy, if I would have gone the gas turbines route. Way more opportunities, better working conditions, and better rate of return and pay than going the way I saw at the time. I grew were planted but I also forced myself into a pidgin hole. I have spent 40 years wondering how much further I could have gotten in my professional life had I listened to what the Navy was offering me at the beginning versus forcing myself into a rating that I thought was best for me.

If you want to be a Navy officer I would not enlist. Stay in school and get your degree. After your time in the Navy there will be doors that will open for you because you have a degree. Without a degree those doors will remain closed to you. You may want Nuke now but perhaps SWO, Aviation, etc. will offer you something that you will enjoy more like aviation did for me so many years ago. I agree 100% with others to grow where planted and look beyond the Nuke field. There are many paths that can be taken in our Navy.

Best of luck to you!
 
A fee random points.
“Once you graduate from college no one cares about your GPA.” Not necessarily true, mileage may vary. If you apply to a grad school they will be interested in your undergraduate GPA, some schools more than others. In my industry they DO ask for your under graduate GPA. Yes, 35 years after graduating from college I was asked to explain my low GPA. It was considered, though not a deal breaker.

Gutting it out versus staying. Sometimes people need a break from college. Going straight to college is highly encouraged but isn’t necessarily for everyone. My DD did one semester of college on an ROTC and D1 athletic scholarship. She did well at her sport, but just got burned out academically. She came home at Christmas and informed us she had dropped out and enlisted in the Army. We were… consternated.
She did well enlisted and was encouraged to apply to USMA by her chain of command. She was accepted, and did fairly well. She had matured. She is now a 1LT.
So to answer your question, no. Dropping out of ROTC does not preclude you from gaining a commission via another path.
There are many successful paths through life.
 
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