Political activities while in AROTC

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foxtail0520

USAFA '25
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I was awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship to Vandy. I'm wondering if Army ROTC cadets can join a partisan club at their school. For example, Vanderbilt has VandyGOP club which pretty much is a partisan club. Will I be able to join that? Also, during summer, is interning or working for a congressman/senator possible as an ROTC cadet? Clearly ROTC cadets aren't technically servicemembers and I'm guessing they're free to do whatever politically as long as they're not in uniforms or do anything that makes people think Army approves a certain political party.
 
It’s always tough recommending others what to do in a situation like this because for me I tend to just avoid politics all together. You shouldn’t have a problem interning at your representatives office because that’s simply an occupation and not a politician affiliation. You have to keep in mind that the people you are going to serve with are going to have varying beliefs on a variety of issues. Political disagreements are the dumbest and most petty ways of destroying a working environment. I know you probably know this, but I just wanted to say that because it’s why we are typically told to not be so outspoken about our beliefs. Like I said earlier I avoid politics all together and I just wanted to add a point because I saw no one else was responding.
 
You can join the club. I know people in NROTC, AROTC, & AFROTC who are in some sort of political club. That said, I don't recommend it. In a very fundamental way to most college students, ROTC is the military. This may sound silly to some, but the vast majority of college students don't have a personal relationship with anyone in the military (esp. at a school like Vandy). So when they see someone walking around in a real military uniform, doing color guard at football games, and working out with rubber rifles, they don't see someone in the inactive reserves, they see the military.

Now combine this with a club where the discussion is always political, and there will be people who take your views as representing the military. There's definitely a way to properly navigate those kinds of situations and make sure you're never misinterpreted/misconstrued, but it's going to be difficult. I would just think long and hard about whether you feel it's worth it.
 
We need more good Republicans and good Democrats. Just remember to keep your politics separate from your military service.

If you are very passionate about politics maybe military service is not a long time career that is best for you, but there is certainly nothing wrong with serving your country and then going into politics after you leave active duty.

The advice I give to DS who is in NJROTC is to never discuss politics with members of his unit or to reveal to them his political beliefs or party affiliation (not that he has yet developed any strong political beliefs - - he hasn’t - - but just in case he does.). Just avoid the subject.
 
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NJROTC-CC said:
We need more good Republicans and good Democrats. Just remember to keep your politics separate from your military service.

If you are very passionate about politics maybe military service is not a long time career that is best for you, but there is certainly nothing wrong with serving your country and then going into politics after you leave active duty.

The advice I give to DS who is in NJROTC is to never discuss politics with members of his unit or to reveal to them his political beliefs or party affiliation (not that he has yet developed any strong political beliefs - - he hasn’t - - but just in case he does.). Just avoid the subject.
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Is that possible these days. Look at what’s happening since the events of January 6th. People being put on ‘no fly’ lists, retired military being investigated and seeing if they can be stripped of their pensions for protesting in DC. If those individuals actually entered the Capitol I have no issues but it seems to be going much further than that.

In these days I would be ultra cautious.
 
Today, just now on the Today Show, I’m watching them highlight the people at the Capitol that are (or were) members of the military. Their faces big on the screen. Their names. Their service.

I subscribe to the ‘just because you CAN do/say something, doesn’t mean you should’ line of thinking.

Not sure the answer, but we are going through some tough, divisive times. That’s for sure.
 
Another point that I would like to make is that people will know who you are on campus. Not sure how big Vanderbilt is, but my university is quite small and I come across a lot of people who know I am in ROTC even when I am out of uniform. People will associate your face to the uniform and make assumptions about your unit based off of your actions. Maybe you should think about doing student government or get more involved with your unit instead of joining the club.
 
The problem arises when your club does something stupid (and maybe viral) and then there is guilt by association and will that reflect on the ROTC unit. As a dad of ROTC kids, and in this day and age of things going viral, I wouldn't recommend it - nrotcmid23 above laid out a good argument.
But if you're truly interested in politics, there are other options. You could join the debate team. Not only do you discuss topical issues and learn speaking skills, but there is the benefit of learning all sides of issues because you don't know which side you'll be called on to argue in a tournament. Or, take some poli-sci classes where there is class discussion. Or as fullspeedahead noted, get involved with student government or your unit, or charitable/philanthropic causes.

ADDED COMMENT: The debate club looks pretty vibrant: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/communication/debate/
 
foxtailsean said:
I was awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship to Vandy. I'm wondering if Army ROTC cadets can join a partisan club at their school. For example, Vanderbilt has VandyGOP club which pretty much is a partisan club. Will I be able to join that? Also, during summer, is interning or working for a congressman/senator possible as an ROTC cadet? Clearly ROTC cadets aren't technically servicemembers and I'm guessing they're free to do whatever politically as long as they're not in uniforms or do anything that makes people think Army approves a certain political party.
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I've advised my daughter who was awarded an ROTC scholarship to remain apolitical, especially in this day and age. With that being said, there are plenty of clubs on campuses outside of ROTC that you can join that are both social and have good causes. Ultimately, your fellow cadets/midshipmen will be able to give you some tips and may have already joined clubs that will help you have fun both in and out of ROTC.
 
I'm a political science major in NROTC; there's often a fine line to go between doing NROTC and being a regular person who is allowed to have political views. Make sure if you do join the club, you learn how to draw a fine line between them. With that said, if you want to join, I would! I've done internships for members of Congress and worked on political campaigns without any issues.
 
fullspeedahead said:
Another point that I would like to make is that people will know who you are on campus. Not sure how big Vanderbilt is, but my university is quite small and I come across a lot of people who know I am in ROTC even when I am out of uniform. People will associate your face to the uniform and make assumptions about your unit based off of your actions. Maybe you should think about doing student government or get more involved with your unit instead of joining the club.
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From the Vandy website:
Undergraduate:
  • Total: 7,057
    • Full-time: 6,983
    • Part-time: 74
Graduate and professional:
  • Total: 6,480
    • Full-time: 5,326
    • Part-time: 1,154
Total full-time students: 12,309
Total part-time students: 1,228

Total enrollment: 13,537​

 
@Devil Doc Thank you for the numbers, that’s actually a lot fewer than I expected. Goes to show that you will come come in contact with the same groups of people every day when you are in or out of uniform.
 
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