Question about NROTC and AROTC

[engineer05]

I was just curious if the NROTC and AROTC are similar to AFROTC where a scholarship winner could be cut after 2 years if not selected for field training? Or is it pretty much a given that as long as you meet all of the requirements you will get to continue in the program and commission upon graduation? My son really wants to join AFROTC but I am wondering if he should focus more on AROTC or NROTC due to the chance of getting cut after 2 years.

 

[EJF]

Army is falling short on their recruiting goals currently. There are minimum standards you have to meet of course, but their needs are greater at this time, so from my perspective it seems like an AROTC cadet that’s doing what they are expected, should be able to remain in the program and move on to commissioning without the fear of being cut after year two. My son is a current MS1 and there’s been no mention of anyone being cut.

 

[EEBTTF]

I was just curious if the NROTC and AROTC are similar to AFROTC where a scholarship winner could be cut after 2 years if not selected for field training? Or is it pretty much a given that as long as you meet all of the requirements you will get to continue in the program and commission upon graduation? My son really wants to join AFROTC but I am wondering if he should focus more on AROTC or NROTC due to the chance of getting cut after 2 years.

AROTC and NROTC do not have the same field training requirements as AFROTC. There is required summer training for both, but there is not a cut phase like in AFROTC.

 

[kinnem]

+1 to above comments. For NROTC MO one must pass OCS the summer of rising senior year. If you're not fit enough to attend based on your PFT score, and you don't screw up extremely badly during OCS you'll be good. I knew a kid who took a swing at a Sgt Instructor during OCS. He was gone within hours. By this point in NROTC MO there should be no reason to not be fit enough to attend, except for injury. I know injured top performers who were allowed to attend OCS the following summer, after graduation.

So there is always a chance to be cut for performance, or for poor academics, etc. But these are all things in your control. Just perform well and don't do anything stupid; and you'll be fine.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

My son really wants to join AFROTC but I am wondering if he should focus more on AROTC or NROTC due to the chance of getting cut after 2 years.

So I edited your post up here to highlight what caught my eye. People will frequently overlook a key component in the application process, which is "propensity to serve." If you son truly desires Air Force over the others, then that is likely to show through, either in his written essays or during his interview. I have actually had applicants tell me that the Navy was their third choice, but either mother or father or a close friend told them they should try the Navy for one reason or another. I appreciate their honesty, but it tells me that when they meet a stressful situation in their ROTC program, they will wish they had gone with their heart rather than with someone else's prodding them in a different direction.

While the Air Force may not be having the retention issues of Army or Navy, they also don't want to have a high attrition rate either. So if a person is working hard and showing their interest in the program, I would not be so concerned about getting cut at a 2 year point. Someone here from the Air Force side might have a different view, but if that's what he really wants, I would be hesitant to discourage that.

 

[MidCakePa]

My son really wants to join AFROTC but I am wondering if he should focus more on AROTC or NROTC due to the chance of getting cut after 2 years.

Adding to what @GWU PNS says: Your son should select the branch in which he best fits, not the one with the smaller chance of being “cut.” If his heart isn’t in the Army or Navy, then his chances of faltering and/or failing might be even greater — never mind “getting cut.” If he’s pursuing the commission that he really wants, his desire to push through hard times should be greater. To borrow a sports analogy: Play to win, not to not lose.

 

[glen]

So, agree mostly with what advice has been offered. However, just reviewing what happened a year ago when Air Force cut ~ 1,000 cadets - many of whom were performing well academically and in their ROTC classes and labs - due to some calculus used in their personnel manning charts, be aware of that. It could happen with Army or Navy too, but the AFROTC program has that recent experience. Having that as a caution, I have also read elsewhere that for those not on scholarship that are performing well and are selected for Field Training the vast majority are being approved for 2 year scholarships as Advanced Standing cadets. So that is a positive development.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

So, agree mostly with what advice has been offered. However, just reviewing what happened a year ago when Air Force cut ~ 1,000 cadets - many of whom were performing well academically and in their ROTC classes and labs - due to some calculus used in their personnel manning charts, be aware of that. It could happen with Army or Navy too, but the AFROTC program has that recent experience. Having that as a caution, I have also read elsewhere that for those not on scholarship that are performing well and are selected for Field Training the vast majority are being approved for 2 year scholarships as Advanced Standing cadets. So that is a positive development.

The biggest win for the Navy nuclear program was the Air Force decision to cut so many cadets. We turned on our nuclear vacuum cleaner and praised the heavens.

 

[EJF]

I would encourage him to do his research on each branch. Each offers many career opportunities. Each offers different scholarship programs and programs on campus. He may have his heart set on one now, but there’s nothing wrong with exploring all his options. Sometimes the desire to serve is not necessarily specific to one branch and sometimes it is.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

I was just curious if the NROTC and AROTC are similar to AFROTC where a scholarship winner could be cut after 2 years if not selected for field training? Or is it pretty much a given that as long as you meet all of the requirements you will get to continue in the program and commission upon graduation? My son really wants to join AFROTC but I am wondering if he should focus more on AROTC or NROTC due to the chance of getting cut after 2 years.

Great posts above. I agree that you go after the program you have a passion for, but it is good to know the risks. With AFROTC, you can have done nothing "wrong" but not be invited to field training and to continue toward commissioning. For the other branches that outcome is more edge case than typical - you hear of an overzealous sophomoric 2/c or 3/c midshipman "riding" a particular 4/c until they quit seemingly for sport or a power trip. You hear of cadets getting a "halo" and in a sense marked for attention/ criticality. For all branches, you must maintain standards - there are trainees who start but do not make it through. A current example is a group of 188 trainees started on day 1 in August of 2019 in one unit of NROTC - here we are 4 years later and the class of 2023 is commissioning about 42 of them. Another 10 or so will take a 5th year then commission, but it's a process in each branch where there are no guarantees. Air Force had over 300 start in August of 2019 and less than 60 will commission though many of those were "I'll try it" programmers which is expected. that AF group also included that group who simply wasn't invited to field training and were stunned/ disappointed.

I do think the AF unceremoniously cutting people who have great GPAs, solid evals is rough. I was relieved my son didn't accept an AFROTC scholarship, in part for this reason. It's a tangible risk. The goal is to commission and serve not 2 free years of school. That risk awareness should I think make you interested to learn more about all branches at a minimum. You should research not only your dream job but other roles you may be asked to serve and see which branch is the best fit.