Re applicant question concerning sports/ROTC

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WestCoastRefugee

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May 19, 2023
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Hi,

Although my DS will be applying for a nomination, we are already thinking it will take more than one time to gain admission. This is not to be defeatist, just a realization that we live in a very competitive district and probably need to get scores up a bit. With that being said, the school he is looking at for plan B is Div 1 (swimming) and he has the times to be on the team. He's not quite USNA swimming fast, but close enough to where he could very well be after his freshman year. The school also has Naval ROTC which he would participate in. My question is, does ROTC conflict with a winter sport? This may be school specific, but just wondering if anyone had experience with this. Also, if there is a conflict and we can only pick one, is it better to go the recruited athlete route or ROTC? I know that ROTC is an additional nomination source, however I have read that there are not that many slots (this may be incorrect info).
 
D1 athletics and NROTC will most likely conflict at some point. @GWU PNS is the resident NROTC expert, so I will defer to him. On which to prioritize, NROTC will allow DS to commission. College swimming will end after graduation. In other words, if DS does not get into USNA this time or the next time around, he will still be on his way to a commission.
 
He could also be offered a NAPS/foundation spot. Don’t discount that option as a pathway to USNA.

I would recommend that he fill out the sports recruitment questionnaire, as well. You never know!!
 
I advise students to discuss this situation with their prospective ROTC units. Campus visits should include a visit with the ROTC unit too. Your son may find another campus unit (or another service ROTC unit, like AFROTC) will be more accommodating around the sports conflict. One of my students with an NROTC scholarship found this to be true between different schools. In fact, my student plans to reapply to USNA (and other SAs) next year as a freshman. This route can be quite effective. All the best to your son on his application!
 
Usnavy2019 said:
D1 athletics and NROTC will most likely conflict at some point. @GWU PNS is the resident NROTC expert, so I will defer to him. On which to prioritize, NROTC will allow DS to commission. College swimming will end after graduation. In other words, if DS does not get into USNA this time or the next time around, he will still be on his way to a commission.
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Sports scholarships vary from university to university. But for NROTC, a Mid will have Naval Science classes 2 or 3 times per week plus a drill/lab period. He would need to check with the unit to see how flexible they can be.

I think the best way forward is to apply to both USNA and NROTC and see how that shapes up. Hos big decision is to what degree he truly wants a career as a naval officer. If the goal is to have tuition covered and then figure out a career, then I'd say pursue the swimming scholarship of that is a full ride.

If trying to get maximum flexibility, trying for a university with a smaller NROTC battalion would mean they have a little more flexibility.
 
GWU PNS said:
If the goal is to have tuition covered and then figure out a career, then I'd say pursue the swimming scholarship of that is a full ride.
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For OP, another option combined with the above (do swimming with no NROTC)…earn the degree and then apply for Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) a bit in advance of graduation (your DS would work with a Navy Officer recruiter). A word of caution, I would review the the Navy Program Authorizations (https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Community-Management/Officer/Program-Authorizations/ ) (I.e. the job DS would want to do in the Navy) since some have restrictions on the type of degrees and degree fields. This would ensure that there is (1) an understanding of what options would and wouldn’t be available or (2) DS could plan the degree in a direction that might meet his goals along with keeping some of the Navy doors open.

Edit: also made an assumption this would be for the Navy. Marine Corps has an OCS…though I’m certainly not qualified to speak on the details for that route.
 
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