Recieved ROTC Scholarship Opportunity

[Johnnyhumble]

I posted this in the USAF Appointment thread as we are anxiously awaiting news towards his USAF appointment or USMA appointment. He applied to both schools and was listed as official candidate for both but only receive his congressional nomination to USAFA. Yesterday we were surprised when:

DS received an e-mail from his congressman today. Didn't say if he would receive an appointment but wanted to offer him an opportunity for an Army ROTC scholarship. Since West Point was his second choice, he is on cloud 9 on one hand but still waiting to hear from the AF as that is his first choice. I don't know why but we hadn't even considered this as an option till now. Still hoping to hear from USAF....

The form he had to fill out was basically giving consent to the Dept. of the Army to obtain his information for the chance to receive an Army ROTC scholarship only if he doesn't get an appointment. Total surprise to us. Son feels this is being offered to him now, (late in the game) because they do not think he will get an appointment, but nobody really knows. I told him don't worry about it, we will know everything in due time. Just a total surprise to us.

Was wondering if anyone else received this opportunity this late in the game?
What does it mean long term? Can he take an ROTC scholarship for a year and re-apply to the academies next year? I believe he can, but was wondering if anyone here had experience with this route of getting an ROTC scholarship offer with the stipulation only if no appointment is received?

 

[Falcon A]

I'm assuming your DS did not apply for an Army ROTC scholarship separately?

Seems like most years, great candidates that applied to USMA. but it is looking like USMA isn't able to offer an appointment, are offered an Army ROTC scholarship instead. (USMA and AROTC are different selection authorities, but they do talk.) Typically these are 3-yr AROTC scholarships with tuition funding starting in their sophomore year.

 

[Johnnyhumble]

Still haven't received any more information. This process is grueling for our whole family.

 

[Falcon A]

From another thread on same subject . . .

They do coordinate after the process runs its course. DD did not get an appointment last year but was 3Q'd and had a strong candidate file. Cadet Command offered her a 3 Year Scholarship even though she had nor completed her ROTC file. This happened in late May or early June. The recruiting coordinator at her ROTC detachment told her that it was common practice for West Point to share the names of the top rated individuals that are on the NWL and not offered an appointment. Of course, there are no guarantees and it was most likely because cadet command had extra scholarship funds.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...-during-the-select-process.53566/#post-526441

 

[Army Vet & WPFF]

If your DD did not receive a nomination to West Point then they will not receive an offer of appointment. They may have a very qualified file in WP Admissions view and that gets shared with Army ROTC. Army ROTC likes the vetting process of WP Admissions, so many "qualified non selects" which your DD probably is at this point, are receiving ROTC offers. I suggest that your DD reach out to their WP Admissions Field Force representative and ask for a status update of their file - that is, if your DD has not heard from WP Admissions lately. I am a member of WP Admissions Field Force in a particular mid-sized state, and we have filled about all of the slots (primary selects and qualified alternates) that we expect to get this year. For the past few weeks, many of the remaining candidate files are being closed or marked "qualified non select." Just trying to provide some help here not knowing all of your DD particulars...

 

[justdoit19]

Agree it must be a way AROTC seeks out people. DS also did not apply to army programs. Only navy and air force. After his academy congressional panel interview in November, staffer sent out an email to all stating that (paraphrasing) ‘AROTC has requested files for all, do I have your permission to forward?’

Lots of great info on ROTC route here on forums. I’m not that great at searching for stuff here but it’s here. I know our local school offers overnight visits for people considering ROTC as a route. That may be a great thing to look at doing. Also visiting and talking to them. My advice to my son if he were in your shoes would be to pursue as he could always say no. But cannot say yes if there isn’t an option to do so!! Good luck!!

And as you will see everywhere, there are MULTIPLE ways to obtain that final goal of serving as an officer.