ROTC and Closed Universities

Herman_Snerd

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Nov 27, 2017
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Curious if there is any Information available for ROTC Participants at schools that are going virtual for the rest of the Spring semester. For those already impacted are there contingency plans? Thanks.
 
Thanks for this reply, @Montana State Army ROTC. Just to clarify the ask, my goal isn't to understand how my DS's school is handling this. In that case, fyi, yes DS had already reached out - we learned last night that decisions are not yet made on any closures, but if needed, instruction will move to online labs in lieu of class activities *if things change, and they are discussing how PT will be addressed. For those already impacted, I'm asking - how are other schools handling this? Will you participate in ROTC drilling/ PT at a school closer to home, if available? Will classroom labs also be completed via online instruction? How about weekend events like Marine/ Army overnight marches, etc. Will you join a local unit from home, if that is available to participate? I would imagine I'm not the only board participant interested in these details given recent global events - if willing, please share if info is available. Thanks.
 
My DD is an MSI at Syracuse, so I can share some of their plans. SU is transitioning to online classes through March 30th, but my suspicion is that this will be extended to the end of the semester. Stalwart Battalion (which includes cadets from Lemoyne, SUNY Oswego, and Utica) will offer online MSL instruction, and cadets are expected to continue PT on an individual basis. Leadership Labs are cancelled until further notice and other events, such as Chancellor's Review, spring JLDX at Ft. Drum, and even Comissioning will be affected if the cadets do not return to campus.

DD is preparing to bring home as many of her belongings as possible when she leaves for Spring Break this Saturday, we honestly don't expect her to return before the end of the semester.
 
Just heard from DS that they are moving to online classes for the remainder of the semester. Still waiting to hear exactly how classes and NROTC activities will work. Women in Naval Service conference they were supposed to host in a couple weeks is cancelled. I feel bad for all those who worked on organizing the event, as well as those who were planning to attend. Also for all those seniors who will miss out of the final weeks of college experiences.
 
My son's cross-affiliate campus where his NROTC is held is extending spring break and starting online classes 4/3 for three weeks. Effectively, that brings my son to the end of his semester, although his college hasn't said a word yet about going online. #stillinlimbo

Being out of state adds another factor to what this weekend or month ahead may bring if they close campus completely.

I also feel for the seniors across the country missing out on events that are now being canceled, military or otherwise. :(
 
My son's cross-affiliate campus where his NROTC is held is extending spring break and starting online classes 4/3 for three weeks. Effectively, that brings my son to the end of his semester, although his college hasn't said a word yet about going online. #stillinlimbo

Being out of state adds another factor to what this weekend or month ahead may bring if they close campus completely.

I also feel for the seniors across the country missing out on events that are now being canceled, military or otherwise. :(

Updated - LUC campus officially closing a week from today and going online with classes. Still waiting word from Cadre about NROTC.
 
Our son's NROTC Battalion is going virtual starting Monday, and students have been told to leave campus by the middle of next week until further notice. All MOD's, and in person events have been suspended, and Midn's have been advised that NSI and CORTRAMID meetings and scheduling have been suspended, so it appears that if nothing changes Summer Training for NROTC students may not occur this year. Of course, things can change rapidly depending on the reaction and containment of the virus, so lets hope that normal activities resume before the end of the school year. Right now, the University is sending everyone home and ALL classes ROTC, and University will be done via video link in real time and work submitted via electronic means. How the "labs" are to be handled is still being discussed. In FL and LA Universities are looking at virtual school for the remainder of the semester. This is probably the best course IMHO, as not being in close proximity to others, travelling, or socializing in large groups seems to be working in other countries in slowing or even stopping the spread. JMHO, but if shutting down public venues (including colleges) stops this thing, then three or four weeks of pain for long term gain is the way to go. And stopping summer training is smart, if I was permanent party on a base, post, or ship I would NOT want a large group of people from all over the country arriving not knowing their history or exposure.:)
 
My daughter's school just announced that they are no to return after Spring Break and all classes will be online. As of now, ROTC hasn't figured out what they'll be doing. It will be tough on the sophomores prepping for Field Training - but who knows if that will even happen.
 
At Washington State Univesity classes have moved online however pt and labs are still required for contracted cadets. Time to find a new hobby here in Pullman lol
 
Moc Battalion at FSC is also going online for classes and PT plan being sent home with them; those training for the 10miler will be doing something else. I'll have to suck it up and be her running partner. Fitness tests are expected upon return in mid-April. Somehow the nursing clinicals will be resumed when they get back. My DD says she will be swamped with online studies for the next few weeks. Exams won't be too far away when they get back after all this.
 
This seems to be a really fluid situation. Some schools are closing completely and going virtual for the rest of the academic year, others are doing a one month virtual school and asking students not to remain on campus. Those residents that do not have other options (foreign students, students living great distances from school, and TA's and RA's) can stay but can not eat in the dining halls, use the library, or exercise facilities and in person classes are cancelled. As far as any ROTC programs, if the host school is not open to students I think they will have a major problem (scholarship or not) requiring ANY in person participation. Right now some ROTC programs are looking at PT on the students own, online MS courses, and telephone or video contact only until the host school resumes operations. How this is going to effect summer training is anyone's guess, but I would think if this whole Covid-19 experience is not totally under control by early May, the military may not risk the exposure associated with summer training and travel associated with it. It would be a bad thing to risk Force Readiness and Operational Capabilities for training.
 
DS just got word from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott that they are extending spring break (which was this week) by another week and, upon return, going essentially 100% virtual. ROTC students will essentially be responsible for keeping up with their own PT which, for those students choosing to remain on campus (like my DS), may be limited, as the gym will probably close. At least they got their FA out of the way already in late February. Don't know how this will affect the sophomores prepping for field training, but I'm sure they will be receiving instructions soon. ERAU students have been told they may stay on campus, and dining facilities would be available, but limited. Don't know about library, but DS fully expects gym and other such places to be closed.
 
Our sons and daughters just need to be prospective Officers and do whatever they need to do to stay up to date, physically fit, and healthy! If their particular Cadre gives them the freedom of closing down, and doing virtual classes with self governed PT, then for those that do what Officers and members of the military establishment are supposed to do, this is nothing more than a "glitch" in the big picture. Hopefully things will calm down, Graduations/Commissioning Ceremonies, AND Summer Training will take place as usual. Our son has been told that Cadre Officers and Senior Enlisted, WILL be available and working either from home or in their offices. This gives them the ability to do the classes and labs, train, and stay in touch to submit/discuss anything required to progress as Officer Candidates, and hopefully things will return to normal soon, but until then as long as the Command Staff provides guidance, support, and contact ability, things should be OK going forward.
 
My DD is an MSI at Syracuse, so I can share some of their plans. SU is transitioning to online classes through March 30th, but my suspicion is that this will be extended to the end of the semester. Stalwart Battalion (which includes cadets from Lemoyne, SUNY Oswego, and Utica) will offer online MSL instruction, and cadets are expected to continue PT on an individual basis. Leadership Labs are cancelled until further notice and other events, such as Chancellor's Review, spring JLDX at Ft. Drum, and even Comissioning will be affected if the cadets do not return to campus.

DD is preparing to bring home as many of her belongings as possible when she leaves for Spring Break this Saturday, we honestly don't expect her to return before the end of the semester.


Same for my daughter's school/Battalion (University of San Francisco). Spring break was this week; she is coming home tomorrow and bringing home belongings as well. Hoping that Commissioning (and graduation :) ) will not be impacted; I've booked flights for her grandmother as well as an air bnb. Fortunately, I bought the insurance on her flights and the lodging, in case things are affected.
 
My AROTC kid has already returned home since their school is going online but will be required to attend their MSII class live online...fortunately they had no summer training scheduled.

My other kid (graduated/commissioned last May) now is mustering outside every morning instead of packing 200+ people into one room.
 
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