USMAROTCFamily
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2013
- Messages
- 1,132
I have read many posts here about needing to have the passion to serve as an officer in the Armed Forces if you desire to apply for a ROTC Scholarship. When you enter into this program, of course, you know there will be a military commitment, but I would not take the stance that there must be this calling to the profession in order to be successful.
I will use my own experience as an example. I needed scholarship money in order to attend college without racking up a bunch of debt. I was a good student, had good test scores, was very athletic and very involved in EC's at my school. Somebody in my school suggested I apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. I had no relatives in the military and no real knowledge about the Army other than what I had seen in the movies. I got the packet of information (pre-internet days), read about the benefits and the service commitment and though, "I can do this." I did have a competitive nature, though, and thought I'd go for it.
I did get the scholarship, did very well academically, graduated with honors, and even did extremely well in ROTC. I would max my PT tests, was selected for a competitive overseas CTLT slot, got some national ROTC awards, got my top branch choice, graduated as a distinguished military graduate, was commissioned Regular Army and went on active duty immediate to be Cadre at the ROTC Basic Camp at Ft. Knox. Even through all of this, I never considered myself a "Hoo-ah" type of cadet or officer. After officer basic course, I honorable served my active duty assignment, left active duty and fulfilled the rest of my scholarship commitment in the IRR, while I began my civilian career.
Now grant it, this was almost 30 years ago that I began that journey, but the bottom line is I don't think you must go into this thinking that you absolutely want a "career" in the military. You should know what you are getting into, do the best job that you can, and be willing to fulfill your contract. Many kids begin this journey for the college money, but end up getting so much more out of it. Some people may feel that unless you felt that "being an officer in the military was the only thing that you ever dreamed of", that you don't deserve to get the scholarship and somebody more "committed" should get it, but I disagree.
I am a proud veteran, who has no regrets what-so-ever that I went the route that I did and feel that I am a better person for it. There are so many positive life skills I learned while in the Army. And I am very pro-military and encourage my kids to consider the military path.
I will use my own experience as an example. I needed scholarship money in order to attend college without racking up a bunch of debt. I was a good student, had good test scores, was very athletic and very involved in EC's at my school. Somebody in my school suggested I apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. I had no relatives in the military and no real knowledge about the Army other than what I had seen in the movies. I got the packet of information (pre-internet days), read about the benefits and the service commitment and though, "I can do this." I did have a competitive nature, though, and thought I'd go for it.
I did get the scholarship, did very well academically, graduated with honors, and even did extremely well in ROTC. I would max my PT tests, was selected for a competitive overseas CTLT slot, got some national ROTC awards, got my top branch choice, graduated as a distinguished military graduate, was commissioned Regular Army and went on active duty immediate to be Cadre at the ROTC Basic Camp at Ft. Knox. Even through all of this, I never considered myself a "Hoo-ah" type of cadet or officer. After officer basic course, I honorable served my active duty assignment, left active duty and fulfilled the rest of my scholarship commitment in the IRR, while I began my civilian career.
Now grant it, this was almost 30 years ago that I began that journey, but the bottom line is I don't think you must go into this thinking that you absolutely want a "career" in the military. You should know what you are getting into, do the best job that you can, and be willing to fulfill your contract. Many kids begin this journey for the college money, but end up getting so much more out of it. Some people may feel that unless you felt that "being an officer in the military was the only thing that you ever dreamed of", that you don't deserve to get the scholarship and somebody more "committed" should get it, but I disagree.
I am a proud veteran, who has no regrets what-so-ever that I went the route that I did and feel that I am a better person for it. There are so many positive life skills I learned while in the Army. And I am very pro-military and encourage my kids to consider the military path.