ROTC SCHOLORSHIP vs ACADEMY SLOT

ah thank you...I understand a bit better now and why there is such stress on geographic diversity. And why geographic diversity is preferred rather than "best person for the slot" since it would make it unfair for a kid in a noncompetitive school district/congressional district, or dare I even say state, to compete on the same level with a kid from certain areas like VA/NY/CA/MA.
 
ah thank you...I understand a bit better now and why there is such stress on geographic diversity. And why geographic diversity is preferred rather than "best person for the slot" since it would make it unfair for a kid in a noncompetitive school district/congressional district, or dare I even say state, to compete on the same level with a kid from certain areas like VA/NY/CA/MA.

I believe that 175 years ago or so, it was greatly feared that the "ruling" class in the Northeast would dominate the military and impose a narrow set of values on the other regions and the frontier. The congressional districts were already in place per the Constitution to ensure equal representation, so it was a natural system to ensure a diversified warrior class.
 
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Excellent discussion and understanding IMHO going on in this thread ... the SA selection process and the ROTC national scholarship process are different...one is not better than the other ... they have different purposes ... but both end up selecting high quality people to get a college education and become officers in our military.

An ROTC scholarship typically pays tuition, and books, but the cadet is responsible for paying room and board.

The Academies pay the whole freight and have amazing opportunities for their cadets and midshipmen due to their federal funding ... an appointment to a SA is a lotto ticket ... you won the lottery ... be humble and grateful ... don’t think of yourself as “superior” ... if you do, some non-Academy grad will hand you your hat as he or she drives on by ... use the experience to prepare yourself ... the ROTC grads may not have the experiences you got at the Academy ... (SMCs come close) ... but they are driven ...
 
the ROTC grads may not have the experiences you got at the Academy ... (SMCs come close) ... but they are driven ...

Great post.

I would just add for ROTC cadets, make sure you are proactive when it comes to opportunities, don't be afraid to ask for something even if it doesn't seem to be available. My son was one to ask about almost everything. While in ROTC he spent 5 weeks in Bosnia for CULP, went to Winter Mountain Warfare School in Vermont, CDQC in Florida, Airborne, CTLT with an Armor Unit for 4 weeks at Ft. Bliss. That was just the extras with ROTC, he also took advantage of what the University had to offer, serving as school Senator for two years and President of the University IFC.

Point is, no matter where you go there are opportunities for those that seek them out and work hard, grab whatever is out there.
 
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