ROTC Uniform for Nominations and BGO interviews?

cbasalt1

cbasalt1

USNA 27'
Joined
Mar 29, 2021
Messages
229
Hello there,

I saw somewhere that it would be a good idea to wear your ROTC uniform to your interviews.

For those of you that are familiar with navy uniforms, everyone in a NJROTC unit gets the khaki over black NSU uniform. I however, am an officer in the program, and was issued a set of SDB, which is pretty much just a nice suit with ribbons and medals etc. and a navy patch.

I am quite decorated in the program, and do think wearing my Service Dress Blues would make quite the impression, assuming it wouldn't be seen as incorrect, or excessive.

I have until next year, but I do not currently have a suit otherwise, and while I know most people go for a business casual approach, would be acquiring a suit otherwise be worthwhile?

I know that you would want to dress up for your Nom. interviews but also am aware that BGO interviews probably dont require much dressing anyway.

Please lmk if you have any experience with this or are a BGO or know admissions people and might know what would be thought of this!
 
cbasulto1 said:
Hello there,

I saw somewhere that it would be a good idea to wear your ROTC uniform to your interviews.

For those of you that are familiar with navy uniforms, everyone in a NJROTC unit gets the khaki over black NSU uniform. I however, am an officer in the program, and was issued a set of SDB, which is pretty much just a nice suit with ribbons and medals etc. and a navy patch.

I am quite decorated in the program, and do think wearing my Service Dress Blues would make quite the impression, assuming it wouldn't be seen as incorrect, or excessive.

I have until next year, but I do not currently have a suit otherwise, and while I know most people go for a business casual approach, would be acquiring a suit otherwise be worthwhile?

I know that you would want to dress up for your Nom. interviews but also am aware that BGO interviews probably dont require much dressing anyway.

Please lmk if you have any experience with this or are a BGO or know admissions people and might know what would be thought of this!
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Like any job interview, “Dress for Success.”
 
Agree with @THParent

The consensus I have observed among the BGO's, ALO's and FFR's who have posted here over the years, is that it is better to dress for a job interview than to wear your JROTC uniform. If you insist on wearing the JROTC uniform, it must be in PERFECT condition, IMMACULATE and absolutely CORRECTLY worn.

Example past posts on this topic from some long time members:

What to wear to a fitness assessment?

This upcoming weekend I have a Physical assessment for my MOC's nomination. It includes an obstacle course, push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1-mile run. It is easy for me to decide what to wear to the interview (since I'm in JROTC), however, I am a little hesitant about what to wear to this event. Are...
www.serviceacademyforums.com

What to wear to BGO interview....

In preparation for my BGO interview, I would like to treat the situation as professionally as possible and wear a coat and tie, but at the same time, I don't want to risk the chance of overdressing my BGO. What are your thoughts about what to wear?
www.serviceacademyforums.com

ALO/BGO Interview

My Blue and Gold officer just contacted me and wanted to schedule the interview required for the every candidates application, and I know it is required for the Air Force academy application as well. I had completely forgotten about this since my ALO hasn't even tried contacting me as far as I...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
You’ll probably get both wear uni/don’t wear uni advice. There are pros and cons.

This is more important: whatever you wear fits well, is clean and pressed; shoes are cleaned and shined; grooming (clean fingernails!) and haircut are impeccable; handshake is firm but not limp or paralyzing; eye contact and posture are good; waves of body spray/fragrance aren’t coming off you; you are well-slept and well-prepared. If you present well overall and look like you took time with your outward appearance and mental preparation, you’ll be fine.

Some people with go with suits, but interview panels and SA interviewers understand not everyone is in the same place financially or has a suit ready to go at a time in your life you are still growing. You can go to places such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, thrift stores such as Goodwill and find a decent navy sport coat, dress, shirt, tie (just in case). Wear with well-pressed khakis in good repair, nice belt, dress shirt, non-athletic/leisure shoes. This assumes you are male.

Your JROTC participation will be documented in your application, and you may well work references to what you have learned in that program into your responses where appropriate. If you choose uni, keep in mind your program decorations are just that, nice earned recognition for achievements in the program, but don’t expect it will have a huge, decision-altering impact on any veterans on the panel, who may not know what they mean in the JROTC program and certainly don’t equate them with active military service awards. Well done on earning them, but don’t count on that visual to blow away a panel. Do that with impressive and well-articulated responses, confidently and respectfully delivered.
 
My DS wore his AFJROTC uniform for all his interviews including his nomination boards and ALO, BGO's, etc. He won appointments to USNA, USAFA, nominations to USNA, USAFA and USMMA and won 4- year AFROTC scholarship. He is currently at USNA c/o'25
 
I say wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Some BGO’s have no personal experience with JROTC programs. And your resume should reflect your experience and successes in the program. Wearing it won’t add to your interview, and not wearing it wont take away from it, if I were interviewing you. I would listen to the seasoned BGO’s, who have done tons of interviews, here on the SAF. GREAT links posted above.

BTW, none of my boys would have worn them.
 
My DS is Battalion XO, cadet LCDR. He has A TON of "fruit salad"on his dress blues. But I would NEVER want him to wear his uniform outside of a NJROTC event. I think it is "dorky" to do so. So I say don't wear it to any interviews. But that's just my personal opinion. I am not a BGO or on a congressional nomination committee. For my DS' NROTC-MO officers interview he wore a jacket and tie with his Boy's State lapel pin, dress shoes, regulation haircut, etc.

P.S. - I find that most people don't know much about JROTC and don't necessarily give it the credit that it is due. Be prepared to explain what YOU got out of JROTC, which should be leadership experience - most importantly, among other things. As said above make sure your resume includes all your achievements both in and out of JROTC and don't forget to bring a couple of copies with you along with a note pad and pen.
 
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In 20 years as a BGO, I’ve had one person wear a uniform to an interview. If memory serves, he was a Sea Cadet. He was very impressive with or without the uniform. He received a turndown.

Wear a uniform if you want to or don’t have something better to wear, but don’t think it alone will impress anyone.
 
Devil Doc said:
I've worked in three high schools with JROTC and some of theses kids have quite the rack. Of ribbons.

Very impressive.
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If you do all four years of JROTC and participate in all activities and competitions, you will have 5 to as many as 7 rows of ribbons. All the senior leaders have a ton of ribbons and medals. But they are given them out like candy.

I find that some interviewers seem to have little interest in JROTC and the uniform probably would not impress them. The ones who do value JROTC, and may have some experience with it, will EXPECT you to have a ton of ribbons, so the uniform would probably not impress them too much either. Again, just my opinion. Be poised, polished in whatever your wear and be prepared to discuss your leadership and team competition experiences and what you got out of being in JROTC.

P.S. - In my DS's case, he has a lot of experience in caring for an wearing the NJROTC cadet uniform for inspections, drill meets, etc. He was lacking in experience in wearing a civilian coat and tie. So I got him an outfit that he wore at closing ceremonies at Boy's State and that he could also wear at college and scholarship interviews. Now he knows how he is expected to look when out of uniform too.
 
The ribbons don't come freely, but are certainly more easily attainable than in the real service, the harder ones to get are the medals which I have a couple from being on the principals list, NJROTC Navy nationals, Marksmanship Competitions and a couple organizational awards.

I guess if I want this stuff to be included I just need to make sure to work it into the conversation on my own, without the uniform lol.
 
cbasulto1 said:
The ribbons don't come freely, but are certainly more easily attainable than in the real service, the harder ones to get are the medals which I have a couple from being on the principals list, NJROTC Navy nationals, Marksmanship Competitions and a couple organizational awards.

I guess if I want this stuff to be included I just need to make sure to work it into the conversation on my own, without the uniform lol.
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This is where bringing a copy (multiple copies) of the resume is important.

There will be likely a question of what are you most proud of.

Be ready to present those honors.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
P.S. - I find that most people don't know much about JROTC and don't necessarily give it the credit that it is due. Be prepared to explain what YOU got out of JROTC, which should be leadership experience - most importantly, among other things. As said above make sure your resume includes all your achievements both in and out of JROTC and don't forget to bring a couple of copies with you along with a note pad and pen.
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Absolutely. Key for any activity you participated/led in HS. Must be able to articulate what impact you made and what impact it made on you.

Also note that DS experience most interviews (one exception with USMA rep) were virtual.

Do not forget clean shave, neat haircut and dental hygiene are key as well.
 
Admittedly, JROTC is military-related but it is a youth organized activity that has a uniform, as does CAP or Scouts, To wear a Scout uniform to such an interview would be weird (and not to mention, probably against BSA policy).
 
Our DS was able to purchase a 3 piece suit on Amazon. It fit like it was custom-tailored, and he received compliments on it everywhere he wore it.

He did wear it to nom interviews and all other interviews. He was not JRTOC.

Forum rules don't let me list the link, but it was listed as: NSBS Men's 3 piece classic tweed herringbone check slim fit.

Honestly, I was not confident in the fit or the quality but was very pleasantly surprised. I believe it was free shipping and was less than $140.00
 
As others have alluded to, being "comfortable and confident" is a key component of the interview.

All other factors being equal, a person wearing a suit who looks itchy and miserable, won't make as good of an impression as a person who looks at ease, and confident wearing a button down shirt and tie, with a nice sweater and khakis.
 
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