Should the internet be my first source of advice.

[afdcfg]

I really don't have anybody in person who knows much about ROTC. Is it really a good idea to have internetforums/reddit as you first source of advice?

 

[Capt MJ]

I really don't have anybody in person who knows much about ROTC. Is it really a good idea to have internetforums/reddit as you first source of advice?

No, it should be official ROTC websites, a primary source. You can take the initiative to research the service ROTC websites, individual college unit websites, get on the phone and exercise your multi-channel communications skills and call a unit and ask for the recruiting officer, or coordinate a campus visit.

Forums such as SAF, which are well-moderated, can provide invaluable insights and practical advice, if read with a discerning eye.

 

[NavyHoops]

Your primary source or info should be the respective service ROTC website. I would also leverage any ROTC unit sites as they are usually well managed and detail the process, but also give the student/cadet (Mid) perspective. Also, Battalion run social media sites can also help provide what daily life is like, training opportunities and also other activities. This forum (I might be biased!) is also a great resource. We do our best to moderate the site.l and we also have PMSs and other ROTC leadership on here who provide wonderful information.

 

[Lambda]

No, it should be official ROTC websites, a primary source. You can take the initiative to research the service ROTC websites, individual college unit websites, get on the phone and exercise your multi-channel communications skills and call a unit and ask for the recruiting officer, or coordinate a campus visit.

Forums such as SAF, which are well-moderated, can provide invaluable insights and practical advice, if read with a discerning eye.

What Capt MJ wrote is absolutely correct. I also highly recommend reaching out to the recruiting officers via phone and email. It might take some time to get into contact with them, so be persistent. I know that some of the larger programs tend to have a lot of interest, so they might take more time to get to your request for a meeting. You could even theoretically talk to a recruiter at a school you are interested in that is far away, thanks to zoom. Personally, I would favor the local ROTC units as face to face interaction is what I prefer, but the zoom meetings were still very helpful

 

[VisionofConflux]

To reiterate what everyone has said, and from my own personal experience, recruiting officers(ROO) are a source of a TON of information pertaining to ROTC(of their respective service), and reaching out to them(I found it best in-person as well) will help you out a lot.