The journey begins

J

JLur

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Jun 9, 2016
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I wanted to put this out there and thank everyone on this forum. This forum has been my go to over the last two years as I have been working towards today. This afternoon, I move into the University of Tampa on a 4 year AROTC scholarship. I would not have been able to get this point without this forum. To those that are just starting this process... work hard and the rewards will come soon enough.
 
Maintain your bearings. Congrats and good luck on your journey. Remember this when your faced with peer pressure: Take the tough right over the easy wrong! Live by it as it always pays great dividends.
 
+1 to Ex.BT.USN. Congratulations. It's a hell of a ride! Enjoy it.
 
Congratulations on your achievement!

As an MS-I, make the most of the year. Soak up the knowledge and listen to your upper class MS-III's and IV's.
Enjoy the "normal" college life but don't get too distracted.

Most of all, come back and pay it forward by sharing your experience on this forum!
 
JLur,

First of all congratulations, you're starting a great journey that will last 4 years and take you in many directions. Unlike the majority of the students at your school you will be living in two different worlds, College and ROTC, enjoy both of them. Just because you're in ROTC does not mean you have to sacrifice your college experience, you will learn to strike a balance.

AROTC-dad said:
Enjoy the "normal" college life but don't get too distracted.
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I can't agree with this more.

Both my sons were in AROTC and attended the same college. Both were in a Fraternity (I admit that not all Fraternities are created equal). My older son shared an apartment for his last two years with 3 of his Fraternity friends, not ROTC cadets. My younger son was a University Senator, and was the University Inter Fraternal Council President for one year. Both were involved in Intramural sports. My point is that you can, and should, be involved in both ROTC and College, but as was stated, don't get too distracted. There will be times you just have to say no to some college activity to focus on ROTC, as you should. Just find the right balance that works for you, keep your GPA up, make the time to work out so you have a good APFT, and make sure you participate in ROTC fully.

Each year will be different, your junior year will have much more focus on ROTC getting ready for summer training and fine tuning yourself for the OML. Senior year will allow you to have a better balance and your first two years will give you a chance to explore all that is new in college life as well as start a good foundation in ROTC.

Work hard, manage your time, and you'll have the benefits of all the college can offer.
 
Congratulations. I will however take negative side of it. After a year, if it ROTC isnt for you, it isnt a disgrace to quit. I would do a lot of soul searching before quitting, but if you continue into the second or third year and then quit, you will be on the hook for the scholarship money they gave you. I am not trying to be negative and I apologize if I sound like a downer, but only I am saying is to make sure Rotc is right for you and while having a four year ride is great and fantastic, you will be in the military after you graduate and you should want to be there. My son is in AFROTC and will commission at the end of this year. He got no money as he doesnt qualify so we never had that issue if he quit. I however have seen the number of people who have joined his detachment and how many quit for whatever reason. His roommate and his girlfriend was so gung-ho about being in the AF. When my son moved into his apartment in his second year, I saw his roommate and girlfriend preparing as they belonged the group that was working with the freshman as they were first introduced to Rotc. They were so into it. A year later, they both quit. My son belongs to Arnold Air and in order to join, they go through some crap along with some some added night training. Half the group that started never finished and made into Arnold Air. You would think they people would continue with ROTC and yet some of them also quit at some point. I would guess it is much easier with those without scholarship to quit. My point is that it isnt for everyone
 
Yip, there is a lot to be said there. My sons class started with 44, they are now down to 14. When it all began the CO said folks 44 kids just walked out that door. In 4 years there might be around 12 left. He was close with the guess.
 
My daughter and I just had this conversation. Similar to conversations I had with my kids right before tryouts for the next soccer season, beginning of a swim season, dance year etc. You get one chance between your freshman and sophomore as a scholarship recipient of having had tried it out for a whole year, get an idea of what is ahead and then choose to continue or not. At first she thought I was crazy to make her talk through it since she has not shown doubts. She starts classes Monday, and I wanted to make sure she was sure of her choice. All the conversation did do was get her more excited for her future, which makes me very happy, but always good to reflect and to make sure the path ahead is the right one.
 
Dckc88 said:
My daughter and I just had this conversation. Similar to conversations I had with my kids right before tryouts for the next soccer season, beginning of a swim season, dance year etc. You get one chance between your freshman and sophomore as a scholarship recipient of having had tried it out for a whole year, get an idea of what is ahead and then choose to continue or not. At first she thought I was crazy to make her talk through it since she has not shown doubts. She starts classes Monday, and I wanted to make sure she was sure of her choice. All the conversation did do was get her more excited for her future, which makes me very happy, but always good to reflect and to make sure the path ahead is the right one.
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I wish her and the person who started this thread good luck. My son has had a great experience at AF Rotc and has made many friends there so it is a good place to be
 
JLur said:
I wanted to put this out there and thank everyone on this forum. This forum has been my go to over the last two years as I have been working towards today. This afternoon, I move into the University of Tampa on a 4 year AROTC scholarship. I would not have been able to get this point without this forum. To those that are just starting this process... work hard and the rewards will come soon enough.
Click to expand...

Awesome - just dropped off my AFROTC student at Michigan Tech. After meeting the cadre and some of the cadets, I'm glad he has "built in" contacts with upperclassmen and university insiders. Good luck with school and ROTC.
 
DS is sort of at year one because he transferred to a in-state school from the OOS school he had first year. I say he is back to one because he has to build that connection with the unit leadership and staff. Have a couple issues still trying to get his file transferred but hopefully that will be squared away. But like last year he has made friends during activities like the transfer student 'camp' and study group but not yet in ROTC. Last year he also only had one ROTC friend, that he really wasn't able to do much with since the friend was a cross town cadet. Not having his ROTC unit being a tight unit I think can also lead to people quitting or losing their fire. It has only been a week but he has made comments that say he is more into the new unit he even is joining the Ranger Challenge which will be very good for him but he also is doing it with a 'I can be a great fit and fill a hole they have' manner not 'just for the OML points'. He is going to do Color Guard which he has been doing since HS JROTC days. He has already been in a Frat that is at his new Uni and the new unit several of the brothers are prior service and some ROTC cadets which will help more. So those are some things to think about even if you have more friends that are not ROTC still try to find the extra curricular with-in ROTC . One thing he didn't do last year I am hoping he will take 'stupid mom's' advice and like in classes you have a study group try making a daily workout group with friends in ROTC since they are going to know if you are using correct form and reality is just regular PT is NOT enough to pass your PT test. Congrats UT is a very good school I grew up in Tampa and knew a lot of guys from UT it is a tough school and you are going into a situation like MIT you definitely were a top dog in HS and so was everyone else there. Best of luck to you but also your family cause they do want the check ins call your family stay in touch at least weekly it helps them know you are okay but it helps you too in staying grounded and thinking about that balence for success.
 
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