As another school year looms to a close & selections for all branches.
Its been very interesting reading triumphs & disappointments.
What are your thoughts in the selection process? In my personal opinion, I think the criteria is too academic heavy or academic focused.
After binge watching all of Netflix’s Episodes of “Empire Games” & “WWII in colour”, it had me thinking of past & present militaries/battles. Almost all episodes had certain things in common; innovative strategies, critical thinking, and a great leader or leaders with the loyalty of their men.
They highlighted Military Greats such as Julius Ceaser, Marcus Aurelius, Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Boudica, Winston Churchill, Patton, MacArthur. Really not so much scholars, but rather tested individuals that were either born into a setting or family, and were raised in a particular culture of walking the walk.
We all know the U.S. Military is the mightiest of the world’s militaries. Officers are leaders. What attributes make up a great officer to lead our military?
I wanted to gain a little insight into the mindset of those of the board, the roo, and pms when it comes to selection/recruiting of young high-schoolers for University ROTC. Especially when it comes to selection of winners for National/Campus based scholarships.
I know each Battalion & Branch may differ slightly from University to University but I am sure all decision makers have received similar training as to what to look for as far as recruiting, interviews, portfolios, accolades, etc from their respective branches.
Using this website forum as an example, we have seen countless student criteria’s, chances, & portfolios of potential and previous award winners, and the majorities’ trend very similar. It’s very academic heavy, 3.5 gpa & above, ACT 25-32, most participate in individual sports such as track, swimming, cross country, tennis, etc, and a few extracurricular activities such as debate or council, or boy scout.
What I don’t see as far as many criterions are top level athletes such as 3-5 star football players, basketball players, or high level wrestlers/martial art combatants. I have seen some students on these forums that have participated in these sports, but I am talking about high level/above average participants. Those who have competed or won something nationally/internationally or at a very high level. This is probably the closest we can get to a battle tested person.
Wouldn’t an elite athlete even with gpa 2.5-3.5, Act 19-25, stronger pft scores make a more effective military leader?
Here is how I see in which some of these athletes translate well into military leaders. We know football players practice regularly in harsh climate; the blistering cold, sometimes sweltering humidity, and at times rain. This translates well to any battlefield terrain & climate. Practices are very physical. They form natural leadership and camaraderie traits. Work as a team. This is years into the making.
We know that the sport of wrestling is probably the most grueling and hardest sport there is. Wrestling practices probably make basic boot camp seem like a walk in the park. They endure adversity, weight cuts, pressure in front of large crowds, mindset training, discipline, handling wins/loses. Spartan like.
These sports are like chess with physicality and situational mental pressures.
One would think these types of individuals can handle more effectively the rigors of war, or completing a mission? Less likely to be stressed, or homesick, or less hesitant to give the command to terminate the enemy or a group of enemies.
I understand these sports are not available in all Universities, but for the one that do. Is it just the interest is not there? Athletic Scholarships are so hard to come by; one would think they would embrace potential funding via ROTC.
Do the PMS feel safer with the academic heavy student? Perhaps they have to be more cognizant about their metrics such as recruiting quotas, retention stats and graduation stats?
Just respectful & friendly banter to maybe diversify.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevec...estlers-make-the-best-employees/#20e180785f88
“I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler.” - Socrates
Its been very interesting reading triumphs & disappointments.
What are your thoughts in the selection process? In my personal opinion, I think the criteria is too academic heavy or academic focused.
After binge watching all of Netflix’s Episodes of “Empire Games” & “WWII in colour”, it had me thinking of past & present militaries/battles. Almost all episodes had certain things in common; innovative strategies, critical thinking, and a great leader or leaders with the loyalty of their men.
They highlighted Military Greats such as Julius Ceaser, Marcus Aurelius, Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Boudica, Winston Churchill, Patton, MacArthur. Really not so much scholars, but rather tested individuals that were either born into a setting or family, and were raised in a particular culture of walking the walk.
We all know the U.S. Military is the mightiest of the world’s militaries. Officers are leaders. What attributes make up a great officer to lead our military?
I wanted to gain a little insight into the mindset of those of the board, the roo, and pms when it comes to selection/recruiting of young high-schoolers for University ROTC. Especially when it comes to selection of winners for National/Campus based scholarships.
I know each Battalion & Branch may differ slightly from University to University but I am sure all decision makers have received similar training as to what to look for as far as recruiting, interviews, portfolios, accolades, etc from their respective branches.
Using this website forum as an example, we have seen countless student criteria’s, chances, & portfolios of potential and previous award winners, and the majorities’ trend very similar. It’s very academic heavy, 3.5 gpa & above, ACT 25-32, most participate in individual sports such as track, swimming, cross country, tennis, etc, and a few extracurricular activities such as debate or council, or boy scout.
What I don’t see as far as many criterions are top level athletes such as 3-5 star football players, basketball players, or high level wrestlers/martial art combatants. I have seen some students on these forums that have participated in these sports, but I am talking about high level/above average participants. Those who have competed or won something nationally/internationally or at a very high level. This is probably the closest we can get to a battle tested person.
Wouldn’t an elite athlete even with gpa 2.5-3.5, Act 19-25, stronger pft scores make a more effective military leader?
Here is how I see in which some of these athletes translate well into military leaders. We know football players practice regularly in harsh climate; the blistering cold, sometimes sweltering humidity, and at times rain. This translates well to any battlefield terrain & climate. Practices are very physical. They form natural leadership and camaraderie traits. Work as a team. This is years into the making.
We know that the sport of wrestling is probably the most grueling and hardest sport there is. Wrestling practices probably make basic boot camp seem like a walk in the park. They endure adversity, weight cuts, pressure in front of large crowds, mindset training, discipline, handling wins/loses. Spartan like.
These sports are like chess with physicality and situational mental pressures.
One would think these types of individuals can handle more effectively the rigors of war, or completing a mission? Less likely to be stressed, or homesick, or less hesitant to give the command to terminate the enemy or a group of enemies.
I understand these sports are not available in all Universities, but for the one that do. Is it just the interest is not there? Athletic Scholarships are so hard to come by; one would think they would embrace potential funding via ROTC.
Do the PMS feel safer with the academic heavy student? Perhaps they have to be more cognizant about their metrics such as recruiting quotas, retention stats and graduation stats?
Just respectful & friendly banter to maybe diversify.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevec...estlers-make-the-best-employees/#20e180785f88
“I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler.” - Socrates
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