USMMA - NROTC - Plan C: ‘what ifs’

[SunnyDays365]

DD is confident in her decision to attend USMMA, and unless something tragic happens, she’ll be there in July. However, it’s the possibility of something tragic (injury, accident) that has me researching the forums. I see than some have suggested a deposit at Plan B school. If DD’s Plan B is a NROTC scholarship school, I’m assuming the accident/injury would also disqualify her there, or at minimum lose the scholarship. My questions…Is this a case where we should skip over Plan B and actually tend to Plan C (state university) as backup? Is there a situation that could disqualify a student from USMMA but not NJROTC? I would think medical/accident would have the same implications at both institutions.

Also while I have your ear, I’ve read that she should not relinquish NROTC scholarship until just before NSI. Is there a reason to maintain NROTC process if accepting an appointment? Her heart is already at KP.

Many thanks for the insight!
*I know not to double commit to schools within proper notification.

 

[kpmom2013]

DD is confident in her decision to attend USMMA, and unless something tragic happens, she’ll be there in July. However, it’s the possibility of something tragic (injury, accident) that has me researching the forums. I see than some have suggested a deposit at Plan B school. If DD’s Plan B is a NROTC scholarship school, I’m assuming the accident/injury would also disqualify her there, or at minimum lose the scholarship. My questions…Is this a case where we should skip over Plan B and actually tend to Plan C (state university) as backup? Is there a situation that could disqualify a student from USMMA but not NJROTC? I would think medical/accident would have the same implications at both institutions.

Also while I have your ear, I’ve read that she should not relinquish NROTC scholarship until just before NSI. Is there a reason to maintain NROTC process if accepting an appointment? Her heart is already at KP.

Many thanks for the insight!
*I know not to double commit to schools within proper notification.

Everyone has to find their own path on this question. If DD is DQ'd from USMMA due to an injury, she would also be DQ'd for her NROTC scholarship. If her heart is set on USMMA, I would let the scholarship go which is what both my USMMA kids did. Others will tell you to hold on in case your DD has a change of heart during INDOC. Your DD has to do what feels right for her.

 

[sasmc]

My mid got hurt during indoc. Was very iffy if they were going to be able to complete it. There is a difference I believe in not finishing indoc and possibly being set back vs having some additional time to heal from a non disqualifying injury and continuing at another school on your ROTC scholarship. Personally I was glad we had plan b & c in place just in case.

 

[Soldierhope2005]

My mid got hurt during indoc. Was very iffy if they were going to be able to complete it. There is a difference I believe in not finishing indoc and possibly being set back vs having some additional time to heal from a non disqualifying injury and continuing at another school on your ROTC scholarship. Personally I was glad we had plan b & c in place just in case.

Did your child completed Indoc? What happens if mild injury happens? My son refused to accept 4 years ROTC scholarship because he thinks it’s not fair to other kids who are still waiting for it. We had all plans set up and he only accepted USMMA. Very worried mom here.

 

[kpmom2013]

As long as your DS makes it through the gates at INDOC, they will do everything they can to keep him there if he is injured. The main exception is if he will need surgery or extremely lengthy physical therapy. These plebe candidates are young and strong and athletic and the chances of serious injury are pretty small. Save most of your worrying for later on when there will be much more to worry about.

 

[Stars&Stripes]

As long as your DS makes it through the gates at INDOC, they will do everything they can to keep him there if he is injured. The main exception is if he will need surgery or extremely lengthy physical therapy. These plebe candidates are young and strong and athletic and the chances of serious injury are pretty small. Save most of your worrying for later on when there will be much more to worry about.

Definitely had this happen to our plebe last year - She broke her bone (called a boxers brake?) on her hand right below the pinkie finger on Indoc day right before lunch! We were still there and had NO idea. She had no idea she broke it cause she did not want to call attention at all. She pushed thru the pain, carried her plastic Rubbermaid tote, etc the entire day. EMT goes and checks plebes at night and she mentioned/they noticed her hand. They gave her ice and said go to medical tomorrow if hurt. She went in morning. They sent her to hospital Sat and it certainly was a clean brake. They gave her an option - surgery with pin or put it in a cast. As parents, we knew nothing of this other than noticing NO pictures of her anywhere on the Indoc pictures. We were definitely not understanding why she could not be found. We finally were contacted by her amazing Coach on Tuesday! He had heard thru other teammates about her broken hand and reached out to her and then asked if he could let us know. She said yes - that was how we heard about what was going on. She wasn't in pictures because she was being treated and had appointments. Won't lie - stressful wondering if she could stay. But she completed all she could and got the marks she needed and happy to say she is still Class of 2026. KP did everything in their power to keep her even though her injury was just 4 hours after reporting. Injury occurred during a drill in the residents hall. Not entirely sure the full details but with alot of Hustling, running, yelling from upperclassmen around in the halls - her hand somehow got wedged in-between a doorframe and snapped.

We have a son, Class of 2027...so we are already saying - don't do what your sister did!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Our DD just turned down her offers for her "Plan B" schools. She had the option of a 1 year deferral at her Plan B school but decided that if she got kicked out kicked out for some reason than she would likely need time at home to take inventory of what happened before going off to another 4 year school. The school that is local to where we are moving has USAF ROTC and rolling admissions and that was a good enough plan for her.

 

[sasmc]

Did your child completed Indoc? What happens if mild injury happens? My son refused to accept 4 years ROTC scholarship because he thinks it’s not fair to other kids who are still waiting for it. We had all plans set up and he only accepted USMMA. Very worried mom here.

Indoc was completed. Was briefly able to get out of doing certain activities and then pushed through a great deal of pain to meet all of the requirements.
Agree with Stars&Stripes about not knowing what happened due to the no phone policy for plebes and not see them in any pictures.

 

[KPEngineer]

There is always a large number of "walking wounded" during indoc and beyond. Basically as long as you can go to class you will be able to continue. I lived in the infirmary for several weeks my 3/C year and spent 6 months in a knee brace my first 1/C year. Other than skipping musters it really didn't impact me much.

I don't know how it works today but I know of at least one person in the past who was allowed to stay and earn a degree even with a disqualifying injury because the injury happened while at KP. He graduated with no commission, no license and no obligation but was allowed to continue and earn the degree. At least that was the rumor mill.

 

[cmakin]

Indoc was completed. Was briefly able to get out of doing certain activities and then pushed through a great deal of pain to meet all of the requirements.
Agree with Stars&Stripes about not knowing what happened due to the no phone policy for plebes and not see them in any pictures.

As an old timer, before the Internet, cell phones and the like, other than a once weekly phone call (on a pay phone, collect) my parents had little information about how I was doing. I am not even sure I have ever seen a picture of myself from Indoc. Maybe in one of the old yearbooks if I looked hard enough. . . .