USNA and NROTC applications

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rojocon

5-Year Member
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My son and I have been discussing whether he needs to apply for an NROTC scholarship. His top choice for college is the USNA. He will not apply to the other service academies, although he will apply to other colleges.

What are the consequences of not applying for the NROTC scholarship as a backup plan to the USNA application (aside from not receiving the scholarship)? For example, will the MOC nomination board ask him about applying (or not applying) for the NROTC scholarship? Does the USNA admissions committee know whether an applicant applies or does not apply for the NROTC scholarship? Thanks for any replies.
 
My son's MOC was very interested in knowing what plan B was. The fact that an applicant was also applying ROTC seemed to show a commitment to serve that they liked.
 
During my MOC interviews last year they ask you how dedicated you are to becoming an officer in the US Navy/USMC, because, no offense to your son, the odds of getting into USNA are very slim. They asked me what my backup plan was in the event that I didn't get in, and I'm sure that, like Hurricane, they'll ask your son why he won't apply for the NROTC scholarship if he truly wants to serve. I'd recommend applying if he really wants to become an officer.
 
One question that a BGO is to ask each candidate is if they are also applying for a NROTC scholarship. The candidate's response is then noted (or should be noted) in the BGO report to Admissions.
 
I am probably the rarity on here that did not apply to another service academy or for an ROTC scholarship. I was asked at my MOC interview why not. My answer was simple, NROTC was not a possible option as a Division I basketball player. USNA was the school that allowed me to do both. Yes, the other service academies did allow that, but I wanted to be a Marine. I told them if I did not get into USNA I had researched other commissioning programs and would follow those paths post graduation.

Was this the right thing? For me, it was, but not the case for everyone. If your son's goal is to be a commissioned officer in the USN then apply to all possible sources to make that happen. He doesn't have to accept an NROTC scholarship if he gets one. If he doesn't make it into USNA on the first go around, he can always apply again with a year of NROTC or not behind him. His choice. At this point I wouldn't close off options and ensure to have good reasons why when he speaks to his BGO and MOCs. Those questions will be asked.
 
All representatives of the SA's and my one MOC (I live in DC) have told me to keep all of my options open. Unless he has his heart set on one particular thing (It makes no sense to apply to USMA or USAFA if he wants to do submarines), I would suggest he apply to all commissioning routes, both SA and ROTC.
 
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