What College ROTC is like

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futremil54

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I have been curious to know what college ROTC is like being a senior in my high school's JROTC program and since I am planning on joining college ROTC upon entering college. Is it similar in any aspect to JROTC or are they both stark differences of each other. I know a former cadet who was part of my JROTC unit a couple of years ago and I asked him the same question. He told me there were similarities between the two ROTC's but I can't seem to name them off the top of my head. Maybe some of you can shed a bit of light on how both ROTC's are similar.
 
It's going to vary between services. Are you speaking of Army, Navy? In general though, I'd say there's very little resemblance.
 
Our DD just completed her first freshman semester with AROTC. This is my, her mother's, insight of semester one. Academics come first, AROTC second, always. Our DD is a nursing major. Nursing, even as a freshman, conflicts with AROTC. The cadre embrace this and adjust. The cadre care less about you being at PT the morning you have a practical at 8 am, academicas always come first, communication is the key. Obviously, if you've done well on your PT tests, that helps. PT at her school is 5 days a week, every day a different skill to keep it interesting. If it rains or snows, great, prepare for the weather! She was assigned a senior mentor, same major. Brilliant idea! This person is awesome! She will make a fantastic officer and leader! She has been a great role model for our DD. DD has a squad leader also that is squared away, always texting, advising and there for questions. AGAIN communication is the key. In this semester, DD completed water safety, did her fist FTX, repelled, climbed across a river on a rope, rode in a chinook, almost got sick in a chinook . She has learned A TON, both from AROTC and her leadership. BUT and here it goes bc the real Army is the same, THE VERY BEST THING, are the cadets that are with you!! AROTC is a huge family. They take care of each other everyday. If someone has made a bad decision, they are there! If it's your bday, they are there! If you need to work something out, they are there! Maybe she lucked into a great BN, maybe the leadership has set a great example so the upperclassmen have learned from the top, maybe it's all of the above. Study hard, ROCK ROTC and be there for your peers. No mattter where you go, you will do great!
 
ENwifeArmyMom said:
Our DD just completed her first freshman semester with AROTC. This is my, her mother's, insight of semester one. Academics come first, AROTC second, always. Our DD is a nursing major. Nursing, even as a freshman, conflicts with AROTC. The cadre embrace this and adjust. The cadre care less about you being at PT the morning you have a practical at 8 am, academicas always come first, communication is the key. Obviously, if you've done well on your PT tests, that helps. PT at her school is 5 days a week, every day a different skill to keep it interesting. If it rains or snows, great, prepare for the weather! She was assigned a senior mentor, same major. Brilliant idea! This person is awesome! She will make a fantastic officer and leader! She has been a great role model for our DD. DD has a squad leader also that is squared away, always texting, advising and there for questions. AGAIN communication is the key. In this semester, DD completed water safety, did her fist FTX, repelled, climbed across a river on a rope, rode in a chinook, almost got sick in a chinook . She has learned A TON, both from AROTC and her leadership. BUT and here it goes bc the real Army is the same, THE VERY BEST THING, are the cadets that are with you!! AROTC is a huge family. They take care of each other everyday. If someone has made a bad decision, they are there! If it's your bday, they are there! If you need to work something out, they are there! Maybe she lucked into a great BN, maybe the leadership has set a great example so the upperclassmen have learned from the top, maybe it's all of the above. Study hard, ROCK ROTC and be there for your peers. No mattter where you go, you will do great!
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Your DD's program sounds like a very solid one, do you mind saying where she is going to school?
 
My son has a JROTC kid in his unit now. One thing this kid did was to come in and come off as knowing all. He has been redirected (positive guidance, insight, and feedback) by the LT's, upperclassman, and fleet returnees on a more acceptable bearing. Don't be that person; however, you can go as a silent leader and support the other 4th class mids that might need a hand. A silent leader goes far. If you know they are doing something a little improper plant a seed of what is right and allow it to be there idea. All the best....!
 
Our son just finished his first semester of NROTC. It's tough 5-6 days of 6am pt plus nrotc classes. His battalion is very close knit. It has made the transition from high school to college much easier. He's happy at college and in his NROTC group. He's an engineering major. He has mandatory study hall and upperclassmen who assist with classes and advice with professors. He's learned a ton and even though we miss him so much we are thankful he's happy. He's happy to talk to you about his experience if you would like.
 
Ex.BT.USN said:
My son has a JROTC kid in his unit now. One thing this kid did was to come in and come off as knowing all. He has been redirected (positive guidance, insight, and feedback) by the LT's, upperclassman, and fleet returnees on a more acceptable bearing. Don't be that person; however, you can go as a silent leader and support the other 4th class mids that might need a hand. A silent leader goes far. If you know they are doing something a little improper plant a seed of what is right and allow it to be there idea. All the best....!
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I totally understand where you're coming from with what you're saying. Just because one has been in JROTC and comes into college ROTC doesn't mean that person knows everything. It's one thing to be humble and be a silent leader than to be a know-it-all and what not.
 
ENwifeArmyMom said:
Our DD just completed her first freshman semester with AROTC. This is my, her mother's, insight of semester one. Academics come first, AROTC second, always. Our DD is a nursing major. Nursing, even as a freshman, conflicts with AROTC. The cadre embrace this and adjust. The cadre care less about you being at PT the morning you have a practical at 8 am, academicas always come first, communication is the key. Obviously, if you've done well on your PT tests, that helps. PT at her school is 5 days a week, every day a different skill to keep it interesting. If it rains or snows, great, prepare for the weather! She was assigned a senior mentor, same major. Brilliant idea! This person is awesome! She will make a fantastic officer and leader! She has been a great role model for our DD. DD has a squad leader also that is squared away, always texting, advising and there for questions. AGAIN communication is the key. In this semester, DD completed water safety, did her fist FTX, repelled, climbed across a river on a rope, rode in a chinook, almost got sick in a chinook . She has learned A TON, both from AROTC and her leadership. BUT and here it goes bc the real Army is the same, THE VERY BEST THING, are the cadets that are with you!! AROTC is a huge family. They take care of each other everyday. If someone has made a bad decision, they are there! If it's your bday, they are there! If you need to work something out, they are there! Maybe she lucked into a great BN, maybe the leadership has set a great example so the upperclassmen have learned from the top, maybe it's all of the above. Study hard, ROCK ROTC and be there for your peers. No mattter where you go, you will do great!
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When you said that academics came first for your DD in her AROTC unit, that reminds me of my JROTC instructor saying "grades, grades, grades, grades" all the time. Sure it does get repetitive but it is still a very valid point, especially in college.
 
It depends on the program. I go to an SMC and the kids who did JROTC in my company say that it was "Baby sitting" compared to the environment that we are in now.
 
futremil54 said:
Is it similar in any aspect to JROTC.
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I think the only advantage one would have is being familiar with rank etc. Don't be that JROTC cadet who think he knows everything...be humble, and take down that profile pic on fb that makes you look like a third world dictator with all those ribbons and medals. ;)
 
Jrotc has little to no advantage besides knowing rank and how to turn in formation.

ROTC is split in 2 groups. People who care and people who don't. It's a lot of bs. It's a lot of stupid games. But it has its ups and downs. Labs will be fun and not fun. I honestly believe program quality in a given year is most heavily reliant on your cadre.
 
zachcleigh said:
Jrotc has little to no advantage besides knowing rank and how to turn in formation.

ROTC is split in 2 groups. People who care and people who don't. It's a lot of bs. It's a lot of stupid games. But it has its ups and downs. Labs will be fun and not fun. I honestly believe program quality in a given year is most heavily reliant on your cadre.
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^^^^
This...1000X This!

DS' internship in Stuttgart was the tipping point. He met soldiers in the real Army doing a job he could see himself doing...without that he might have been one of those cynical cadets.
 
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