What Looks Better on Application

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aquaman8173

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Aug 16, 2018
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Would it hurt me to not complete my NJROTC program during my senior year? I really want to do an internship that has come up. It is doing GIS work for my local city government, This would be my 2nd internship and it's in the field of study I plan to continue in college. I did my first 10 week internship as a sophomore.

I am applying for AROTC and NROTC-MO
 
Just one man's two cents and I'm sure others will have different opinions. Actually I'm not going to give you an opinion, but just a few things to think about.
1. Do you think the ROTC programs are looking for someone who does something just to check a box?
2. Certainly the discipline to stick with something would be a plus.
3. If you plan on majoring in this field in college, what exactly do you gain from the internship that you wouldn't be able to do in college or after your military commitment.
4. It's always important to do what it is you want to do, otherwise what's the point of things?
You're the person who has to wrestle with this decision and you will be balancing life goals in the process of making it. (BTW, good topic for an essay)
 
yea this is a struggle for me. You bring up very valid questions. The internship definitely would not be just to check a box. I really like doing GIS work and the more experience I gather now the more prepared I think I will be to be a better student in college. I truly believe that the experience and knowledge I gain and have gained from these internships is invaluable to me.

My NJROTC unit has turned into a television drama show that I just want to separate myself from. I think I am going to still be a part of the unit even though I am not taking my 3rd Naval Science class.

Never thought about this decision and incorporating it into an essay. Thank you!
 
aquaman8173 said:
The internship definitely would not be just to check a box. I really like doing GIS work and the more experience I gather now the more prepared I think I will be to be a better student in college. I truly believe that the experience and knowledge I gain and have gained from these internships is invaluable to me.

My NJROTC unit has turned into a television drama show that I just want to separate myself from. I think I am going to still be a part of the unit even though I am not taking my 3rd Naval Science class.
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It seems to me you've answered your own question. In my personal opinion, you're better off doing the thing you're passionate about. You're not dropping JROTC for no reason, rather you're replacing it with something that you believe will offer you more value.
 
The great thing about diffficult decisions is that they let you define who you want to be. Although, from what you wrote, this decision doesn’t sound that difficult. Life is short, do what makes you happy.
 
Just a thought... might there be a middle way? A step back from jr ROTC ( and its drama) and into a great opp? In scouts, we often found a way for a boy to broaden himself without making a clean break.

It reflects a mature consideration of the many great opportunities outstanding young women and men find themselves having to choose amongst. And the kind of real-life choices and creative options adults have to make every day.

Consider your unit's interests. It wants members. They want you to succeed and develop. Your participation in a local gov internship reflects well on them and you.
Consider your interests: experience, consistency in resume.
This is a negotiation, but not a difficult one. I think there is a nice overlap of interests.
This is definitely a potential essay topic.
 
i am guessing tho his school schedule requires him to choose JROTC or internship, hence the dilema
 
@jaglvr Agreed. What I'm trying to suggest is that often times its possible to do two things at once. Having a (10 wk?) internship ought not completely close out other opportunities. This is the kind of "problem" that school admins, enrichment leaders, adults working with kids want to help young adults solve.

At a minimum, I would ask my son what he's done to create a compromise that enables good grades, continued exposure to military service and gaining experience in his current field of interest.
 
aquaman8173 said:
The internship definitely would not be just to check a box.
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Actually, I was thinking of participation in JROTC to be checking a box (I don't think there is an actual box for it, but...). If you would be leaving it for something you're passionate about (as you intend) then it would be percieved differently than just "dropping it", This is especially true if you at least attempt a way to do both.

BTW, drama exists everywhere in life. You need to learn to deal with it. DS had a rough time with his first CO when he hit the fleet, but he did what he had to do to excel and earn his way to a different and better slot. He's a happy camper now.
 
I agree with everything that has been said so far. Perhaps you could learn more from doing something new (internship) than from doing something you have already done (NJROTC) just a bit longer.

This is a good problem to have; others wouldn't even consider doing either of those things. Either option you choose, it is something you can talk about in essays/interviews, too.
 
I also see lots of good council above. If this were my son, and he came to me and posed the question the OP posed, my advice would be this. Do a pro and con analysis on paper, a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threat analysis) on each option. Sometimes putting it all down on paper helps. Which column is weighted more heavily in the positive category?

In all reality, you will make the best decision for you. There are too many variables in the admissions process to make this decision and think it will be the reason your app is favorable or not.

Make the best decision for you, and be prepared to explain your reasoning. It is a great essay topic to write about. It may be an interview question-- have an honest answer and deliver it well.

Good leaders have to weigh decisions and then make the call. Being able to explain your decision is a great skill and one you need to be able to articulate; both now in essays/interviews and later, if an when you become and officer and are responsible for fellow service members; their lives and the equipment you are entrusted with.
 
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Which position/scenario would allow you to work with a (diverse) group of people and lead them/a project? IMO, that’s super important. It will give you something to write and talk about in essays and interviews. Participation....yawn. LEAD, now you’re talkin’. If you aren’t leading in the internship but feel strongly about doing it, come up with something else you CAN lead others to accomplish. Then you might have the magic combo.
 
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