Your 1st Year in NROTC- Scholarship vs NonScholarship

[Trailblazer]

I've recently hit a major roadblock and am pretty sure I won't have a chance at recieving a NROTC scholarship (not giving up, just being realistic). I am still planning on joining the NROTC detachment at my school (Auburn) and will try to gain a scholarship during my freshman year.
However, I do have a few questions- is there a difference in the overall freshman experience between a scholarship Midshipman and non-scholarship one? I've heard from people who've done ROTC in different branches that the freshmen who already have scholarships are treated better, and that if you "screw up" academically your freshman year and are not on a scholarship, your chances at your choice commission are slim. I am a female aiming for a commission as a pilot or EOD officer, and will be studying Mechanical Engineering.
I know for a fact I will work harder than ever my freshman year if, in fact, I can't get a scholarship now, but I'm just curious as to what obsticles I might face if I'm not in advanced standing when I begin.

 

[kinnem]

Coming from the Dad of a non-scholarship midshipmen you can rest assured that all midshipmen are treated the same regardless of scholarship status. This will hold true through all of NROTC. The only exception is that non-scholarship, or more accurately non-contracted midshipmen, are not allowed to participate in summer training.

My son had the same opportunities as every other midshipman and won a scholarship during his sophomore year. If you've screwed up academically during your freshman year, scholarship or non-scholarship, you will face the same consequences. Unless you fail to meet the NROTC minimum, both will be placed on study hours.

I would say your chances at a commission as a non-scholarship midshipman might perhaps depend more on the road block you hit than anything else. You don't need to explain what it was, I only assume if its big enough to prevent you from getting a scholarship it might be big enough to prevent you from eventually contracting. Of course it might be something the Navy could care less about but of a more personal nature. You'll need to make that assessment.

 

[rocatlin]

I too am a dad of a midshipman who didn't get the Marine Option scholarship out of high school. He joined the unit as a college programmer. He was selected for the 4 year scholarship during the 1st board in November of his Freshman year. As kinnem stated, he wasn't treated differently. Although he received the "4 year" scholarship as a freshman, it didn't activate until this year -- so he was not allowed to go to CORTRAMID with his buddies.

He had at least 2 Navy option buddies in the same boat (so to speak) that also picked up scholarships.

Work hard, stay up on your classes, and make yourself into the best scholarship candidate you can be.

 

[Trailblazer]

Alright, cool! That's a relief.
My issue is more horrible timing rather than something serious. I won't be medically cleared and back in shape to perform a good PT test before the scholarship application window closes in January, but Auburn doesn't take applications for their program until March, allowing me some time to get back in shape once I've healed a bit.

 

[BLUF]

4-yr NROTC goes on Summer Cruise between Freshman and Sophomore years. CORTRAMID East or West is a 30 day exploration of the Naval opportunities to determine what you would like to do when you commission. Beware, no matter what you pick the Navy may put you where they need you regardless of your desires. the 30 days is broken down to sub week, aviation week, marine week and ship week. A lot of down time between interesting opportunities. you do not spend a week on a sub or in a plane, etc. you may experience training on flooding, and fire management, PowerPoints, beach weekends, getting gassed, shooting weapons, and other cool stuff. Other than that, you will go on summer cruises during your other years. Summer between years 2-3 spend a month with a Chief, yr. 3-4 spend a month with an O-1. Once you commission, there is no difference between a NROTC, or UNSA O-1.

 

[navymomwannabe]

One of my son's friends just got his 3-year scholarship as a 3C. He will attend COTRAMID after his sophomore year. There were even seniors in San Diego last June with my son. So you can still go if you want, it just takes the place of another cruise.

Good luck!