NROTC ADVICE

[Lynda Garron]

Hello Moms, I have a senior in high school who has signed the delayed entry program and is struggeling with the decision of whether to go to school or to go enlisted. We his parents think he should do the application and see if he gets excepted and if he does, go to school. We're looking at U-Maine on 11/3, and Worcester State later in Nov. Our advice to him is you'll never regret the college education and you can then go in as an officer. I would love to talk to some mons who have children doing the ROTC program, anyone out there? Lynda Garron

[Paul's Mom...Terri]

Hi Lynda. When my son was in NJROTC he went into the delayed entry program as well. The Master Chief in charge of the ROTC program at his school and I both encouraged him to apply to college and then go in to the Navy as an officer. Because of his outstanding scores on the ASVAP his recruiter told him that he could go into the Navy and become a Nuke. After all of his "nuke" training he would only be a few credits away from a BA and that he could complete those credits at a local college or a college online. Then if he wanted to he could apply for the officer program. My best advice would be to talk with the recruiter and your son. Get your son's NJROTC instructors imput as well. College isn't for everyone. I work with at risk youth in our local high school. I do advocte for certain students that the military is a good way to get some life experience as well as job experience.

[Lynda Garron]

Thank you for replying I'm very new to this, I'm not sure what NJROTC is not sure what the J stands for. And what is nuke, my son speaks of seals which I'm told is extreamly difficult to do, or swick? he also said if he goes and becomes an officer and gets his degree he can not do the seal program? Over whelmed and stressed with all this!! Lynda

[Linda H]

J stands for Junior ROTC and is taguth in some high school

Nuke - Nuclear Engineer, usually running the nuclear reactor in a sub or a ship.............

[JacquieKSMM3]

Lynda, I agree with Paul's mom you need to throughly discuss it with your son and his recruiter and find out all the information out there. My son is now in Navy Bootcamp scheduled to grad. 11/07/2008. We was in the DEP program and struggled with the choice of College ROTC or Enlisting also. My son's recruiters walked him through the ROTC Scholarship Application but told him that very few High School Graduates are excepted. If you enlist first and then after A school apply for a ROTC program it increases your chances greatly. My Son is going into Nuclear Engineering program. His recruiters told him that after NF A school he feels that this career field is not a feasable goal for him or if he is just really struggleing to make it through and the A school instructors are in agreement with him. He will then have the opportunity to join an ROTC program at the College of his choice or apply to the Naval Academy. Their comment was that once your are enlisted the Navy then knows you are committed. Hope this info might help. They also told my son that a FULL ride Scholarship to any 4yr University is one of the undisputed ways to be discharged from the DEP program. So I would encourage him to continue applying to colleges while in the DEP program and see what his opportunities are.

[Lynda Garron]

I have some questions for you Jacquie you seem to have had a similar experience than I'm having. Not sure what you mean by "after A school" Where is he going into the Nuc. Engineering program? Is this through the Navy? and what is NF A ? I do get the committed part thats understandable. But when do they get to go for their college education? after the 4 yr commitment?
sorry to sound so stupid?. Lynda

[Susanne]

Two newbie questions...What is NF A school? What is DEP?

[Navy Dad Mark]

My son graduated from college with his bachelors degree and then enlisted.

Althougha college degree does not qualify you to enter the Navy as an officer, it certainly is a big boost towards that goal, as well as giving you a big-time edge over the younger, less-educated kids. My son scored much higher on his entry tests, which placed him into a higher-level group in bootcamp. He was placed into the medical track and scored much higher than the younger high school grads in his classes. Now he is studying in Virginia to become an Optician Technician!

One other item to consider...high school kids enter the Navy and have not yet sowed their oats...i.e. drinking, partying, girls, etc. Since my son already had four years of that in college, he was ready to focus on his Navy duties instead of trying to get drunk every night. He also has more emotional stability than the younger kids without college.

So...college first definitely is working out well for my son. Good luck with your son...either way he will do well!

[Colleen aka seansmom]

I agree with you on most of your points but NOT all high school kids are going to sow their oats as you put it . Please don't think I am being ugly about what you said just making another point thats all. I am not dumb enough to think it can't happen to my Son but at this point in his 19 yrs he doesnt want to play the Games he wants something real to make alife for himself . Also what makes having gone to college more emotionally stable for ppl? My husband and I didn't go and we are not unstable??lol anyway just making another point thats all not picking a fight :)

[Paula]

My son went in as enlisted and says he will remain that way for two years then go to OT . He wants to know the feeling of both sides. My cousins all did that one is a 1star general and the other a Major in the army.

Good Luck.

[Lynda Garron]

how does this work, when you are enlisted? Are'nt you working 8-10 hours a day, how do the classes fit into the day? and is this also a college BA? or becoming an officer? new to this? Lynda

[Lynda Garron]

sounds great, sounds possitive. Thanks I needed to hear something possitive. Lynda

[Christopher Torres]

Lynda,
I was on thsi webpage in order to send the link to my mother. I am currently a NROTC Instructor and Recruiting Officer for the University of New Mexico NROTC. I can tell you that ROTC units can get students out of their DEP contracts, and we've done it plenty of times (twice this week for two of my Midshipmen). College education is the best way to go. I was a product of NROTC out of Holy Cross, and it was the best deal in the world...Hope this helps.
LT Chris Torres, USN