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Comment by BunkerQB on May 11, 2009 at 12:04pm

My son graduated from a "regular" college with honors in Electrical Engineering. Somewhere along his senior year in college, he decided he wanted to serve his country. He really had no idea what he wanted to do. He thought Surface Warfare Office. His recruiter suggested nuke because EE candidates are hard to come by. In the past, graduates with EE degrees have many options in the private sector. From my recollection, his recruiter said if he had known that he wanted to be a nuke officer, he could've applied for a program which pays tuition and living expenses up to $3500 (or $4000) per month depending on circumstances. I can't remember whether the name of the program is BDCP or Academics to somethings..." in any case, there is a program that is specifically design to attract students in the technical areas and these candidates are rewarded for their background technical capabilities. My son got a signing bonus. His recruiter got a notation on his records that he was able to get a nuke (I understand all successful recruits in the nuke program enlisted or officer are prized). I think it's a win-win. For the enlisted or officer candidate, the training after serving in the Navy will come in very handy in the current job market. The energy field is the place to be. As a nation, we are losing ground in training engineers. Other countries are graduating from college higher percentage of engineers in all specialties. No matter how you cut, it simply more difficult to get a degree in electrical engineering than in sociology. My son studied hard 50 to 60 hours a week, worked in labs at midnight on a regular basis. I don't believe a sociology major work the same schedule. the Navy is in need of technical candidates. It's as simple as that. I value, respect and cherish the dedication of all our service men and women regardless of whether they enlisted right out of of high school, joined a NROTC program, got into OCS after college or after working a few years regardless of their specialty and rank in the Navy. After all, these are our sons and daughters that we are talking about. We lived in an area that is very technology oriented, one thing clear - we need to get over this "political correctness" thing of the last two decades with placing equal emphasis on all specialties; otherwise, we stand a good chance of being "owned" by other countries.
Regards,
B

Comment by Sherry James on May 10, 2009 at 9:05am

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Comment by kgrmom on May 10, 2009 at 2:39am

I'm not worried about NROTC being limiting in any way. It's Officer Training- she can go into any branch of the Navy she would like as long as she has the academics to back her up. Certain fields are obviously more demanding than others. And, just like for enlisted, there is always that "Needs of the Navy" thing hanging out there. I'm seeing what is happening with this year's seniors and there are even ways for some of them to stay back for a semester and try again to get the slot they want at a particular place. For instance there is a Sr. that really, really did not want subs and his appointment was ... of course- subs. The unit managed to get him switched over to SWO just by having him wait a few months. My daughter has told me a few times that sometimes she feels like she's the only one that went in without the intention of becoming a pilot- lol. Definitely not what she wants to do.

For someone who wants the scoop on ROTC the best place to get it would not be a walk in Navy recruiter. It would be better to call the ROTC recruiter for their area since thing are so different. As for BDCP- I had never heard of it either until I read about it here :) There is so many options I don't know how they keep them all straight.

Do any of you object if I copy and past some of your posts over to the ROTC group when there is some good info to share? We have some new mom's over there that could benefit (yay!)

Thanks- And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Comment by Diane2557 on May 7, 2009 at 1:12pm

Sandy, I'm not clear of the distinction between ROTC and BDCP. And I agree with Chris that my son (Chris, too) was not limited. After 4 years of ROTC in HS, he applied for and got a full NROTC scholarship to college. They also paid for books and a stipend. The day before graduation from college he was commissioned into the Navy as an Ensign and had already qualified for Flight School. During the 4 years in college he did "summer cruises" that took him into every branch of the Navy. But, his dream was to fly. And he worked very hard to achieve it. It wasn't a guarantee that he would get it...my son too, told me it had to do with grades and the needs of the Navy. He had one barrier ... eyesight. When he heard that the Navy would accept a certain laser surgery for eye correction, he spent his college junior spring vacation having the surgery done. He also worked to be first in his class to help ensure him got jets. I think the Navy offers lots of opportunities, but it depends on your drive and academics that helps one achieve a dream.

Comment by Diane2557 on May 6, 2009 at 1:32pm

Good luck to you Paulette. I'm a past ROTC mom ... 4 years with the high school NJROTC and 4 years in the college ROTC! Those years set a great foundation for his entry into the Navy and through API and jet training. He's now learning to fly his intended jet.

Comment by kgrmom on May 5, 2009 at 2:32pm

Thanks Leslie. - That's exactly right for those of us "in between". I'm sure we'll all be bouncing back and forth from here and there just like the yard moms :)

Comment by kgrmom on May 3, 2009 at 10:52pm

Not entirely sure what I'm doing but I did set up the ROTC group :)

Comment by kgrmom on May 3, 2009 at 2:24pm

Hi Kathy B- regarding ROTC and OCS-

The Marine options have to complete OCS at some point: either during one of their summer tours or after they graduate. The Navy ROTC kids do not. Learned that from my daughter who is kicking around the idea of switching over to marine option :)

On a another note- I've been wondering. Would it make sense to set up a group on here for ROTC? I know when I joined that was what I as looking for as my daughter isn't an office just yet. Any thoughts anyone?

Comment by Sherry James on April 25, 2009 at 1:48pm

Hi Cathy, perhaps you can check in "groups" type in bangor and you may find it. Hope this helps you.

Comment by Sherry James on April 21, 2009 at 12:13pm

Congratulations DJ!! Where does the time go? Did Winston tell you if there was there any celebration for your new LTjg? I'm sure mom has already thought of something.

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