NROTC and the USNA- moved the topic up here

[kgrmom]

I wanted to try to move this discussion up here since it might be easier to sort out. Under "discussions" you can reply directly to a topic where under comments it's more general. :)
BUT- I don't know how to move Holly and Linda's comments up here (at least not yet).

I was worried about this same thing too. Kara had a nomination, like Linda's son, and it is so hard after they work for so long on that application process to not get an appointment- regardless of the reason. My daughter didn't find out until the middle of May last year. It was an agonizing wait. By then we had sent in our deposit to RPI but she had not signed up for ROTC. She didn't do that until late July and she went in as a college programmer- which basically means without a scholarship. Like Linda's comment too- she was crushed about USNA because she was so sure that that was where she was meant to be - but I have to tell you that it was not very long before she really settled in to NROTC. So much so that she did not even give reapplying to the academy serious consideration.

She's happy, comfortable, living the life of a "mostly normal" college student, can come home without asking permission and I can go see her without asking permission (I LOVE that part). They are a very active unit so they are no slouches- they work hard so she gets her fill of "military". And the Navy pays for it all (since now she does have a scholarship). I'm trying to figure out just why anyone would think this is 2nd best ! !

[SusanW]

Hi Paulette,

I'll respond to your question about my son's NROTC situation here. It appears that my son will be the only student in any ROTC program at his small liberal arts college. According to the admissions staff, there is one National Guard member (currently in Iraq) who is a student as well. I have to admit that I was a little worried when I read about some demostrations that students from his college recently staged at the local military recruiting offices, but I guess that can happen anywhere. We're just trying to stay positive and wait to see how it all works out. On the up side, son is excited that he gets to take a car to school (so that he can get to his unit) and thinks that it is pretty neat that he will know students from three different schools in Minneapolis.

Looking back, I wish that we had been savy enough to investigate the make-up of the units when son prioritized his schools on his NRTOC application. At that time it all seemed like such a long-shot - he is a tier 3 major - that we didn't really think about.

[NavymomBarb]

My daughter also considered the Academy. She has excellent grades, is an athlete (has been swimming competitively since she was 8), and has wanted to be a Naval Aviator since she was 12. We even went to visit the Academy. But when she realized that she would not be able to come and go as she pleased and that there were very few women there (amoung other drawbacks), she decided a little more normal college plan was for her. I hope it all works for her when she gets there! Her NROTC unit has about 200 members between three schools... so it will be a little different than Susan's son's experience. Good luck to all these future leaders. Barb

[SusanW]

NavymomBarb, I think that there will be 50 - 75 students in my son's unit, but he'll be the only one from his cross-town affiliate LAC. About 60% come from the large public flagship and the rest from a medium size private university nearby. So...while he won't get to room with a fellow ROTC student, he will have peers - jut five miles away rather than at his school.

[kgrmom]

Susan- Even though my daughter was on campus with her unit she did not end up rooming with any NROTC student. In fact she didn't end up rooming with any ROTC student from any branch. She got one of the "oddest" roommates out there. Let us just say that
1. It was a very poor match
2. Thank heavens it was only for a year and it's almost over- phew!

I'm sure your son will be just fine. He'll be spending lots of time with them either way!-
Paulette

[Linda H]

My son also chose not to reapply, despite repeated encouragment from "insiders". He did all the paperwork again, but stopped right before the boards. He felt that there was no reason to start all over again (Annapolis does not accept any transfer credit). If they didn't want him the first time, it wasn't worth it. Why waste a year of his life and start all over? We are all very happy with ROTC and thankful that he did NOT go to USNA. I know we don't want to "badmouth" any part of the Navy...........but I honestly don't want any child to feel like he missed out on something by not going to USNA. They are totally different opportunities and wonderful things that ROTC kids can do, that USNA kids can not do, like go to Brazil to work in an orphanage over spring break (my son organized a trip to do this last year with 10 of his friends), have most of the summer off, have some normal college experience, have a car at school...........lots of things. ROTC rocks!

[VTnavymom]

Hi, NROTC moms,
My son is a junior majoring in engineering at Virginia Tech, where he is also a member of the Corps of Cadets. His first choice was USNA. My father was class of '60 and from the time my son was 12, he wanted to go to Navy and fly jets. He was extremely disappointed that he did not get into Navy (excellent grades, athletics, great leadership experience, and an Eagle Scout to boot) BUT he has really loved VT and being part of that environment. He not only has opportunities for service and leadership in NROTC, he has them in the Corps organization. He's been in the regimental band and will be the 3rd Battalion commander for fall semester. (I also think there is something to be said for a "small pond" environment - as in "a big fish in a small pond." - at Navy, his leadership opportunities may have been limited. He's part of a 700 member Corps of Cadets as opposed to a 4000-5000 member brigade.) As a part of a civilian university, he has some of the benefits of not going to a service academy, but he gets the military aspect as well. NROTC has paid for tuition and most of his books. VTCC scholarships have paid for his room. His NROTC stipend and cruise pay have given him some fun money and have helped pay for his triathlon entry fees (he is part of the VT Tri club). All in all, he ended up in the right place for him. Incidentally, my husband is a retired Navy commander who went through Georgia Tech on an NROTC scholarship. Some of our best friends are USNA grads, and some of our son's friends are at Navy now. What really matters is that they get a great education and excellent leadership training before they hit the field/ship/air!

[NavyMomNancy]

Hello everyone.

I'm new to this board, although I should have joined a long time ago as my oldest daughter whose 23 has been enlisted in the Navy since since she graduated (2004). She and her Navy husband are stationed in Norfolk along with my 3 year old granddaughter. She is a nuke, stationed on the Enterprise.

My 18 YO daughter will be a freshman in the fall and attending Purdue University on NROTC. I am so proud of both of them.

My youngest also applied with the USNA, but found out a couple of weeks ago that she wasn't accepted. She had decided before she received the news that if she got accepted, she was going to accept the NROTC scholarship. Like many others, she wanted to experience the "real college life." She is looking forward to starting school in the fall.

Looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say in this group.

Nancy