Summer Shadowing?

[Jake's Mom]

My son is in the NROTC program at Penn State. He "finally" received the 2 year scholarship and is thrilled beyond belief. (So am I!)  As we all know, sometimes it is difficult to get much information out of our sons. And if we push too hard, it can hinder the relationship since they feel they are able to handle all that comes their way. I was wondering if anyone has experience with the two year scholarship and the trip that will occur next summer. My son tells me that he will "shadow" someone in the Navy in the field that the Navy decides is his track. (Not always the first choice). Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the friendship!

Jill

[kmaidaho]

Hi Jill,

    My son was also a college programmer and finally, thankfully received his scholarship last year.  The requirement for Commissioning is the completion of a 1st Class Cruise.  This occurred for my son at the end of this summer.  He has wanted to pursue SEALs for some time and was selected for SEAL cruise.  I think the idea may be 'shadowing', but I will tell you that his experience was NOT passive at all.  It was very difficult, mentally and physically. They were running 40 miles a day, sleeping 3-4 hours a night.  Half of the class dropped during the first week and were sent to the USS San Diego to complete their time.  It was a realistic view of what pursuing that path (SEALs) may entail.  My son's roommate went on the EOD Cruise last summer and it, too, was very tough.  

     As far as the Navy deciding where they will go--that is partly true.  I think they do try to match midshipmen up with their preferred field, but it doesn't always work out.  The question to ask your son is what he is interested in doing in the Navy.  He may not really know...or even care...in that case, the 'needs of the Navy' will come into play and he'll be assigned.  Anyway...this is my experience and based on my limited knowledge.  Hope it helps!

Kat

[Jake's Mom]

Kat, your response was very helpful. Thanks so much for your help!  Can I ask you a few more questions --- when did your son receive the details for his summer cruise? I am hearing that it can all be very last minute. Also, how long was the actual cruise?  

Thanks again for your help?

~jill

[kmaidaho]

He received the word that he got the cruise he wanted in early May and then waited another week before finding out which session he would be attending.  (There were 3 SEAL Cruises over the summer.)  His actual orders came about 3 weeks before he left.  The cruise was 4 weeks long and I think that is roughly the standard.  His roommate who went on the EOD cruise was gone for 5 weeks.

 

Best of luck to you!

 

Kat

[Jake's Mom]

Wow - what a great story. And very helpful to hear the process at Penn State. You must be so proud. What year did your son graduate from PSU? 2012? I am sort of surprised that the programs seem to vary so much between college campuses. 

[kmaidaho]

LOVE this story! :)

[ChiMom]

I am confused and disappointed right now. My DS went on an amazing aviation 1/C summer cruise this summer, has always shown interest in aviation, but for some reason was placed in subs for his pipeline - his last choice.  Does anyone have advice or know how this can happen?  He didn't interview for subs.

[J/J Mom]

Sorry for your disappointment and especially for your son.  Unfortunately for our MIDN, unless they are nurse options it is all up to the Navy's particular needs each year where they are placed.  The reality is the MIDN get no real choice, it's all up to the Navy.  They know that, even if they don't want to admit it to themselves.

Our ds was on a great 1/C cruise w/ a helo unit & was wanting to go to flight school, too.  However, this fall, his CO started giving hints that he may end up on a sub.  "They just need more nukes this year."  Four out of 11 Navy options in his class were assigned to subs/nuke.  Two years ago when our dd was a 1/C they needed lots of pilots. That year only 1 out of 13 was assigned to subs/nuke.

At least you know your ds is smart!! otherwise they wouldn't have put him w nuke.  And, as far as i know many subs/nuke interviews haven't happened yet.  None of the MIDN from my ds' unit have interviewed yet.  One is going in Dec; our ds hopes to go next semester. 

As others have said in the newsfeed (or whatever it's called) being in subs is lucrative, so our boys get that bonus!!  ;)

[ChiMom]

Jn/Jf, thanks for your reply.  It gives me a better understanding of what happened.  My DS will make the most of it - even if it was his last choice.  It is quite a game changer though.  Best wishes to your DD and DS and big thanks to your family for the service of 2 family members!

[J/J Mom]

ChiMom -- your most welcome!!  We're all in this together.  Sounds like we'll be in the same boat for the next 7-8 years at least.  Hopefully our guys will come to love their assignments.   Hugs to you

[ChiMom]

ViperGirl, my DS has 20/20 eyesight, is an engineering major, and his fitness has always been ranked outstanding.  He was advised not to take private lessons because the Navy likes to teach the pilots their way. He also scored very high on the ASTB according to his previous XO.  He got lots of amazing flying time on his 1/C summer cruise and was given very positive feedback.  The explanation he got for getting subs was his excellent AP math, science, and ACT scores. I don't know that his new CO and XO know him very well, but that was the only reason they gave.  It was surprising to me that tests taken in high school could have such an impact on an assignment.  That said, he has a very positive outlook on life and will make the most of this assignment. The Navy needs what they need.

I so appreciate this forum, because it helps to get other mom's perspectives.

[NavyMarineMum]

Hi Jill,

My son received a 2 year NROTC scholarship too. He went on a 2 week Cruise last summer before coming home from school.  He was in Florida on a ship that is now retired.  He learned so much on that Cruise and was pleased with the out come of it too. He Just got his orders this morning when he Commissions next May 11th, from Norwich University, he will be an Surface Warfare Officer (SWO).  That was his first choice, but some of his Friends didn't get their first choice.  It's just what the beast of the Military as another parent put it.  Good luck and a huge Congratulations to you both!!! 

[lasersailor]

I have a daughter that joined RPI's NROTC this fall, her second semester (she started last January). She didn't qualify for a 4 year scholarship since she did "Middle College" her last 2 years of HS and even though the courses she took were for high school graduation, they were counted as college credit and was over the 30 college credit limit. She really enjoys the comraderie, the physical training and courses. They assigned a mentor in her major to help with her studies (upperclassman). She is already planning in getting an apartment next year with members of her NROTC unit (apartments are cheaper than dorms) despite the rapport she already has with her roommate for the first 2 semesters. She has nothing but praise for her unit. When we had to notify her about a death in the family, we went through the NROTC commander vice the school and we are glad we did. They really gave her support and had someone stay with her the first night.

As far as the summer cruises go, I am an old USNA grad but the summer cruise programs are designed similarly. The 1/C cruise comes down to what's available and the needs of the Navy. If someone has a NucEng degree, the Navy will normally push to send the 1/C to some nuc position whether subs, CVNs, or other ship with a reactor. As far as aviation, having flying lessons is not necessary in selecting an aviation career path. The one thing to look out for during the summer cruises are the opportunities that come up. Navy commands will sometimes extend invitations, especially when they want to get a candidate to join their warfare specialty. I was invited to stay onboard a sub to be able to complete dolphin quals. Others got to go to jump school, jungle warfare school, etc. Many opportunities will require spending more of your summer with a Navy unit and less vacation time. Getting to fly in a jet requires aviation physiology training of ejection seat qual, pool work of surviving a simulated aircraft ditch and bail out, pressure chamber, etc. I went aviation and there are several milestones in the aviation pipeline before one gets to their operational command. First there is ground school (Aviation Indoc), then basic flight training. After so many flights in a single engine prop, one selects (or the needs of the Navy overrides) helocopters, jets, or multi-engine prop planes. After that comes selecting the actual type of helo/jet/prop aircraft (Navy may select for you). Then RAG training (training to fly your ultimate aircraft) and finally your first operational squadron.

The official summer training directive can be found here:

http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/docs/Commander Naval Service Training Command Notice on Midshipmen Summer Training.pdf  or just do a google search.  Any Navy program has a Navy instruction that delineates what goes on. A little research is all it takes.

Someone asked what one does to get ready for Orientation week. First, get in shape - run, sit-ups, pull-ups. Watch "An Officer and A Gentleman". The movie is dated; the indoc program is similar but not as intense. Get a copy and study "Reef Points" from the USNA online store (not a requirement). Typical things to study are the General Orders, uniforms, ranks/rates, nomeclature (wall is a bulkhead, floor = deck, stairs = ladder, etc.). Follow the information sent to you. You will learn to make a bed, shine shoes, march with a rifle, salute, etc.

http://www.navyonline.com/ePOS?this_category=29&store=460&i...

Hope this helps.