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Comment by J/J Mom on October 6, 2011 at 9:00am

Looking forward to going to UW Madison on Saturday & seeing all those NROTC Units from all over the midwest compete in Drill, Colors, Rifle, Sailing & Endurance.  Should be awesome!!

Comment by Lori4629 on October 1, 2011 at 3:48pm

My son is trying to go Marine option ROTC if the Academy doesn't come through for him. From what he's been told, I think he is still subject to the 3 tiers of majors. Some of the students in my daughter's unit have changed majors, but they have to stay within their tier. You can't go from "Civil Engineering" to "Elementary Education". Many of them have discovered that their degree will require them to stay an extra year because there are so many required courses (especially the engineers) that once you add the ROTC courses it takes 5 years to complete their degree.

Comment by Lori4629 on October 1, 2011 at 3:41pm

I don't think a lot of the students are prepared for the sacrifices that the program requires them to make. Getting up at 0500 and doing PT or drill, along with mandated study hours, watch standing, time getting uniforms ready, required event participation, and then you add the extra course work required and this doesn't look like your "average" high school senior envisions their college years. At some schools the freshman "harrassing" is pretty intense too- getting yelled at by senior mids and doing menial tasks- always being pushed to better your best. Some of them come in from JROTC units or schools where they were BIG fish in a little pond and find themselves suddenly little bitty tadpoles in a world of great white sharks. Homesickness, loneliness, stress to perform on a higher academic level, the physical toll of getting up early and all that PT, takes a toll on these kids and without strong support from home it can get to be too much. The ROTC mids don't even get to take consolation knowing that everyone else is enduring the same things, like at the Academies, because they see all the other kids at their schools having time to sleep in, skip class, party, goof off, participate in fraternities/sororities, etc. All the MIDN who stick it out and persevere distinguish themselves as Naval or Marine officers and deserve to be congratulated!!! It is truly an accomplishment to complete their college education and earn a commission at the same time.

Comment by bora's mom on September 30, 2011 at 11:25pm

Alaskan Mom you bring up a good point about the Tiered majors. My daughter's recruiter knew nothing of it 3 yrs ago. It was a bit of a surprise for us when we found out during the spring visit to the school.

When I started college I had no idea what I wanted to study, changed my mind (again) at the end of my Jr year. Our kids can't change their minds.

I just checked the USNA dropout rate, it's approx 20%, that is, 80% of the mids graduate on time. Same for West Point. Last time I checked they could major in anything.

I understand the Navy's desire to fill their gaps in science/math officers. With their own academy not producing enough it makes sense to offer limited scholarships. Perhaps recruiters need to stress that more.

I don't think the Marine option kids are in the same predicament - are they?

Dumb question I know, but what are programmers?

Comment by bora's mom on September 30, 2011 at 2:36am

I think the exit interviews would be very helpful if the kids would be completely honest and the interviewer adept at drawing them out. Money well spent. The ROTC students have to follow a stringent code of conduct, be physically fit and academically sound period. Might be better to give more scholarships to the older guys who already know what the military is like, who have already demonstrated leadership skills, maturity.

Comment by June4th on September 29, 2011 at 9:02pm

My daughter's unit just lost a bunch of freshman.....I think it has to do with mental toughness more than anything.

Comment by proud but nervous on September 29, 2011 at 1:57pm

NavymomBarb,  I couldn't agree with you more!  Last year my son's unit lost several of the scholarship kids this first semester.  My son is one who is a college programmer.  His CO has told him that he wishes there was something he could do to have one of those scholarship's reassigned to him but unfortunately that is not how it works!

 

Comment by Megan on September 29, 2011 at 1:29pm

Tulane has the Mardi Gras drill meet.   Of course that's not until next Spring. It's usually the Friday before Fat Tuesday.

Comment by J/J Mom on September 28, 2011 at 9:42pm

Not the next couple months, but on April 14th there is a drill competition at University of Memphis.  There is also Endurance & Sailing competitions that weekend.

Comment by bora's mom on September 28, 2011 at 7:12pm

Does anyone know of any drill meets or performances coming up near Louisiana (nearby states) in the coming months? Looking for the ROTC or service people not the JRTOC. We were trying to see if the Marines were going to perform however their schedule is so HARD to find.

 

Thanks

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