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Comment by Glenni on March 17, 2017 at 8:52am

Thank you all so much for the kind, encouraging words.mwe learned yesterday that my son was selected for a Navy ROTC scholarship. I was surprised by how overwhelmingly excited we were because I really thought we had made peace with the enlisted route.

Comment by Glenni on February 25, 2017 at 12:58am

Thank you so much Chris. I just shared this conversation with him and asked if he would consider not enlisting to att nd college and try for an ROTC scholarship while there. He wants no part of it. He said if he doesn't get the scholarship now, he really wants to go this route. So like MichPad's son, all I can do is let him do it his way.

I am so grateful for all of your insights. Thank you so much. I actually feel better about whichever way it goes. Like my husband says, we are pleased that he is determined to serve his country.

Comment by Chris on February 24, 2017 at 11:12pm

DEP commitment: http://military-law.lawyers.com/military-law-basics/retracting-an-e...

Comment by Glenni on February 24, 2017 at 5:12pm

Wynona, you asked earlier about the Academy. He did apply, but did not receive an appointment. He took the ACT 3 times and made 29 the last two times. It just wasn't high enough for the Academy, and I'm honestly worried it won't be high enough for the scholarship. But he wrote an outstanding essay on his application, so I'm really hoping that essay combined with a strong interview and his GPA and class rank will carry the day!!

Comment by Wynona on February 24, 2017 at 4:39pm

Glenni, all I can say is no matter what he chooses, all that matter is his heart.  If he eventually really enlist, I know he will still make it as long as he put his heart and mind all to it.  Good luck! 

Comment by Glenni on February 24, 2017 at 4:33pm

MichPad, my son has talked a lot about the benefits of being enlisted before being an officer, too. At this point all I can really do is just pray that God will guide his career path in the direction that is best for him.

Comment by Glenni on February 24, 2017 at 4:32pm

You have all been so helpful. Chris, he went to MEPS last week and did swear in and sign papers. Is that what you're talking about, or is there a second swearing in right before they ship?

I agree that he needs to identify his ultimate goal. He is actually wavering some on the pilot thing because he is so intrigued with the nuclear engineering side of it. He excels in science and math (took quantum physics for kicks in 10th grade online), and has (since all this came up) started talking about how cool it would be to command a nuclear ship or sub someday. I honestly don't know if it is just his way of preparing himself not to be disappointed in the event he doesn't get a scholarship, or if he is really rethinking things. He has been talking a lot lately about career service.

I just wish we would find out about the scholarship soon so he will know one way or the other!!

Comment by Chris on February 24, 2017 at 1:15pm

MichPad,

" He did it his way, albeit, the harder way, and the NOT guaranteed way."

Couldn't have said it better myself. 

Comment by MichPad(STA21 Officer Mom) on February 24, 2017 at 11:07am

IMO, if your son can get into a good school and have all, or part, of it paid for by doing NROTC, he should absolutely go that way. I encouraged my son to go that route, but he really wanted to "be in the Navy" and didn't want to wait. Wynona is correct that by they time they put their packet together and possibly get accepted, they are in for close to two years, mine was 18 months, but close enough.

That being said, enlisting is not the end of the world.  My son has heard, and seen, that enlisted officers have a lot more respect than OCS officers.  Enlisted know the difficulties of the Navy and respect those Officers who have been there too, and visa versa, they know what it's like to be enlisted and therefore have more of an idea what the enlisted sailor is going through. Another good thing about being enlisted, and being in STA-21, is not only is their college being paid for, they are also getting all of their Navy pay and benefits (except retirement, you don't accrue retirement while at college).  My son was able to buy a house prior to being accepted (he was on Staff at Prototype), all paid for by his BAH.

I have a good friend who's husband was a Navy pilot for 24 years (OCS) and she always asks why did my son "do it the hard way", why didn't he do college and OCS? In a nut shell, because he didn't want to.  He did it his way, albeit, the harder way, and the NOT guaranteed way.

You do have a lot to think about Glenni, I wish you the best of luck!  I know how hard it is trying to "talk sense" or give some parental input to a stubborn teenager, but above all make sure he doesn't feel pressured by the recruiter to do what they want, he needs to do what HE wants. 

Comment by Chris on February 24, 2017 at 10:56am

MichPad,  My son is a 2013 graduate of the Citadel!  Go Dogs!   My nephew is currently in Power School (USNA 16).

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