NROTC

Yes, ViperGirl and MizzouMom, was just reading up on PLC.  sounds like another avenue to get a commission, like you've said.  I'm wondering if the person who called doesn't realize that my son is in the college program.  appears that all these options really end up in the same place; just different ways to get there.

Yep, Pattie H, we're hoping that happens, too.

I'll be honest, it would be very nice to have the scholarship to pay for college, but we were already prepared to do so before the College Program offer was on the table to begin with.  But still, a nice opportunity it would be.

interesting info, moms.  but can he still go through PLC if he's currently in the NROTC college program?  it wouldn't be one or the other?

thanks, carolyn. yep, "advanced standing" is what we're hoping for, too.  i guess we're just hoping for something ... . :-)

My husband is enlisted and in the  STA-21 program he doesn't have to go to OCS post graduation/commissioning neither do his NROTC counter parts.

This was the first time she got to do it for a football game, but she has done it for other games.  She really loves it!

Edge dressing ... if there's a military surplus anywhere near campus they might have it.  The surplus near MU carries Parade Polish n some other stuff the MIDN need. 

It is available on line.  Just search "edge dressing" in quotes.  That's how we got our first tin of Parade Polish for Fr O.

Anyone else's MIDN going to University of Wisconsin's NROTC competition in October?  There's Drill, E-Team, Sailing, Colors & Rifle competitions.

Our dd MIDN is planning on competing in the E-Team Urban Adventure Run.  Last year it took her team 6-7 hours to complete the 13+ miles & the 15 "physical &/or mental stations."  Crazy to do & crazy fun to watch !!

The drill, colors & other competitions are fun to watch, too :]

Any chance of meeting any of you there??

June 4th -- We're from IL, our MIDN both go to Marquette in Milwaukee.

Our 1/C dd is BNXO of MU's Unit & will be doing the Urban Adventure Run.

Our 3/C ds is a Squad Leader.

 Sorry, i'm not that familiar with the way different Units are set up.  Is she an OIC for the Competition??  If so, which part??  It was a wonderfully fun day last year.  Course, we had 2 kids competing so that made it even more fun for us :]

Where are you from??

from their manual: "AFROTC Valor Awards are intended to recognize cadets who have distinguished themselves through voluntary acts of heroism."

Again delighted she was recognized.

@carolyn- he just ended up wearing his Class A. He was happy though because he got to call cadence and march them into the stadium. He had a good time but I am surprised that he didn't like it more than he did. I really thought he'd be sold on it after one visit, but not so much. I think he was a bit put off by the hazing and communal showers (LOL). So the search for the perfect fit ROTC school continues. I think he's got his heart set on the USNA so much that everything else just doesn't do it for him, but he's got to pick his top 5 ROTC schools for a back-up plan.

@Bora's Mom- a huge congratulation to your daughter! Way to go!

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

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!

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

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?

My daughter is doing Engineering and with all the ROTC stuff (Naval Science classes do not count towards her major), I think doing it in 4 1/2 years might kill her.

She is planning on doing some summer classes even though they are so expensive!  Does anyone know if the NROTC still will give any 5th year benefits for engineering majors??

She is taking 18 credits a semester....but needs 3 or 4 credits of Naval Science a semester that doesnt count towards the 128 she needs for engineering....

Cheryl w/a C: I don't think you will find a more supportive group than these moms.Glad to hear from you again. Your support for your daughter has been unwavering. She's a lucky kid.

Luke's mom: hope the knee is recovering. Physical therapy worked wonders for my daughter.

Helen P: I've been gone for a while. How is your son's shoulder doing? Hope he's recovering from surgery and back in the program.

On my mid's first day of ROTC she dislocated her knee and was in an ER two days drive from home. It is only in this last few months that I am not worrying about an injury which will knock her out of the program in no small part because of other mom's support on here. Too easy for me to focus only on the possibility of another injury or academic challenge wrecking NROTC for her. When my kids used to head off to run hard (class IV) whitewater I stopped saying "be careful" and instead started telling them to have fun. Even without my helpful reminders they survived.

Our kids take 18 units of hard science/math courses, are involved with drill and or sports, 5:30am PT get togethers.

I'm trying to remember to tell her to have fun at school now too. 

OMG - Please no more Mids getting hurt or sick! Enough already!

bora's mom, thanks for asking about my son. His shoulder is getting stronger every day. He's still in physical therapy, but has can do everything except pull-ups, contact sports and rifle drill. He has been participating fully in his Unit even while on Med Leave of Absence--he just doesn't get his scholarship. His billet is platoon commander. He sees the Dr. on 11/18 and hopes to a release letter for full activity and then he can apply to BuMed to end his LOA and get his scholarship back.

Patty H, it sounds like your son is in the same situation as mine. Mine was injured at CORTRAMID. I hope his concussion is not serious. 

And Cheryl's daughter just has to get well soon. 

Susan W, how awesome is that photo of your son in Africa--what a smile! It must have made you feel good to see such a happy face.

OK--like bora's mom says, our mantra should be "Work Hard, Have Fun, Stay Safe." But we really want to scream: "STOP GETTING INJURED!!!"

Cheryl - I hope everything turns out fine for your daughter.  I was down at Tulane a couple of weeks ago visiting my son and thought about you both.  I'm assuming she's still home with you where you can get her exactly what she needs? 

HelenP - ditto!  These are our kids, we want them all safe, healthy and happy.

Beautiful pictures! Prayers for Luke and a speedy recovery.

Lukes mama I hope everything goes well with the surgery and recovery.  

Lukes mama that is so great to hear. 4-6 weeks will fly by. What a Christmas present.

Auburn U. NROTC MIDN, Marine Corps Ball 2011 (My Randi is the 1st one from Left!)