NROTC

NavymomBarb -- How exciting!!  I agree, the experiences are, indeed, amazing.

I sure wish our 3/C would find out.  Several MIDN from their Unit have gotten their orders, but not our 2.  At least our 1/C has been told where she will probably be stationed after she passes her nursing board exam, tho' orders won't be issued until after the nurses actually pass.

CRAZY that our 1st Commissioning is only 18 days away!!  It does NOT seem like nearly 4 years ago that we dropped dd off @ Fr. Orientation so she could "check out" NROTC as a college programmer.  So proud of her.

I'm all out of advice, maybe you good ladies will have some. DD failed her spring PRT by 10 sit ups (1st semester she failed the run by 4 seconds, this time run was fine but failed on sit ups). Now she must decide whether to DOR or gamble on the PRB in the fall. Problem is that her PRB will not happen before she would have to sign her obligation to serve papers. If they put her on LOA she has to drop or get a loan for $20,000 for the semester. They could leave her on probation and no harm done, but how much of a gamble should she take on that? She already been accepted into the nursing school a year ahead of schedule. I just don't know what to tell her. She def. doesn't want to enlist OR have to pay the navy back $60,000.

Lori -- Oh dear, that is a conundrum. 

i'll ask my dd what she suggests.  She could always run and her abs are tight, but due to her long torso she has always struggled with the sit ups part of PRT, having to do them the "Navy" way.  She's got clinicals today, so i know i won't hear back soon, but i'll let you know what she suggests, if she has a suggestion.

Lori --

i sent you a friend request so i could "message" the answers i'm getting to you, unless you or others want me to share them here -- the first one is quite lengthy.  i not only asked my dd her opinion, but also the other 1/C girls in their program.

I'd be interested to hear of others thoughts, experiences. I remember the phone calls, struggling to pass the tests. Her school had the remedial club, she was a member. Good news that the older she gets the easier it gets (times relax).

Is your daughter happy with the program? Does she want to be in the Navy? What is her Navy advisor telling her? What is she hearing from the upperclass ladies? Is it reasonable to work on the sit-ups over the summer? Remember Chery with a C's daughter and personal trainer? It worked.

Will she be allowed to go to CORTRAMID this summer if she didn't pass? Do nursing students do that?

thanks, ladies! just knowing others out there understand all of this is a huge help. its all greek, alphabet soup to most folks. she was put on extra PT all year, which meant PT M,W, F and drill T,Th. she is very petite built (just 5' with short legs). she passed her swim quals, push ups and sit ups right off the bat but at the fall PRT her run time was 13:33 (needed 13:30). the spring prt her run was 12:58 but only 55 sit ups. she is scheduled for her 3c nursing cruise aboard the uss carter hall at the end of this month. i know she can pass the prt next fall, but she is really worried that they will still have the LOA option after she has signed her contract. she wants to serve as a nurse but not as enlisted, which she would have to do if the put her on LOA.

Lori -- Here is one response from a 1/C MIDN Nurse option who has struggled with a bum knee off & on thru college, so she has been through it. ...

My two cents:

Well, she has finished the year and passed all her courses. She begins nursing school this fall. She has received orders to the USS Carter Hall for her 3C Nursing Cruise later this month. She is going ahead and signing the lease on her apartment for the fall. She's decided (based in no small part to the advice and encouragement from N4M's members) to roll the dice and push ahead. She'll be working hard this summer and her adviser told her that as long as she passes the mock PRT that will come before her PRB, she should be fine. Academically, she's at the top of her class and is a full year ahead and should graduate a year early. I really can't fathom a situation where they would put her on LOA, but there aren't any guarantees. We are picking her up tomorrow. I'll be sure to let y'all know how it turns out when the time comes. Thanks, ladies!!!

My son is home after completing his first year in Austin at HT and getting (hoping) ready to transfer into UT next fall.  He will attend his first Navy cruise May 25th in San Diego.  Any pointers for mom?  Any pointers for Bryan?

Dyanne -- Bryan'll be going to CORTRAMID, right?  If yes, then i'd do a search on here & read past discussions about it.  There is stuff you might want to know.  Some moms make the marine week sound horrible -- our MIDN didn't think it was all that bad.  He had a great time at CORTRAMID, got to see & experience so many cool things & meet some great people. 

My pointer for you ... if you're gonna write him at his different locations, make sure you send the mail plenty early.  I thought i sent every letter w/plenty of time, but sometime in September the last letter i sent (to his Marine week) was finally received -- back at home!!  lol  It apparently didn't get to the base while ds was there & it took awhile for the Navy to forward it on to him  haha

Alaskan Mom ,

If you seriously get into a pickle about this i know there is a girl from MU's Unit that is from SD, so we could contact her/her folks.  There's also a few alum from MU's Unit that live out there. 

I wonder if there is an alum from your dd's Unit that lives out there & she could ship it to him/her??

Dyanne - a couple things i do remember that my MIDN was glad to have that wasn't on the packing list ... a smaller packable bag (duffle) that he can put his stuff in for the sub.  There isn't room for them to take their sea bags & they have to pack "smaller" for that part of the CORTRAMID.  Also, he was glad to have a couple decks of cards & a good book for down time.  And, as ViperGirl said - a camera.  And stamps & addresses from home. 

i could probably go on ... do a search & read the forums  haha

Thanks so much I will pass the advice onto Bryan.

To: Jn/Jf mom: My picture is Bryan in UT shirt with me and his dad, Lukes mama picture is Luke in his cacky uniform.

ok ....going to sound dumb but what is CORTRAMID I truly am a newby to all the acronyms and Navy stuff...lol...

Bryan is suppose to be 1 week, Marines, 1 week sub, 1 week aviation, 1 week ship... does that still mean extra down time in SanDiego?

The order of the weeks will probably be different but there was stand around and wait time in 3 of the 4 weeks. Breaking in the boots now might help with the blisters. Cards are a wonderful idea.

The photos have straightened out. My poor iPad was objecting to the cold this morning (42 degrees). That and the coffee.

ok thanks so much to you all ;-)

This forum has been such a help for me the last three years. Besides being a wealth of information, I have a place where there are others with the same concerns, worries or fears. This is a safe place to vent, wonder and BRAG.

We accept that there are no dumb questions, that the commands don't all have the same communication skills. At times we have found out things here before our kids. Hearing from other moms about their kids' experiences has helped me understand what she is facing and going through. I don't need to know- rather I want to know.

For the moms who wrote their kids, I'd bet it was something they wanted to do.

There has been underage drinking at every college forever. Does it hurt to remind a kid that drinking in San Diego is different, that it has cost some kids scholarships/careers? How? It was my perogative to tell my daughter to bring sunscreen, moleskin and the repercussions others had faced for drinking at CORTRAMID. True confession time: I even still ask my kids (and DH) to drive carefully and I tell them I love them when they leave.

NavymomBarb you are so right, we all know our kids best. We all have different parenting styles and relationships with our kids. At this stage there are fewer mandates and more suggestions, discussions. It's what we have strived for. The world is less black and white and more (battleship) grays.

I still call my son "Baby Boy" and he lets me. I remind him every time I speak to him that I love him and to be careful. I remind him about drinking and drugs and to study. That's because I'm a Mom.

However, I totally agree with ViperGirl. My goal is for my son to function 100% without my input. He is finishing his sophomore year, and he is already there. He gets to and from college (halfway across the country) alone, moving and storing his belongings. He does it all. 

He just got his orders for his 3C Cruise out of Pearl Harbor! He will stay at school this summer as he got himself a Research Job at his University, so he will assemble & pack for the cruise on his own. There will be no one to see him off at the airport. I feel bad. He doesn't. He's there. He's an adult at 20 years old. 

That being said, he does still need me. The connection is still there. He calls me when he gets good news and bad. He tells me stuff. It's good.

Hey everyone-

I've been "away" for quite some time but had to pop in when I read ViperGirl's comment.  Something about it just really touched me and I wanted to add my two cents if you all can stand it :)

I thought  (VP) said that really pretty darn well and point on.  We are a non-military family- until now.  My daughter and soon to be Ensign is my oldest.  In general we are not the overshadowing types of parents but she's our girl- we also have 2 boys.  She's independent, feisty, follows the rules, etc. etc. but things happen over the course of 4 years in college.  I have RARELY contacted the unit officers myself but there has been a few times if I have a major concern.  When I do, I always start with "Please don't tell my daughter I called.." ..... ha !  Guess what-  They always have told her.

Secondly- Imagine how taken aback I was when I was stopped and corrected in mid-sentence as I referred to the students as "kids".  They were all of 18/ 19 year old kids and the Marine officer very clearly and very politely assured me they were adults. Young adults- yes, but adults nonetheless.  It started right then, a little track to I guess a more military way of thinking.  We learned that we would be doing more harm than good by butting in.  She comes to us if she needs something.  When I can't deal- I talk to other ROTC moms and that brings me back to  a rational place and prevents making a big mistake (like calling a unit officer).

Drugs?  Eeks- have they not had any surprise drug tests yet?  That should make them think about it.  There was a wise mom on here that put it into a great monetary perspective by saying for anyone else that one joint might cost them a small fine, for our kids (um, adults ) it could/would cost them about $200,000 and a career.  It can't possibly be that good.

My daughter graduates and commissions Memorial Day weekend !  The movers are coming this Wednesday to move her "stuff" so she will have 2 weeks of living out of suitcases pretty much.  Then she is off to Pearl Harbor within a week or two of commissioning.  It's all happening so fast it's insane.

Happy Mother's Day back to all of you :) 

We turn into Military mom's whether we want to or not but it's just as hard on the dads.  My husband doesn't know what to do with himself as we watch our daughter try to pack her life into little compartments in the other room.  He's  trying to "be here" for moral support or to carry something or whatever.  She and I can't seem to do anything but argue over everything important like, sheets or plates or whether to put that in a box or leave it out.  :(:(   My brain knows it's part of the process but my emotional side just sits here lost.  And I thought I was doing so well - I hope these little chunks of sadness are short lived.

Somehow I guess we all adjust :)   For now-- I'm having Ice Cream - lots of it - LOL.

I love that phrase about parenting Kay - thank you :)

Lori4629 --

We sent you a message (dd did lol) w/ info about both a 3/C nurse cruise & a 1/C nurse cruise.  Hope it's helpful.  If you have any more questions let us know!!

Exciting times!!

HI Everybody

I am moving over here from the NJROTC group.  My son graduated from high school and will be attending college at LSU Baton Rouge in the fall.  He will cross campus to Southern University for the ROTC program. 

I am looking forward to his new adventures!

Welcome gmwrdh! Thats wonderful! NROTC is such a great program!

Welcome gmwrdh!  It's a nice group we have here :]

Proud to say I am the mother of an Ensign. My daughter graduated from Fordham University this month and will be reporting to Virginia.

I have not been very active on the NROTC site but appreciated the comments and pictures posted. Good by Group and thank you for the 4 years.

For those incoming NROTC parents/kids, hang in there it's all worth it.

I'm so proud -- Our dd ... one of the "newest commissioned officers in the United States military"!!

Here she is after she was part of the color guard in our local Memorial Day service today.  It was so neat -- she, an Ensign, Navy Nurse, for just over a week & the only other female in uniform there was a career Army Nurse, retired.  Both ends of the spectrum.  Also, the only other active duty present was a fellow high school graduate who enlisted right out of school.

Awesome service, awesome day  :] 

Congratulations Jn/Jf Mom and Gale Sellers and your Ensigns!!!! Welcome  gmwrdh, congratulations on the promotion from JROTC! We've got a couple of friends in the Southern / LSU unit, even though my DD is at Auburn! Best wishes!

DS got an email today about his 2/C summer NROTC cruise.  Currently excited to be going on a sub.  Previously not so excited for a short swo cruise out of Norfolk haha.

We'll see what actually happens ... this is the 4th set of dates & flight plans he's been told about.  Hope this one is a keeper since he's so excited.

I will be anxious to hear how the sub cruise goes- that is my son's goal. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.  I am glad I found this site-it's a new world for me.  My dad was Navy before I was born, so I don't have much experience with this.

Congrats to Jn/JfMom- what a beautiful pic of your daughter!

@Lori4629  I think we may have chatted on the NJROTC group. 

MizzouMom -- that ice tray ship is so cute!!

I love Pinterest!! 

After a very long day full of flight delays, missed connections, a few hours waiting, and a long duty van tour of Norfolk, my daughter and a few other NROTC nursing students safely arrived shipboard yesterday. Unfortunately, they arrived after liberty had begun and the Galley was closed. So they had a candy bar and soda dinner from the vending machine. :-(

Jn/JfMom, they all had fun wandering around the ship seeing how lost they could get last night! 

2/C MIDN is so bummed today ... yesterday got news he was headed on a sub in Pacific; today he was told he's gonna be on a short swo cruise out of Norfolk.  Tokyo sounded MUCH better to him!! 

gmwrdh -- thanks for the kind words.  I think she looks great in uniform!!  lol

Lori4629 -- our nurse was on the WASP @ Norfolk -- is that by any chance the same ship your nurse is on?  It has the 3rd largest "floating hospital" in the Navy [behind only the hospital ships Comfort & Mercy] w/ 8 operating rooms!!

My son just headed out to his Officer's Interview for his NROTC (MC option) scholarship. Praying that it goes well!! He leaves on Monday for 3 weeks of back to back summer seminars at USAFA, USMA and USNA. He'll be gone the same 3 weeks his sister is away for her Nurse Afloat 3C cruise.

It's so fun/exciting for me to read all of the posts about Summer plans for your sons and daughters!  My DS has missed so much as a College Programmer (no CORTAMID or Summer Cruise this year), but we are very thankful that the scholarship finally came through and that next Summer he'll be off on an adventure of some kind.  In the meantime, keep posting--I learn so much here!

BusyMom -- Congratulations!!  How awesome...third gen Naval Officer & engineer.  Great picture!!

Busymom- congrats on Naval Reactors program :)  You must be proud.  Very difficult program to get into.

Great picture too !

My daughter has commissioned and graduated and is at her 1st duty station-  woohoo !  We are so happy for her.   It has been such a ride and continues to be.  She is at Pearl Harbor and has been there for a mere 10 days, struggling to find her way around and get settled in.  Not easy to do so far from home.   Somehow and for some reason I thought there would be more assistance for new officers when they arrive on base. :(   I guess that's the mom in me but regardless- she is doing fine.  She's signed a lease and is waiting for her stuff and her car.  She's done some scouting around.  Looks beautiful- we can't wait to go visit.

Getting ready to leave next week to Brit's Marine OCS graduation next week, I can't wait. I have been able to talk to him twice on the phone. (They are allowed their phone when on liberty) He said it has been challenging but he has felt well prepared.The biggest challenge has been the heat and humidity, He said training has been stopped a few times because of the weather. One of the best things has been that the Marines post pictures of training on their OCS web site. Wonderful to see his picture doing his thing. One milestone down!

Carolyn, make sure you are sending tons of letters. Brit said that helped so much. He just wanted to hear what "normal" people were doing, I sent about 3 a week. I only got 2 letters from him, they don't give them a lot of free time. The first one will tell you how to address the letter, which company and platoon. He will be in G (Golf) company, all the ROTC kids are, but you will have to wait for the platoon. Tell your son good luck and Semper FI!

Carolyn -- make sure you pay attention to your son's specific address for OCS.  Someone below said all ROTC marines are in golf company, but i'm pretty sure only one of the three i wrote from MU were in Golf company during the first session of OCS this summer.  Don't know why there are differences in info, but apparently there are.

Jn/Jf Mom I am not sure why some the the Candidates you wrote weren't in Golf Company but according to the web site ( https://www.trngcmd.usmc.mil/OCS/default.aspx )  and my son Echo and India Companies are for PLC Marines. There are different Platoons.

Carolyn keep checking the web site above (it is one of the ones you sent me earlier). They post pictures from check in on. I have found Brit in quite a few pictures which makes things a litter easier. The only other tip I can give you is make sure your son knows how proud you are, how much you support him and how much you love him. This is the hardest thing he has done so far. They are pushed physically, emotionally and mentally, they need to know you are 100% behind them. Oh and carry your cell phone with you, you do not want to miss the calls when they come.

Just found the addresses ... i was wrong, 2 of the 3 were in Golf.  I don't know what's up with that, but ... then again, i don't need to know!! haha

Hello, I'm starting NROTC this next year. Advice?

RoTcMoM~ the only mids that have to go through OCS are the Marine options like my son and carolyn's (and a few others). They attend OCS the summer between their junior and senior years for 6 weeks.

Hi JessicaAnna:

Welcome to the group :)  I know your not a mom so this is one piece of advice I can offer you that I know my daughter would  tell you in getting ready for ROTC.  Keep working out !!  Make sure you keep up with running- and if you aren't running- START !  My daughter was in really good shape when she went to O Week and still felt unprepared that first year. Running, per Se, was just not her thing.  Any, and every other form of exercise but not running.  Now- boy she's a runner- LOL.

Like ViperGirl said- academics first which sometimes will be shockingly difficult because ROTC is going to take a lot of your time.

Best of luck to you !