Posted on 01/19/2015 11:04:04 PM PST by MacMattico
As hard as it may be, I, personally, would support her idea. Only a small percentage of the guys in my home town went on to serve in the military... and now, 25 years later, many of those who didn’t tell me it’s one of their biggest regrets. She’s young, and this could be one of her biggest opportunities to explore life and the rest of the world.
Recently sat on the nomination board for a local congress critter...
Each academy accepts about 1200 each year.
Navy gets over 17,000 qualified applicants, AF 13,000+, and West Point just shy of 13,000.
SATs need to be close to 650 across the board, and GPAs 3.5+ to be competitive.
All 3 are among the top 50 colleges for science and engineering.
If she’s in that group she should consider an academy. If not, then ROTC is a solid route.
If she is that good steer her into a hard engineer program. She will be well paid and have a chance to see the world if she desires.
Please encourage her to study options.
GOOD college FIRST, with ROTC, then a commissioned future in the Air Force. - sounds good. But steel her for the current environment. Biblically, we are in the world, but not of it. She should take the approach of a visitor from the Starship Enterprise or a Rebel somewhere in the Empire. Play along, survive, but only to the extent necessary not to get caught or killed by the natives. She WILL be subjected to all sorts of peer pressure.
This is not your father’s DOD...
If she can get in, the academies are wonderful. The only issue is that they are tough to get into and tough to get through. You have to really really really want to be there! FREEP mail me if you want further info about getting in. Of the 13,000 applications to West Point, that is only the quantity that make it through the paperwork process (maybe 1/6th of those who start) so be warned.
Thanks for your efforts and recent ROTC info validation from a serving officer. My experience was in the 70s yet I found that it was still very similar today, just as you describe. I’d also had interaction with the current cadre at my alma mater as part of an alumni weekend. MG01 has a very fixed position that was not moved by my link.
2. Eight semesters (fall and spring) of ROTC training during the class years.
3. Last four semesters of ROTC are paid by government in exchange for a six year enlistment and active duty upon graduation.
1. There are four year scholarships. Or you can do the first two years and commit after your sophomore year.
2. Officers don't enlist. They (we) are commissioned.
3. The proper term is an active duty service obligation (ADSO). The length of which can vary a bit from year to year based on the needs of the military from year to year. Last year AF cadets were allowed to skip out on any ADSO. There are guaranteed reserve component scholarships, which as implied puts one in the National Guard or Reserve.
It might be the wrong term to use (e.g., “enlistment”) for last two years, but you do sign papers committing you to the program and you are obligated to a specified number of years on active duty when a particular service springs 100% for your room, board, books, and tuition. READ fully the contract you are signing because there are certain defined recourses (both parties) for not fulfilling the terms of the contract.
I don't worry about this stuff any more because I did my 24 years and I'm now retired.
**I don’t worry about this stuff any more because I did my 24 years and I’m now retired.**
I did 27 and I think precision is important when handing out advice to readers who may have limited exposure to a program/topic.
if you think the service today is the same as the one your served in 40 years ago, ....
her experience will not be yours. it ain’t the same playground and it’s hostile towards real Christians and those who aren’t happy about the blatant gay agenda.
Yes, I’ve thought of that.
No, but I don’t know if her grades are THAT high. Close.
Yes, I have raised her to make sound decisions. But look at all of the comments from people with experience! This is not the military of our fathers.
She hasn’t taken the SAT yet but has the grades.
Thank you all. Like one person said, she may not be asking for advice but telling us! I will have her and my husband read this thread. It’s just terrible that we even have to have a discussion like this— the military should be a great choice, and yet those in charge seem to be ruining it. We have a while to look at all options... (HS Class of 2016)
As a recent nuclear power Navy ROTC grad, I can tell you that your information is slightly off. All Navy ROTC students are obligated for 5 years of service from the day they commission. That contract is signed on the first day of sophomore year. If you choose to do something that involves extra training (like the nuclear pipeline which involves approximately 2 years of training due to delays in getting spots at schools), you are obligated for an extra year of service.
I recommend going the officer route through ROTC at Va Tech or Texas A&M (disclaimer, I went to Va Tech). I think that having the corps of cadets at a large civilian school offers the best of both worlds. You still get that military experience, but you also get the chance to get away from it occasionally to enjoy all the benefits of attending a large civilian institution. And Va Tech is a very service oriented school, especially their Corps. The school’s motto is Ut Prosim, “That I May Serve”.
The thing to take away from all this discussion is to KNOW exactly what you must do to fulfill your end of the contract you sign and know exactly what your particular service has obligated itself to do and what, if any, the penalties are for non-completion. (For example, you may have to repay any monies you received.)
Above all, talk to people about their experiences. Most of us agree our time in the service was well spent, but there's always thorns among the roses. It's important to recognize that too.
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