Life at the edge of catastrophic disaster. It doesn't get much more exciting than this.
Posted on 02/03/2009 5:41:34 PM PST by Vesbasion
Hello, I made a post awhile back asking for advice about actually joining the military and it sure helped in solidifying my decision to do so. Here's the deal: I'm a 17 year old from Silver Spring, Maryland and have been accepted to both Norwich University in Vermont and the Virginia Military Institute. I have also been awarded a full Army ROTC scholarship. I know the Free Republic has a lot of verterans and military apt people so any positive or negative info about either school would help immensly.
P.S. I did not just join the FR to make a quick post. I have been a member for while and though I do not make many(any) posts I must read everyone of of these forums at least 10 times a day.
Congrats, youv’e done great so far. Focus on the education part of it and ask G_d to help you choose the right one. Life is wisdom but also spirit. G_d gave you a mind so use it to make a advantages/disadvantages chart to help you decide. Pray and ask G_d to give you a sign. Maybe it could be a sign that you specifically ask for, such as please enable me to meet someone that has been to institution A. I wish for you a better CIC soon.
You cannot go wrong with any of the choices. I love all the options. I think you are best off with the 4 yr ROTC scholarship- IF it is a good school. Pick one with a strong ROTC program and a great academic reputation. Norwich and VMI are both totally awesome - such traditions! Would be thrilled to see one of our kids have the choice you are having to make.
One thought - if you are seeking a 20 - 30 year military career, go with one of the academies. If you want to be marketable in the civilian world after 5 - 10 in the military go with the ROTC scholarship - unless you are in the south - then go VMI.
Trust me, I know exactly how liberal that area is and have no problem confronting it. Hell, I currently go to Catholic school in DC...gave me MORE than enough practice in dealing with liberals.
Thx for all the info guys, really appreciate it. I’m actually looking to go into either an armored division or the paratroopers. If I had the chocie I would stick out in the military and get as high as possible because that’s the most appealing to me.
On the subject of carreer, I love history and law and would love to make that my career and possibly a role in government later. But if I chose to go into armor would it be necissary for me to get an engineering degree?
Sorry for the specifics, any help is great.
There are lots of good choices here offered by Freepers.
Another consideration is Texas A&M, College Station.
Corps of Cadets 2000+ members.
Right wing, Pro-military campus.
ROTC commissions offered in Army/Navy/AF/Marine Corps.
One of only a few triple grant colleges in the US.
Best of luck!
One more thought and it is an important one. With the Army ROTC you are locked into the Army. Does Norwich or VMI give you more of a choice in branch of service? Norwich might? After 4 years at one of the academies, you might be better able to make a branch of service decision than you are now. Tough decision to make right out of high school. If you are not sold on Army and would prefer another branch, I think maybe you should go to Norwich.
Yeah, but if he goes to A&M, he’s going to have talk around it for the rest of his life. My dad was sent there by the Air Force to get his Master’s in math, and I’m still scarred, thirty-five years later.
Harry von Zell asks how you could post in 03 when you didn’t join FR until 05.
New Commer! Go easy on the kid.
Here’s the deal: I’m a 17 year old
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Good for you. I had no idea what I wanted to do during school or after graduation. I’m now retired and still don’t know what I would have liked to do during my working life. It’s important to be happy and be able to grow in whatever you choose. Chances are that you’ll be putting up with your choice for the rest of your working life unless you’re extremely adaptable with a great resume. I just wish I had fallen into a career path that didn’t seem like work and more like fun and games everyday.
First of all, Congrats!!!!
VMI is for infantry (leg) and snake-eaters and Norwich is for armor. So if you want close combat and to jump out of perfectly good airplanes go VMI. If you want to live with four other guys for a week at a crack in a moving foxhole go to Norwich. But one last thing, how is your vision? A-10’s are pretty sexy right now. Lastly, good luck and pay attention to detail where ever you go.
Corpsman up!
Very astute observation, but if you had one of those special TV sets like George Burns, you’d know how I did it.
Limba noastra
Maybe the kid will be ready to defend you the next time the Tartars invade.
VMI is your best bet.. Just do me a favor OK?
pick a field or MOS (JOB) that will relate to the civillian world when you get out. If you do infantry or an MP you might be a cop. If you do jag..you become a lawyer. What one makes the most money in the civillian world? (Lawyer) This is how you approach this.
Best of luck!!
Best of luck whatever you choose. (My wonderful DH enlisted when he was 17, by the way ... he’s still in ... 26 years later!)
VMI.
You don’t need an engineering degree to get into Armor. Have you considered Army Aviation? A few years of that coupled with an engineering degree could get you into NASA.
Charleston, SC beats Lexington, VA and Northfield, VT like rented mules ridden by red-headed step-children.
Life at the edge of catastrophic disaster. It doesn't get much more exciting than this.
I’m not one who is snobbish about College/University. I’m like Gov. Palin, I went to around 6 of them. LOL
That said, I have a friend, a former military comrade, who went to VMI. If he is the standard of what they turnout, I don’t think you could find a better institution anywhere, period.
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