I'm not - repeat not - trying to pick a fight, but what you say is simply not true.
My jokes about ROTC programs are based in personal experience, and I realize that it is probably the minority, but it is not an insignificant minority.
I've sat and listened as politely as I could as groups of ROTC grads bragged about how easy their program was, about how meetings and classes often consisted of a simple sign-in, about how long they could grow their hair, etc. etc. etc.
I'm not saying every program is like that, but way too many are...
Give me back the time I've spent (wasted) teaching recently commissioned ROTC grads to wear their uniforms, how to enter a ship properly, how to give basic commands on the bridge, how to write a proper log entry, how to identify visual navigation aids, and on and on and on, and I will find a way to correct my attitude. (Yes, another jab, but one said with a smile...)
LOL okay, fair enough. Truce? :D
Maybe I just shoulda said Army ROTC was hard LOL...Just teasing. If it's any consolation, my Dad's a retired Master Chief, and my brother just pinned on Captain. I'm the black sheep for being an infantry officer.
I know there were guys who shammed their way through ROTC, just doing barely enough to qualify, but there were a lot more of us who worked our asses off to be as prepared as we could when we got our commissions. I don't know if this particular midshipman was the former or the latter, though I have my suspicions.
Oh, and lest I forget - thank you for your service.