[Tamaroa]

Just thought I'd ask, especially those who have gone through ROTC and the Academy. Do you have an opinion as to the best way into the officer corps? When my son was a high school student, he was driven to become an officer in the Navy. Nothing detered him from that goal. He was accepted to both the Naval Academy and the 4 year NROTC scholarship program. Sean was all set to accept his appointment to the academy, then I stepped in with a simple comment. I told him that before he accepted the appointment, he should check out the NROTC programs in colleges in NY State. He did. I went to all the interviews with him.

After some consideration, he went the NROTC route through R.I.T. The reasons were as follows: 1)He could still get a commission and have a social life of sorts at the same time.2) He went to RIT through the 5 year program and received a Masters in engineering. 3) After numerous interviews with many officers both NROTC and Academy produced, they ALL said within 2 to 3 years out in the fleet, you couldn't tell the difference between an Academy grad and an NROTC grad.4) They said that 50% of all Naval officers were supplied by NROTC schools 5) All newly commissioned Ensigns whether NROTC or Academy are all commissioned in the reserves. There is no reserve vs. regular anymore. Once in, you have to augment, meaning apply for regular status to drop the "R" 6) It turns out that fewer 4 year scholarships are granted annually then appointments to the Academy are made, so Sean actually was in a more select crowd going the NROTC route.

At any rate, he is very happy with the route he chose. In the not too distant future, he will be assigned to a submarine and begin his seagoing career.

Have any of you gone one route then wished you went another down the road. Once in the field did it really matter whether you were Academy or ROTC?

Thanks,

Bill