Colorado Technical University

Advice on which ROTC to join for commissioning?

Hey, I want to become an officer with fixed-wing aviation, securing computer networks, military intelligence, or infantry if I gain the courage (I would go to the Marine Corps). What ROTC do you think I should be a part of at Texas A&M University? I want to commission into the military and do something for my country, and make it my career (25+ years). I made a list of pros and cons, but I'm still very unsure. I know the final decision is mines, but I just wanted some advice. Thanks for reading. U.S. Navy +Pros -Travel -Love the sea -Great on education -More aircraft than the Air Force -Lots of tradition/politics/etc. -Best Technical Training +Cons -Can't do Information Warfare out of ROTC -Aviation and Surface Warfare are all I'm interested in for Unrestricted Line Officer U.S. Marine Corps +Pros -"The Few, The Proud" -Leadership Development -Travel, I think -Lots of tradition +Cons -Under the Department of the Navy -Usually train at the other branches facilities U.S. Air Force +Pros -Chance to fly the F-22, F-35B, C-17, or C-5. -Able to get into Information Warfare/Military Intelligence straight of out ROTC -Best educational push -"...73% can't get in, then they enlist in the Army..." -All Airmen have a dorm for themselves on-base +Cons -Who really likes being in the Air Force -Very overmanned -Only 1% are pilots/navigators -Lots of other officers -Low promotional oppurtunities U.S. Army +Pros -largest military branch -been a part of the Army JROTC -so many jobs -good promotional oppurtunities +Cons -no jets and very little fixed-wing aircraft, I don't want to fly a helicopter very much

Public Comments

1. Maybe you should start by further limiting what you want to do, might make the choice a little more clear
2. If you go NROTC you have two years to decide whether you want to go Navy or Marine Corps. If you enter the Corps of Cadets as a non-scholarship Cadet you may be able to switch ROTC affiliation before taking the contract. You will likely remain in the same unit that you did your fish year in. Reading your letter I suspect that you are most interested in being a Marine: You just give that impression.
3. You are all over the place. You need to refine your options. I went through AFROTC and went to graduate school. After graduate school I received a direct commission into the Navy as a lt (jg) and served in the surface fleet as a line officer for 25+ years. Do not hang your hat on flying. It may never happen. Had I been qualified after AFROTC I would have opted for flight school and not gone to grad school until mid-career. I was an Air Force brat and loved it. The Marine Corps is a calling. Many of my friends spent careers in the military (including Naval Service.) I had four classmates in the same class a the Naval Academy. One went into the Marine Corps. His father and brother were both Marine Corps officers at the time of his commissioning. The Air Force has the largest inventory of aircraft as well as the longest obligation (10 years) for flight training. However, this should be no problem since you are looking at 25. In my mind the years between 15-25 are the best. You are mistaken about promotional opportunities. All services are about the same. The Marine Corps is slightly slower and many Marines retire at 20 as majors. Seldom do 20 year career officers retire below lieutenant-colonel or full commander in the other services. All promotions through 0-3 are the same. Promotion to 0-4 is between 11 and 13. In the Navy I was promoted to commander at 15+ which is good but not unheard of. I was promoted to captain at 20+ which is also on track but is not unusual. My career stalled and I retired at 25 years. I realized that I would never be promoted meaningfully again. I would have probably been promoted to rear-admiral (lower-half) somewhere between 28-30 and retired at 32. Bt that time there would have been officers four-years my junior that would out rank me by two promotions within a year. I was time to go. You'll know when to go. My advice to a flying type with career goals is to take AFROTC, steer clear of the Marine Corps Option in NROTC and if you have a lot of confidence in your ability (Get your private ticket on your own) go NROTC. However, don't be disappointed if you are not selected to go to Pensacola. Good luck. It is a great life, flying or not.