DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Guidance Needed (College/ROTC related)

Hello, fello dawgtalkers. I'm Josh here in Jackson, MI and was just hoping to get some guidance. I know in my life I want to have a military career, it's fulfilling and what I want to do and has many great benefits. I know also that in that military career I want to be an officer and will do some type of ROTC. Any one have ideas as to which branch is best to go into? I know for college I want to study history and was thinking, WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO STUDY HISTORY AT? I'm really a pretty smart cookie and can get into many schools, but in history what is the best?

Any insight or information would be much appreciated!

Well, I don't think the branch matters as there really aren't going to be any jobs dealing with History in the military unless you somehow manage to score a teaching position at the War College. Most likely, a History degree will land you a job as an infantry platooon leader in the Army/Marines. If you have any engineering type aptitude at all, I would strongly reccommend the Navy or Air Force. The Navy has their whole Nuclear Engineering track...which can be pretty big money in the civilian world.. and the Air Farce has, well... planes and rockets


That said, the only two schools I would consider (at the top of the list anyway) would be West Point & Annapolis. If it's History you want, you will do no better than those two.

History is a liberal arts. Look for a good liberal arts school....but many don't offer ROTC.

If the military is what you want, look into one of the academy institutions....or one of the private schools like VMI or The Citadel.

As to which branch, they all offer much but it depends on your interests. All have their benefit and weakness....it just depends on what you are looking for and your attitude.

If you want to fly, then the AF or Navy is your best bet. If a command is what you want, then the Army or Marines is what you want.

If you are of a weaker constitution, the AF or Navy is probably the best route. If you are more into digging into the dirt, the Army or marines is probably your best bet....and that really isn't any disrespect to the guys in the Navy or AF.....but for life skills that translate to civilian life, then the Navy or AF are probably best as they offer more technical programs where the Marines and Army are more tactics, digging holes, and killing the bad guys.

But it is all leading men, and no matter the branch, a noble endeavor.

If the military is what you want, look into one of the academy institutions....or one of the private schools like VMI or The Citadel.


And if you are at all any kind of an athlete, you can walk on, maybe even get a scholarship. These two schools really need the help,....

Regardless of the branch, 'Peen is correct, it's all about leading men. Might want to consider the doors that get opened when you say "former Marine,..." or the ones that get slammed in your face by some female HR gal.

Well in the Navy you get a great education, can attend college classes on ship, and what better way to study history then visit some of it during a foreign port call. JMO being a former Navy guy myself

Annapolis isn't easy to get into though.

For a career it seems it would be harder being sent out on a boat 5-6 months at a time. It would be good as a single. As a husband with kids, I would think it would suck.

Here's another way to look at a career in the service,...many think prior enlisted service can give you an additional perspective on leadership that many officers do not posess. Not true in every case,....but there are plenty of college advancement avenues in all branches for enlisted men who display the requiste qualities to attend an officer candidate program, complete a degree and move on up the chain. The pay is better for a newly commissioned O-1 who has over 4 years of prior service too.

The absolute best of these programs are the Navy's NECEP and the Marine Corps MECEP (Navy/Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.) You remain on active duty while attending college, maintain a solid GPA, become active in the local ROTC, and agree to serve 4 years as a commissioned officer upon graduation from college. VERY, VERY competitive programs to get into AND you must pay your own tuition costs. If you partcipate in whatever/however the GI BIll College programs work these days, you should have enough to pay your way. MOST colleges grant in-state tuition for active duty students assigned to their schools.

The only bummer is, during one summer you must attend OCS---this is a very tough mental challenge after you've been to boot camp once already, at least, after you've been to Parris Island and earned the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

There is NO GUARANTEE you will get selected for one of these programs,....I was lucky enough to attend The Citadel,....actually by default, I got ordered to go there, but I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world.

If you want more info, just ask.

Josh..

Just for giggle I went to google.com and typed in: Michigan ROTC. There are 285,000 hits on that alone. I selected Michigan because that would be in-state tuition for you.. why don't you give that a try?