Pros and cons of being a Cadet before you join the Army.

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 21:42:56 -0400

I am currently at FT. Knox, and I would like to hear your Cadet stories!

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jul 1 at 2014 9:46 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 21:46:24 -0400

I initially came in the Military enlisted, and I was not familiar with the path of being a Cadet. I am amazed at the quality of future officers and I would like to hear your stories. Please share, and provide encouragement for my fellow enlisted that would like to follow this path. I am told, for those that might want to be a veterinarian the Army will give scholarships.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 6 at 2014 4:17 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:17:00 -0400

Being a cadet gave me some advantages over the general college population in that it offered me a disciplined route through my college years along with a secondary college goal and practical hands on experience in real world situations. People may have snickered when they saw us on campus in BDUs but I'd like to know if some of them are laughing now. We were paid for learning about the military, we got sent to summer camp, we bonded with each other, we had leadership experience before entering the real world, our ROTC staff were mentors, tutors and anything else they could be for us so that we could succeed AND we became commissioned Army Officers with a ready career in front of us - get that kind of experience from a fraternity or sorority.

Response by SPC Richard White made Aug 6 at 2014 4:53 PM

SPC Richard White — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:53:42 -0400

I went to Camp Challenge in 1988 at Ft. Knox and I already had 4 years of JROTC under my belt.I was successful in my leadership roles at Basic Camp.I did not stay a Cadet and I did enlist in the Ca. Army National Guard where I would say my experience as a cadet paid off. I was decorated with the Army Achievement Medal, The Ca. Commendation Medal and the NDSM.Being a cadet is a positive thing

Response by SGT Steve Oakes made Aug 6 at 2014 6:29 PM

SGT Steve Oakes — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:29:08 -0400

My son will start ROTC at the University of Toledo this fall. I am hopeful that his expierance will be as positive and helpful as all of yours were. I have encouraged him to join Rallypoint as well. So that he will benefit from being part of an even larger military comunity than he will find on campus.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 3:29 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 03:29:27 -0400

I was in both the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Civil Air Patrol before enlisting in the Navy, and they both helped me out so much in both Boot Camp, and my overall career so far.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 8:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:55:17 -0400

I can't think of one con to being a Cadet prior to accepting a commission :) Officers need to go through a commissioning program such as West Point, ROTC, or OCS (Federal or State) prior to being commissioned.

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Feb 19 at 2018 4:16 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 16:16:37 -0500

In the recent school shooting in Fla, a JROTC Cadet wanting to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was killed by the assailant while placing himself in harm’s way between the assailant and dozens of Students and Teachers. His act of courage was above and beyond anything expected by a student, and was motivated by his deep respect for our military and his ambition to be an Army Officer. The question is: Knowing this, would it be feasible to have members of the Armed Forces and other Veteran Groups voluntarily attend the funeral in full dress uniform as a show of humble respect for one who looked upon us as a corner stone of his future?