Turning to the Military for College Education
by Holland McCabe ‘11
It is January 31, 2010 at 11:58 PM, and college is one of the last things on most juniors’ minds. But a few sit in front of their computers with test scores, report cards and lists of their extracurricular activities and awards strewn in front of them. We are waiting for the Preliminary Application to the United States Naval Academy to go online at 12 AM. My little computer clock hits midnight; I hit refresh on my browser and I begin my application.
For myself and a few others in the Class of 2011, our goals for college are to attend one of the U.S. Service Academies or to receive entrance into a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, with its accompanying scholarship. I am applying to the U.S. Naval Academy and for a Naval ROTC scholarship to several universities. I want to serve my country like many of the others applying to a Service Academy or ROTC.
“I want to serve and get an engineering education; both are offered through the military,” said senior Raymond Fanara, who is applying to all five Service Academies and for ROTC as well.
Even though I want to serve my country, I also looked at the quality of education I would be getting through the military. U.S. News & World Report ranks all the Service Academies as Tier 1 Liberal Arts schools, as they all have such a broad and extensive core curriculum despite the emphasis on engineering. Additionally, some of the best public and private universities in the country offer ROTC programs (such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University).
“[I am applying] to shoot things and blow stuff up,” said senior Joseph Karitis with a grin, “But seriously, my entire family has been in the military; it’s what I’ve grown up with.” Karitis is applying for an ROTC scholarship with the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, and hopes to attend either Norwich University or The Citadel, which are both among the few, older private military colleges that provide students an experience rooted in tradition and a life similar to a cadet or midshipman at a Service Academy.
If I am accepted at the Naval Academy, my education is free and paid for by the government. I even get a monthly salary for additional expenses. Similarly, the ROTC scholarship will cover my tuition, some of my books and also provide a monthly salary. But honestly, the free education did not really influence my decision to join the military. It certainly helps, but the chance to serve my country and have a unique career is my primary motivation. Among myself and others interested in a career in the service, I am not unique in this regard.
“For Norwich – yes, I need the scholarship. But otherwise the money did not influence my decision. I would have picked [ROTC] anyways,” said Karitis. Some schools, like Norwich, give students in the ROTC program additional financial aide. For example, Norwich will pay for almost all of a student’s expenses beyond what the scholarship covers, such as room and board.
Life at a Service Academy or in ROTC is also different from the normal college experience. I am prepared for this. I do not mind the discipline or the odd traditions, like at the Naval Academy where plebes (freshmen) cannot use the diagonal walkways on the campus to take a short cut, and they have to walk the long way on the outside of every staircase. All of this is part of what makes the Service Academies unique.
“I believe [life] will be the same despite the fact I’m being told what [to do] at every minute. I will still be away from home and at school, but with a different atmosphere than [a] regular university,” said Fanara.