Hello everybody. I am a junior in high school preparing to apply for colleges next year. I have been involved with the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps and have become very interested in being an officer, particularly in the Marine Corps or the Coast Guard. I noticed that Maine Maritime and SUNY Maritime both have NROTC programs. My question is this: I would like to go to one of those schools and participate in NROTC Marine Option so I can have those two years to decide if I want to be an officer in the CG or the Marines. If I decided, once the time comes junior year to become obligated, can I ditch the ROTC if I decided to become a Coast Guard Officer? And is it different if I earn a scholarship or not? Thank you all so much.
Be aware, as a Merchant Marine Cadet, you will also be appointed a MIDN, USNR and receive Student Incentive Payments (SIP) - which is essentially beer money paid to you by the Maritime Administration (MARAD). In return for Uncle Sam paying you money for going to school to learn a trade considered vital to the National Defense, upon graduation, you agree to apply for a Reserve commission in one of the Armed Services and maintain your MM license for so many years afterward. 95% of most Merchant Marine Cadets seek a commission in the Navy (whose mission makes them have the most vested interest in interoperablity w/ the Merchant Marine during a time of war or national emergency), but I've seen and known individuals who have been commissioned in each of the 5 Armed Services if they ask.
End game = if you are a Maritime Academy Cadet, you could meet your service obligation by applying to the Coast Guard (or any other service) for a commission.
On the other hand, if you are affiliated with the NROTC College Program beyond your first 2 years (assuming you don't get offered a scholarship during that time before that), after your Junior Year in the College Program, you will sign a Training and Service Agreement that esentially obligates to the Navy or USMC upon graduation.
With the CG you will apply for a Direct Commission as a Maritime Academy Graduate. The CG calls this a MARGRAD. To be eligible for this program you will also need your license. You can go to any of the Maritime Academies (Maine, Mass, SCUNY, Texam A&M, California, and Kings Point - I recommend Kings Point). The CG will be interested in the fact that you graduated and that you obtained your Unlimited Merchant Marines License as either a Deck Officer or Engineer.
I am a huge believer in the Maritime Academies. No other place gives you the option of learning about each of the services before you decide which one you want to join. Be careful though. Many services may limit the jobs you are able to do as an Officer if you are a MARGRAD. The service is commissioning you based on the need for personnel with your training and license.
