Podcast Name: ROTC Scholarships
Episode Name: 3. A Parent’s Perspective on the ROTC Scholarship Process
In this episode of ROTC Scholarships, host and retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland talks about a
parent's perspective on the ROTC Scholarship process with John Eddlemon, whose son, Carter, received
an Army ROTC scholarship and a Navy ROTC Marine Corps Option Scholarship; Rob talks to John about
his perspective on the way that parents look at the ROTC scholarship process and kind of the lessons
that he's learned it.
0:47 - Robert introduces John.
1:36 - John explains how his son became attracted to the military how he was not in the military.
4:37 - John explains how did he started learning about the ROTC process and how he finds the United
States of America Service Academy: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/ blog very helpful to
parents.
5:06 - John lays out two strategies that helped him understand ROTC. He spent a couple of weeks
looking through the United States of America Service Academy blog. The second step: learning about the
specific schools that his son expressed an interest in (with the majority of them being senior military
colleges).
5:23 - The blog and people at those schools were great resources in helping John determine the benefits
of the school as well as the differences between the different ROTC service programs.
7:28 – John emphasizes the role that the parents play depends upon the family dynamics and the
maturity and the desire of the candidate.
7:39 - There are several kinds of parents: The helicopter parents and the authoritative parents are two
types who act as advisors and help the candidate organize, prove application. In any case, the candidate
should drive the process.
11:17 - Don't self-diagnose medical issues. A 17 or 18-year-old candidate may not have the full
information on their medical issues. So very important for parents to be involved in that.
12:07 - The two talk about the candidate decision between a military college versus non-military colleges.
14:45 – One of the advantages for senior military colleges for the army is that the candidate guaranteed
to go on active duty if the professor of military science recommends it. And that's not the case with non-
military schools like Auburn or USC.
16:07 - The similarities and differences in the process between the Army and the Marine Corps
applications. The goal of these applications is to try and determine if the candidate is a leader, athlete,
and scholar.
18:13 - The physical fitness test is one of the more important components of the application.
28:24 - John heavily emphasizes that the Marine option path is a little bit different regarding what your
summer obligations are compared to the Army.
29:31 - John talks about the challenges posed by the Covid-19 virus that canceled summer training
because of COVID-19. Maybe some training may be virtual.
31:22 - John recommends starting the ROTC scholarship process earlier. This will help the candidate.
Starting earlier can show great results.
33:14 - John heavily emphasizes that the success of the candidate depends on the parent's supporting
the candidate (be supportive and be involved.)
33:31 – Overall, though, it needs to be the candidate’s decision.