Some additional shots
- I had aviation command. I still think that all flyers need to have a deep and abiding appreciation, respect, and some knowledge of surface warfare.
--Getting it is possible and affordable.
--Making all USNA grads spend 9 months to a year before attending flight school aboard a ship was a bad solution. So, therefore, USNA/NROTC mid cruises will have to cut it, Mr. Wilkins. :icon_rage
- All the academies are sacrosanct and may not be criticized except in informal internet discussion forums.
When working Navy budgets, they get pretty much lenient treatment. However, what can be introduced is a logic train which asserts if the USNA formula is so perfect and worth about a quarter million per grad in cost, then there are parts of that same formula which can be affordably implemented in NROTC.
-- How about these parts to emulate:
--- Bigger stipend for 48 months; only interrupted when on active duty for summer training.
--- Room & Board plus tuition, fees, and books for 4 years.
--- Four mid cruises beginning after the NROTC freshman year and finishing after the 8th academic semester. The composition could pretty much correspond to the USNA summer training regimen- from Plebe summer to 1/c cruise. This could be formulated and avoid having to build another Bancroft/King Hall complex.
--- Obligated service, pretty close to the same as for USNA grads.
-- Interesting metrics to look for:
--- 10,000 applications for NROTC scholarships.
--- 4,000 make the first cut.
--- 900-1000 get the scholarships.
- Closing comments.
-- I hold Officers of Marines in high regard, all of them.
-- I hold Navy CPOs in high regard as well. Making them Surface ship DivOs is a bad idea. (Not for this thread. Maybe another thread.)