The Naval Academy Blue & Gold officer program provides a strong network of Academy alumni that the Academy uses as a resource to screen, interview, and support prospective candidates. Why not organize and tap the vast pool of Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) alumni to do the same?
Some NROTC units already have engaged and thriving alumni associations, such as the O’Callahan Society at College of the Holy Cross, but this effort is school-dependent and lacks a formal tie to the Navy and Marine Corps. While patching together a national network of NROTC alums is a large undertaking, it is both achievable and worthwhile for several reasons. The primary one is recruiting. Naval Academy Blue & Gold officers help with this process. But NROTC candidates may have nothing except what their recruiters can tell them, and often the recruiters are enlisted personnel who lack the experience to share information beyond the application process.
In addition, the Naval Academy uses its nationally ranked and frequently televised athletics, museums, picturesque location, and even the Blue Angels–enhanced graduation and commissioning ceremonies to underscore everything it has to offer. In short, the Academy employs a full-court press to attract its midshipmen. Conversely, the NROTC program traditionally piggybacks on the civilian college or university application process. All too often, students become aware of the program only when they encounter their first midshipman classmate.
While NROTC may not be able to forge the same connections as achieved at the Academy, there are opportunities to leverage its relatively untapped alumni pool. We can do better. Much better.
The Concept
Establish an association of active-duty, retired, and honorably discharged NROTC alumni trained to serve as program ombudsmen/ambassadors akin to the Academy’s Blue & Gold officers. The association would complement and augment the current NROTC recruitment process and assist the Navy with NROTC outreach and advocacy. It would be an additional tool in the Naval Education and Training Command’s or Naval Recruiting District’s toolbox to raise awareness of the program and assist in meeting regional and national recruitment objectives.
The association would provide a pool of experienced and successful veterans to assess potential NROTC midshipmen. Promising candidates could meet with (or be interviewed by) these alums—ideally from their target school—to put a face and context to the traditional recruiting brochure or uniformed pitch. An all-volunteer Board of Advisors and regional chapters could help identify candidates and provide in-person or virtual support, such as:
• Attending college fairs with Navy recruiters
• Conducting informational (or even official) interviews with candidates
• Mentoring candidates through the search and application process
• Building a civilian network to assist NROTC units with scheduling and executing Distinguished Visitor lectures
• Supporting junior and high school career day activities
• Presenting scholarship certificates at high schools
• Acting as subject-matter experts for interested parents
Many NROTC veterans (retired and separated) are looking for ways to give back and support both the military and their alma maters. They would love to stay engaged and involved by helping to recruit, mentor, and/or interview candidates who might then follow in their footsteps. The Navy should establish a formal program, sanctioned by the Chief of Naval Personnel, that carries through down to the professors of naval science. It could help with officer recruiting, quality, and understanding.
Authors’ Note: Are you an NROTC alum interested in this initiative? Do you have an idea how to best organize and/or use this type of organization? If so, please contact the authors at nrotcgreg@gmail.com and nrotcmicah@gmail.com.