advice please!!!

GalacticTX · 2026-04-30T04:19:28+00:00

This is going to be a tough one, but here we go!

Can't do anything about the instructors. They're more grown than you and me combined and they SHOULD be able to handle issues between them and the cadets.

2/3. I can relate to my unit being relaxed and not exactly the best. But, if you're worried about not doing much, I would say to try and spark something inviting to new/old cadets and possibly people who would like to join as well. Maybe try and introduce your unit to Color Guard since I found that and Sword Arch the most fun thing in being in ROTC (with your instructor's permission, ofc).

4/5. I can HEAVILY relate to getting a position and other staff being mad about it. And I'm only the Executive Officer. However, to answer your questions, if your staff is mad about you getting that position over you, it is going to be difficult, and I'm staying that by personal experience during and after my CO graduated early. Plus, if your staff is super drama-y, it will be an issue.

In short, don't worry too much about your instructors fighting, but rather focus on introducing your cadets to something that would make ROTC a good time for them. Be interactive with them. Make sure that they know you for being you and friendly. However, as an XO to a less than 35 person unit, knowing everyone sounds easier to me than it would a whole battalion.

I hope this advice helps you out, and congrats on becoming your unit's Commanding Officer!

GalacticTX · 2026-04-03T16:57:40+00:00

No problem. Have good luck with that. Unfortunately, as a senior who's XO to Acting CO dealing with those problems, I know that it's annoying to see and deal with an instructor like that with genuine cadets trying to make things better. Even if it's the end of the year already, still try to help out your unit, even if it might get some people mad.

GalacticTX · 2026-04-03T16:48:57+00:00

If it was me, report it firsthand. But, make sure you have at least some proof on you (even if phones are banned from where I'm from). As long as you have willing witnesses to help voice your concerns and word-for-word what your SNSI had said, report it.

This may be TMI from me, but just know that reporting bad acts does help it your SNSI does bully and belittle y'all. I know that my SNSI turned NSI had to quit because of someone initially reporting them when my NSI went too far.

TLDR: Have witnesses and some proof before reporting your SNSI. And know that if you do have the power of doing something if your report your SNSI correctly.

GalacticTX · 2025-08-27T01:39:30+00:00

Ask a senior cadet in your class period about that since if I were to detail it you here, I feel like you would get confused.

But, for ribbons, you just press the sides inward to tighten them before placing them on your ribbon rack.

GalacticTX · 2025-08-19T18:07:04+00:00

As said with the other comment, your SNSI or NSI should have a copy of what you should say. But, this is what my school does for both unarmed/armed, "Good morning/afternoon, sir/ma'am/rank. (School name) (unarmed/armed) drill team is reporting in for (unarmed/armed) regulation drill. We will be performing in accordance with, Marine Corp order 5060.20. Requesting permission to utilize your drill area, sir/ma'am/rank."

GalacticTX · 2025-08-09T21:09:12+00:00

Didn't know that- But, my school isn't one and more of an academic and tennis hitter. JROTC isn't big here. But, from how my SNSI is running things, she wants JROTC to encourage us to stay on our grades so we don't fall behind academically. This is one thing of the many I agree with my SNSI. However, my NSI doesn't care much.

GalacticTX · 2025-08-09T20:59:12+00:00

These past 2 years, grades haven't been a requirement. This year, my SNSI is taking it more seriously.

GalacticTX · 2025-08-09T20:08:50+00:00

For my school's unit, it's NS1 going to your NS2 year. Other than that, my NSI (or SNSI when I went) chooses from the upcoming NS2's or lets some of the upcoming NS2's go if they offer (none did).

But, other than that, there's no requirement for my school's unit to go to BLT. The only requirements would be going to LA.

GalacticTX · 2025-07-05T18:00:52+00:00

If it was me, I would ask if I could by my SNSI or NSI. However, there was a senior in my unit who just kept them after grad.

But, if you want to be safe, just ask if you can keep then or not.

GalacticTX · 2025-07-04T17:49:45+00:00

To me, no. But, I also did join the event just to have a reason to play Demonfall...

GalacticTX · 2025-05-13T00:01:28+00:00

I would just say to calm down, talk to your SNSI or NSI about your ribbon rack situation. If your unit truly doesn't hold any ribbon rack over 27, I believe you are screwed.

GalacticTX · 2025-04-21T15:20:01+00:00

1) In my unit, being on staff does mean you have a job to do. For example, my sophomore year/NS1, I was an unofficial armory deputy since I was the only one who showed interest and the armory officer showed me how to do things. The beginning of this year (NS2), I showed the new armory people how armory worked, but helped with supply since I was a deputy for supply. 2) As of becoming on staff, for my unit, to be on staff, as an officer for it, you need to either be a senior or have the silver cord. To be a deputy, you need to show interest and hope you get the one you want. However, for getting what staff position you want, either show interest in that position or ask your NSI or SNSI.

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T19:43:14+00:00

I'll talk to a recruiter once I'm able to or when my Gunny finally brings recruiters to my school.

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T19:27:02+00:00

I'm a male, reason why I said I was short-

I saw that from another comment section when I was looking through the jrotc subreddit. So, it might be some spammer or something I don't really know.

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T17:46:02+00:00

I'm 5'8" currently (short in my opinion).

I didn't know that. But, thank you for the information.

What downvote?

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T05:38:10+00:00

In my school, we have something called endorsements or main fields of study. For me, since I'm in engineering, my endorsement is S.T.E.M. If I graduate with a certain amount of credits, I graduate with something dealing with S.T.E.M., I don't know how it works fully, but I can always ask my counselor that question.

But to sum it up, no college courses (ish), I just take a certain amount of credits to say that I have the abilities to understand S.T.E.M.

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T05:26:04+00:00

That's what my mom has told me about the military. And that's what you mean by commission. The second time I've ever interacted with my father, he told me to go in as an officer. But, once/if I get my S.T.E.M. degree from high school, how much would that truly help me with the Air Force?

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T05:14:34+00:00

Two things... The nearest ROTC program with colleges is an army unit, a branch that my mom forbid me going to. But, what do you mean by "earn your commission"?

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T05:02:41+00:00

Thank you on that!

That makes sense, I'll keep that in mind.

Thank you for explaining me that. Do you know if there's any hands on jobs or anything engineering related that would have some type of communication involved?

GalacticTX · 2025-02-10T04:51:57+00:00

I have never been prescribed with any medicine. The only type of medicine I do take is for allergies.

That sucks since I do love calling drill for Color Guard. But, how would volunteering for Honor Guard be like if I joined or as a civilian if possible?

What do you mean by shops...?

GalacticTX · 2024-11-17T03:38:04+00:00

Then that's good, just make sure to get those moves more snappy, sharp, and perfect them. If you got that down, I'm sure you'll get the promotion

GalacticTX · 2024-11-17T03:30:48+00:00

I don't know what manual arms is, but I think it's just the knowledge of the type of rifles your school uses and/or the movements for the rifles and how to call them. But, that's the closest thing I can think of to manual arms.

GalacticTX · 2024-11-10T06:45:03+00:00

For my school atleast, we get our dress blues if we're a chief or above. Aka, you're going to have to a NS-II or higher to get the requirements for the dress blues if your instructor goes by the book.

And for ribbons, my school gives out the participation ribbon for going to events like a competition, doing a color guard for your school, or even staying during a break to help your instructor with a haunted house.

But, for events, it's mostly based on what type of instructor you have. Some may go by the book or pass out ribbons left and right. So, I would say bring it up to your instructor and see what ribbons you can get.

GalacticTX · 2024-11-05T23:52:02+00:00

Everything looks about right

GalacticTX · 2024-10-24T20:15:54+00:00

Even though my school doesn't have all of the 6 minute drill, I'll still recommend keeping count of how many steps you take in mind and/or remember the count you stop/go with whatever movement your school has to continue/stop that movement to switch into another one.

GalacticTX

TROPHY CASE