In this episode LTC Kirkland talks about the Army Early Commissioning Program (ECP) with former Army Captain John Vandivere, who attended Wentworth Military Academy as an ECP cadet.  Rob talks to John about his perspective on the ECP and advice he would give those who are considering the ECP route to become an Army officer.

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This podcast discusses two different topics. The first being Army ROTC Nursing and nursing scholarships. LTC Kirkland talks to a current Army ROTC nursing cadet to get her background and perspective on this program.  The final 15 minutes addresses the public versus private college choice and the ROTC scholarship.

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There are similarities and differences between ROTC scholarship applications and the process of applying to the U.S. Service Academies.  Lisa Hillhouse of Hillhouse College Advising discusses with the host how you can successfully navigate both processes and receive an ROTC scholarship as well as a Service Academy appointment.

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Hillhouse College Advising

Gain Service Academy Admission Consulting Site

ROTC and West Point books 

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program provides youth from ages 12 and up with training in aerospace education, leadership and physical fitness. The experience in Civil Air Patrol enhances ones "propensity for the military" and can help applicants obtain an ROTC scholarship as well as better prepare them for life in ROTC. This episode is an interview with the Director of Cadet Programs for Delaware Wing, LtCol John Lierenz.

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Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Website

Civil Air Patrol Unit Locator

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) physical is a medical and vision exam which evaluates and certifies all ROTC scholarship recipients as either “medically qualified” or “medically does not meet the medical accession standards.”  A scholarship recipient must be DODMERB qualified in order to receive scholarship benefits and eventually commission an officer in the U.S. Armed Services.  In this episode, LTC Kirkland explores this subject with a parent whose son recently went through the DODMERB process.

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DODMERB Website

DoD Instruction 6130.03 "Medical Standards.."

U.S. Service Academy Forum 

Gain Service Academy Admission Consulting Site

ROTC Scholarship Consulting Site

An applicant's parent or guardian can have a vital role in the ROTC scholarship process.  In this episode, LTC Kirkland has a conversation with a parent whose son was awarded both an Army and Navy-Marine Corps Option ROTC Scholarship. This parent gives a number of recommendations on what fellow parents can do to help their son or daughter win an ROTC scholarship.

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The Service Academy and ROTC fitness tests account ten percent or more of the overall selection for an ROTC scholarship. This episode, with military fitness expert and former Navy SEAL Stew Smith, looks at what a candidate needs to do in order to do well on these tests.

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Stew Smith Fitness Website

The interview for an ROTC scholarship accounts for up to 50% of the total points when the military considers a candidate for an ROTC scholarship. The importance of doing well is crucial. This episode looks at how to prepare for and ace the interview and talks with media expert Colonel Lee Reynolds, former head of Armed Forces Network- Baghdad.

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