There has been a lot of great information and discussions lately about Summer Training Programs and the how the OML works. A lot of discussions have been geared toward how to succeed in ROTC. This is all helpful to prepare this years future cadets for next year.
There is however one thing I feel needs to be addressed, that is college drinking. We all want to believe that our kids will be responsible when they get to college, that they will understand the consequences of drinking. That being said, drinking happens at college, most colleges at least. I just wanted to reafirm what can happen.
Cadet Command has adopted a Zero Tolerence Policy toward drinking infractions. There are several infractions a young college student can receive. If the student is underage they can receive citations for MIP (Minor in Possession) MIC (Minor in Consumption) meaning if the campus police stop you and you have been drinking you do not need to be in possession to receive a citation. If you receive either of these citations you will most likely be disenrolled from ROTC. Once you turn 21 you can sill be cited for having an open container in public.
If this happens during your freshmen year you have no obligation to repay your scholarship. If it happens from your sophomore year on you will have an obligation, you will either pay back your entire scholarship or will be required to enlist if you can receive a waiver for the infraction.
This year at my son's battalion a MS4 received a DWI for .082 over the Thanksgiving Break. He sweated for a month while the cadre sent in a waiver request. The request was denied. My son said it was tough, he was with him when he found out, the cadet broke down and cried, it was the end of his dream. The cadet had to wait another 3 months to find out what the Army was going to do with him, he had requested enlistment. In the end he was allowed to enlist to fulfill his obligation, had he been required to pay back the scholarship he would have owed just over $100,000.00, that would have been a very expensive DWI.
Do not take this lightly, campus police look hard for underage drinking and they will cite you for a first offense.
The best advice, Don't Drink. As a parent I am also not naive, if you drink, don't leave where you are at, don't walk outside with a beer in your hand. If you are at a party or a Fraternity and you have been drinking and the party gets loud and the police are called, they can test everyone for alcohol and give citations to those under age. So again, the best way to avoid this problem is not drinking. Be smart and be aware that one slip up can cost you everything. Once you turn 21 Do Not Drive when you have been drinking, even if you think you feel fine, it is not worth the risk.
Your cadre will tell you all about the regulations regarding drinking, basically. don't do it, it is not allowed.
A lot of young people choose ROTC because they want the traditional college experience but remember, you are under the same moral obligations and requirements as cadets at West Point.
Be Safe, Be Smart, and Be Careful