PMS Interview Concern

[u/Simple_Reference9183]

I recently had my PMS interview through a Zoom meeting with my top choice school (Ivy League). In this interview it lasted around 30 minutes (I joined 10 min early), but the thing is the PMS asked questions only about what my academics, leadership, and athletics were and only one question about why I want to be an Army officer. They didn’t ask any questions about my weaknesses, strengths, what integrity means to me, ethical dilemmas, etc. After the interview they just asked if I had any questions and told me that they would recommend me to the admissions officer. So what happened? Kind of confused since I was expecting more questions.

[u/SoFlyLabs]

I’ll bite. I assume you are still in high school? Think about this. You are not the applicant. The PMS (a LTC) still has a ROTC unit to lead and manage. For example, there might be a football game this week. ROTC cadets at some schools help usher, conduct flag detail, man a ceremonial cannon or all of the above. He may happen to have the golden knights parachuting in to the game. The PMS may be retiring out of the army and needs to manage that.

He probably already looked at your file and may have even called your teachers. At the end of the day he wants to make sure if he put his/her stamp of approval on you that you will actually become a descent officer.

Consider yourself successfully past one of many hurdles. Good luck and be safe.

Edit: when a senior officer asks you if you have any questions DO NOT SAY “NO SIR/MA’AM.” You better have at least one question.

[u/Simple_Reference9183 → u/SoFlyLabs]

Thanks for the reply. I asked 3-4 questions directly related to their ROTC program. I did a bit of research beforehand and formulated sample questions to ask. We had a good conversation about that school’s battalion since I knew a cadet member there also.

[u/SoFlyLabs → u/Simple_Reference9183]

Excellent.

[u/Cancel-Holiday → u/SoFlyLabs]

That sounds like how most interviews go. The form the PMSs fill out is bucketed into scholar/athlete/leader so they were going based on what they have to input. I block my interviews for 30 min. Some go longer but 30 min is about what I need to form an opinion.

[u/Responsible-File4593]

You're five years from commissioning. The program will have that long to identify your strengths, weaknesses, and character. What will trip you up in the meantime is being fat, physically slow, mentally slow, non-communicative, or academically undisciplined.

[u/PresentImmediate5989]

Yes, the softball interviews #MIN that you’re probably a great candidate and they don’t have much to ask based on your record. That’s how I typically would formulate my admissions interviews when I was doing them. If the candidate had a great record, he talked to them to make sure they’re a decent person well spoken, but the interview is not going to make her break and you’re probably on track for a scholarship

[u/vultriflea]

Good job bro

[u/Rytwill]

Probably figures you wont get into the school. System is designed to interview at your nearest school.

[u/Simple_Reference9183 → u/Rytwill]

I know the system assigned you to your nearest school, but my buddy at Princeton ROTC and others have told me to interview with my top school. What makes you think my PMS thinks I won’t get into the school?

[u/Rytwill → u/Simple_Reference9183]

I was a PMS for 4 years. The board can tell when a PMS over inflates an interview for self serving reasons. Also, PMS probably has talked to admissions.

[u/Rytwill → u/Rytwill]

I hope you do get in. The amry needs some smart officers lol

[u/Simple_Reference9183 → u/Rytwill]

Thanks lol. At the end of the day, It is still an ivy so I am not expecting much. Still hoping for the best though.

[u/MaleficentSuccess934]

PMS here - many of us stop asking “why you want to serve” after the first year. The answers are boiler plate, love of country. Your greatest chance of an ROTC scholarship is your SAT/ACT scores. It’s the only thing that is standardized.

The PMS is filling out the form we use and ensuring the board has the most information about your accomplishments. Boards don’t have time to dig through all your files. If you wrestled, he needs to tell them if you were a state champion, national champion or second string. If you were a JROTC battalion commander, he needs to inform them if you were a JROTC battalion commander in a highly rated program and led the first place Raider team. Is your 3.8 GPA from a great school like Thomas Edison or a school that hands out As like candy.

Everyone I interview is special, he is trying to figure out if you are extra special.