Posted on Nov 19, 2018
Considering multiple options for future service, but not sure which one leads best to the one I want?
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So I will try to keep this brief but it won’t be. Currently I am in an ROTC program but I do not feel fulfilled. What I mean by this is that I want to be in the army I really want to give back to the country that gave me so much, I am not just in it for the perks. I wanted to enlist out of high school and go to school after but I went to college first because my parents convinced me after I was awarded a really good scholarship (not rotc). I found out recently about the SMP route which has a lot of perks to it I believe but since I’m not contracted, I can’t really do it in the sense that if I were to back out of ROTC or not get active duty, I would be stuck in AR or NG. My main goal is active duty that is what I want. So would it be a horrible idea to just stop school after my sophomore year, enlist into the regular army do my 4 years for example, re-up in the reserve or guard and then do ROTC again, finish my degree and commission? I know it sounds backwards but I truly just want active duty and if I enlist now and get it out of the way I can see if it’s for me or not and if it isn’t I can just stay in the AR or NG and commission with them so I can pursue a civilian career. I know I threw a lot of details that most likely don’t follow any coherent pattern but I’m open to explaining anything you don’t understand thank you. God bless.
ROTC
Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
Enlisted-to-Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Wow, a lot to respond to in this one. Enlisting while you still have a lot of College left? Depends on how strong you feel about your present major and if you are really interested in going it as a final career. I think you will find a lot of officers, including myself, that have not worked in our Majors since college. If that's the case, and I wish I had chosen this route, enlist active duty, do your time and maybe you will have a clue about what you want to do with your life. The upside of that is that your active duty time will exempt you from the first two years of ROTC, you can then join the NG or AR and go SMP, get paid for drill and collect your GI Bill benefit and commission through ROTC. That does not guarantee you an Active Duty slot as a commissioned officer. Oh, and you would end up getting paid as an O1E when you commissioned.
I already had a 4 years degree, enlisted and waited two years before I was asked if I was interested in OCS. I really didn't like OCS and would have gone the ROTC route if I knew what I do today.
I already had a 4 years degree, enlisted and waited two years before I was asked if I was interested in OCS. I really didn't like OCS and would have gone the ROTC route if I knew what I do today.
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LTC Jason Mackay
Nelson Ortiz - was the scholarship you took specific to the school? Did they breach a contract with you by closing down your academic program? Changing schools would make sense to me if the major you're pursuing isn't an option at your current school, especially if the scholarship were portable.
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Nelson Ortiz
So the scholarship is portable sir, it isn’t given by a formal institution but by a 3rd party individual who has given me a scholarship on their own accord. And the program at my school was not formally shut down,however, they let go many professors and the program was completely changed in the direction I was led to be believe when I applied. I am in my sophomore year and they changed it at the end of my freshman year abruptly.
LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
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Nelson Ortiz
CPT Lawrence Cable
I would definitely look into the dependent part of what you said because anything I can do that would take the burden off them both would be amazing. My brother is only 7 and he has Autism and my mom works her but off for us and to provide, I truly just want to make her life easier. For me, the biggest thing is actually pulling the trigger. Right now I am a sophomore and it’s my first year of ROTC I didn’t do my MS1 year because my mom would’ve had a heart attack because she doesn’t really understand that it isn’t the real military in the sense that they can ship me off somewhere. I’ve spoken to a recruiter but he just kind of told me what I wanted to hear and I know the deal with some recruiters already. I just at the end of the day want what is best for my family and then myself like everyone does and I want to make sure I put my self in the best possible position for success. Also, just to add I am not a bad student either I have a 3.58 gpa and I take my studies very seriously so I know I can take my grades and course work and hopefully another school will see that too.
I would definitely look into the dependent part of what you said because anything I can do that would take the burden off them both would be amazing. My brother is only 7 and he has Autism and my mom works her but off for us and to provide, I truly just want to make her life easier. For me, the biggest thing is actually pulling the trigger. Right now I am a sophomore and it’s my first year of ROTC I didn’t do my MS1 year because my mom would’ve had a heart attack because she doesn’t really understand that it isn’t the real military in the sense that they can ship me off somewhere. I’ve spoken to a recruiter but he just kind of told me what I wanted to hear and I know the deal with some recruiters already. I just at the end of the day want what is best for my family and then myself like everyone does and I want to make sure I put my self in the best possible position for success. Also, just to add I am not a bad student either I have a 3.58 gpa and I take my studies very seriously so I know I can take my grades and course work and hopefully another school will see that too.
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LTC Jason Mackay
Nelson Ortiz - they changed my curriculum at the end of my junior year. They discontinued a course that was in the published degree plan which I entered under. We reached a mutual agreement on a substitute course so I could graduate and they'd be rid of me. They have to work with you on a degree plan as long as you were holding up your end. Some would say, meh, you were only starting your sophomore year. But if they play musical pre-reqs, zero out a core class you just took, or change the configuration of electives after you are rolling there needs to be an engagement between you, your advisor and possibly the department chair. Regardless of your choices, get your new degree plan locked down in writing
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Nelson,
PM me I'll tell you some things i went through. which ever choice you make you will need to do it for your own reasons.
Jon
PM me I'll tell you some things i went through. which ever choice you make you will need to do it for your own reasons.
Jon
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Finish your college (get it out of the way) then enlist in whichever service branch appeals you the most. While you are at it, get do PT and study for the ASVAB. You will be surprised of how many college graduates cannot get a high ASVAB score.
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