Am I required to attend basic/AIT as a contracted ROTC cadet?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 22:48:47 -0400

I am currently an MSIII in Army ROTC. I am prior service AF and will contract this week. I was interested in doing the SMP. I was told by a recruiter I will NOT be required to attend BCT/AIT. That recruiter left and the new recruiter told me I will have to attend BCT/AIT. Are contracted cadets required to attend BCT/AIT if they wish to SMP?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 10:52 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 22:52:55 -0400

Nope.

SMP cadets have a specific MOS when they enter the SMP program and it doesn't require BCT/AIT.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 9 at 2019 11:34 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 23:34:50 -0400

You can enlist as a 09R, SMP cadet which does not require BCT/AIT. You will have to go through MEPS again to do that however. Recruiters do not always realize that or may believe they will not get credit for an enlistment. But you do not have to go through IET.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2019 9:00 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 09:00:55 -0400

Both your prior service and your current enrollment in ROTC are exemptions for the BCT requirement for the SMP: AR 601-210, ch 9-14.
However, if you are on a ROTC scholarship, you would forfeit the scholarship to go SMP.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2019 3:18 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:18:39 -0400

I’ll add to the chorus. I’m a prior service SMP cadet and I DID NOT have to attend BCT/AIT.