Any advice about Green to Gold? How about versus OCS?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:06:10 -0500

If I reenlist in 2015, Im definitely not staying enlisted. Ive read a little about Green to Gold and spoke to my PL about the program, but Id like to hear some first hand experience if possible of people who have gone through it and is it worth it instead of OCS?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2013 12:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 12:05:14 -0500

CPL,

Good luck with your packet, getting it accepted is actually one of the hardest parts of the process!

As a prior service NCO with a deployment, some of the 'game-isms' of ROTC will drive you crazy. Just play the game and try to contribute when possible. I have only been an Officer for a year and a half but it has been the most rewarding time in my career.

If you have any specific question on the process, or life in ROTC feel free to shoot me a message and I will answer it to the best of my abilities.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2013 7:53 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:53:56 -0500

I believe there is a good amount of information on the different type of enlisted to commissioning programs on http://www.armyreenlistment.com. There's also a lot of great info should you change your mind and stay enlisted.

Take Control of YOUR Career - ArmyReenlistment.com!

10 Years Army Strong for Soldiers and Families

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 11:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:32:59 -0500

Why do you want to switch over to the dark side?

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 24 at 2013 11:14 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 23:14:29 -0500

Have worked as both a JROTC and ROTC instructor, it will be a major transition, especially for someone who has combat and deployment experience, you will see and hear things that will make you want to correct or debunk, but best advice don't do it, just allow it to go forward and then ask your instructor off-line. Many of what you will be taught is book and not reality, but you will know much of that and will also learn doctrine and upper echelon regulations that you never knew existed along the way.

Good luck and keep your head about you.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 25 at 2013 1:50 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 01:50:54 -0500

I was a Sr Military Instructor - how we educate/train officers is completely different than how we do this with enlisted folks.

Are you doing the 4-yr, 3-yr or 2-yr program?

Seniors emulate Bn-level staff/leadership positions/training, Juniors emulate Co/Plt/Sqd-level leadership positions and Sophomore/Freshman emulate Individual/Tm-level positions.

A lot of Freshman/Sophomore-level stuff you'll do will be very familiar - basic military skills - Land Nav, PRT, Wpns, etc.

It's when you get into your Junior year that you'll really see the difference and "Critical Thinking" skills become pre-eminent and where "Labs" are used as vehicles to teach Critical Thinking and Leadership.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 18 at 2014 4:03 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:03:29 -0500

I'm going to piggy back on this thread, I am interested in going Green to Gold for a MBA, so far I have yet to find anyone who has done it, I was told to look into Direct Commision but it doesn't look possible with a BA in Business Administration. I appreciate any help I can find.

To those interested in knowing why I don't just apply for OCS, I figured I'd get my MBA taken care right now while I'm young and still retain some of the basic knowledge from my undergrad.

To anyone with the power to grant a Direct Commision I'd appreciate that as well, lol, that was a joke.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 15:06:11 -0500

SPC Toombes....when I joined at 24, I thought I'd do my 6 and get out. Then, at 27, I thought, maybe I'll just go to OCS. Then, all of a sudden, I thought, let's go Warrant. Later on, around 30, I thought, you know what, Green to Gold, or maybe OCS. Then the requirements changed, and before you know it, here I am at 34, past the age for any of those options to work for me, and without the degree to help me accompish OCS or G2G. What I will tell you is that moving up the ranks, and being a non-commissioned officer is an amazing experience, and like none I'd ever imagined. No one can tell you is it worth it, except for you. But better to try, while you've still got that fire than to woulda, coulda, shoulda your opportunity into nothing. YMMV.

Response by SFC Don J. made Mar 10 at 2014 6:35 PM

SFC Don J. — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:35:12 -0400

I was a ROTC Supply Tech for 5 years. It was interesting watching and listening to the instructors. In the freshman and sophomore classes they did most of the teaching, but in the junior and senior classes the cadets did a lot of presenting and they ran the labs while the instructors stood by to make corrections and grade them. Please don't think I wasn't an instructor also. Who else was going to teach them about logistics?

Anyway, as prior service they are going to expect more from you, both the instructors and your fellow cadets. The prior enlisted I knew all finished at the top of the class.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 7:02 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 19:02:29 -0400

God speed CPL. I'm in the same boat as you, making that transition to ROTC and just from the meet and greets, I'm already feeling a little fish out of water. Do you already know what school you want to go to or made contact with the ROTC company?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2014 8:58 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:58:49 -0400

Well first are you going to the program here at UAA? I am currently in the program as a ms1 which just means it's my first year, but we currently have three cadets who are green to gold. A lot of the cadets are also smp and with the guard. It's definitely a lot different for the cadets that are green to gold just because it's different being in the program than the "real army". They tend to say we do things differently but it's how you need to be taught them for ldac. If you have questions about the program here I'd be happy to answer them. 

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Apr 5 at 2014 12:13 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 12:13:19 -0400

The two men that most influenced me as an ROTC cadet were both Green to Gold cadets. They showed me the ropes early on and I was on a great path. I highly recommend you show these "green" cadets how to navigate the Army - even before they enter it!

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Apr 6 at 2014 9:08 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 21:08:39 -0400

I did Green to Gold 14 years ago as a 11B E-4. I think the hardest part was filling out and completing the packet. I think the amount of paperwork and red-tape involved is actually a test to see who can make it in the officer world.

As for the differences between the Officer and Enlisted side - well, there are more than you can count - but I think the number one difference is the level of accountability, responsibility, and maturing that are expected of an officer - even a 2LT - as opposed to SGT, SSG or Junior Enlisted Soldier. Officers get more leeway on the left and right limits of what they can and can't do, but there is little to no mercy if you screw up. The path is wider, but the consequences for failure are much much greater.

Any specific questions or things you want to know?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 2:35 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:35:33 -0400

If anyone is interested into the ROTC program, I am finishing up with my program. I am a Green 2 Gold Active Duty Option candidate. I was a 68W but now I will be a Quartermaster Officer. It is a lot of work, but if you are dedicated you can get accepted and achieve what a elite few do!!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 6:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 18:11:18 -0400

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member If you still have questions about the program let me know, I have been in it for a year now.