Posted on Apr 1, 2018
Can I enlist in the NG and use my GI Bill for a 2-yr Post-Bacc Program? Can I pursue a two-year ROTC program while in the Post-Bacc program?
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About to graduate with a Bachelors in a few months. After graduation I do plan on taking a yearlong break and hope to go back to school for a two yearlong Post-Baccalaureate certificate/program (similar to grad school). The program is for completing pre-med courses for med school.
The Post-Bacc program is a bit expensive and I don't think I'll be paying it without getting a loan; which is something I wish to avoid. I was wondering if enlisting into the NG during my one-year break would be a logical option to redeem the GI-Bill benefit to help pay for the Post-Bacc Program. Second question I have is if I am able to attend a two-year ROTC program while also attending the two-year Post-Bacc program. Would this be a logical route for my situation in order to become commission as an officer?
The Post-Bacc program does require me to take courses over the summer. From my understanding the two year ROTC program at my University requires us to attend a four week Cadet Initial entry Training course (CIET) over the summer; unless “You are currently serving in the Army Reserve/ Army National Guard”. So there is a time conflict there if I do not enlist in order to avoid CIET so that my Post-Bacc program goes smoothly and to graduate on-time.
I was planning on just Enlisting during my break for the benefit of serving my country and for the GI-BILL and had no interest in commissioning as an officer. But after further research and advice from my recruiter, commissioning as an officer would be a smarter route to go considering whether is is after enlisting or going straight to OCS.
I heard OCS was a lot faster but I don't mind doing ROTC for two years while pursing my POST-BACC certificate which is also two years..
The Post-Bacc program is a bit expensive and I don't think I'll be paying it without getting a loan; which is something I wish to avoid. I was wondering if enlisting into the NG during my one-year break would be a logical option to redeem the GI-Bill benefit to help pay for the Post-Bacc Program. Second question I have is if I am able to attend a two-year ROTC program while also attending the two-year Post-Bacc program. Would this be a logical route for my situation in order to become commission as an officer?
The Post-Bacc program does require me to take courses over the summer. From my understanding the two year ROTC program at my University requires us to attend a four week Cadet Initial entry Training course (CIET) over the summer; unless “You are currently serving in the Army Reserve/ Army National Guard”. So there is a time conflict there if I do not enlist in order to avoid CIET so that my Post-Bacc program goes smoothly and to graduate on-time.
I was planning on just Enlisting during my break for the benefit of serving my country and for the GI-BILL and had no interest in commissioning as an officer. But after further research and advice from my recruiter, commissioning as an officer would be a smarter route to go considering whether is is after enlisting or going straight to OCS.
I heard OCS was a lot faster but I don't mind doing ROTC for two years while pursing my POST-BACC certificate which is also two years..
ROTC
Enlisted-to-Officer
Commission
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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I would say you have some flexibility, but that ROTC doesn't sound like the exact fit for you. The first reason I say this is the required summer training for ROTC. The second is that although technically a program that can be completed in two years by prior service Soldier, I've seen E-5s struggle with doing so, let alone a recent enlistee.
Depending on your state, enlisting in the National Guard may give you free tuition to State Schools, or some other set of benefits. OCS is an option if you really want a line commission, but honestly, it's probably a lot of time and training that is not oriented towards your end-state goals.
Since you are looking at a post-bacc for pre-med, I would say the most obvious rout to commissioning would be looking at a direct commission as a medical officer. You can direct commission as a 2LT for your time in medical school, and direct commission as a Captain upon graduation as an MD/DO.
Enlisting as a medic (checking the box of EMT and experience often suggested for medical school application), using education benefits, then looking at the Health Professions Scholarship (HPSP) or application to the Uniformed Services Academy of Health Science (USUHS) would probably maximize your access to benefits and streamline your overall goals, enabling service, benefits, a commission, and all in the pursuit of good medicine.
Depending on your state, enlisting in the National Guard may give you free tuition to State Schools, or some other set of benefits. OCS is an option if you really want a line commission, but honestly, it's probably a lot of time and training that is not oriented towards your end-state goals.
Since you are looking at a post-bacc for pre-med, I would say the most obvious rout to commissioning would be looking at a direct commission as a medical officer. You can direct commission as a 2LT for your time in medical school, and direct commission as a Captain upon graduation as an MD/DO.
Enlisting as a medic (checking the box of EMT and experience often suggested for medical school application), using education benefits, then looking at the Health Professions Scholarship (HPSP) or application to the Uniformed Services Academy of Health Science (USUHS) would probably maximize your access to benefits and streamline your overall goals, enabling service, benefits, a commission, and all in the pursuit of good medicine.
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Timmy Dang
Oh you are right, there is a 4 week four-week Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) during the summer for the last two years of the ROTC program.
For the HPSP scholarship, to my understanding there is a minimum commitment of 8 years after residency, four of which has to be done Active duty correct? Or can it be done in 4 years of reserves and+ 4 years irr?
If I were to go the ROTC route will I have the option to commission as a reserve officer in the NG instead of going Active duty? or is there a mandatory 4 years active duty?
Commissioned Officer commitment after ROTC:
4 years Active Duty / 4 years IRR
or
8 years Reserve or National Guard
Correct?
For the HPSP scholarship, to my understanding there is a minimum commitment of 8 years after residency, four of which has to be done Active duty correct? Or can it be done in 4 years of reserves and+ 4 years irr?
If I were to go the ROTC route will I have the option to commission as a reserve officer in the NG instead of going Active duty? or is there a mandatory 4 years active duty?
Commissioned Officer commitment after ROTC:
4 years Active Duty / 4 years IRR
or
8 years Reserve or National Guard
Correct?
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2LT (Join to see)
Timmy Dang - HPSP requires a year of active service repayment for each year of scholarship taken (with a minimum of two years). I've not seen anyone do time in the RC for initial repayment, but I would defer to a current AMEDD recruiter/official on that one. I am not sure if there would be a way to negotiate reserve component repayment or not. If it were done, it would likely be more years of reserve repayment than active, as with ROTC.
ROTC can be used to commission in the Active, Reserve, or National Guard. Taking a scholarship incurs 4 years of active or 8 years of reserve component repayment obligation.
It would require you completing a education delay request to attend medical school instead of starting your BOLC and repayment. It would be theoretically possible to select guard/reserves, go to BOLC after commissioning during a gap year, then serve as a RC officer in a basic branch while attending Medical School. It would take some real time management to accomplish, but few things are impossible.
ROTC can be used to commission in the Active, Reserve, or National Guard. Taking a scholarship incurs 4 years of active or 8 years of reserve component repayment obligation.
It would require you completing a education delay request to attend medical school instead of starting your BOLC and repayment. It would be theoretically possible to select guard/reserves, go to BOLC after commissioning during a gap year, then serve as a RC officer in a basic branch while attending Medical School. It would take some real time management to accomplish, but few things are impossible.
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I’d go the ROTC route. Because Idk if that year of being in the Guard would really qualify you to get much out of your education benefits.
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If you want to commission, do whatever it takes Timmy Dang Find the path that makes the most sense but get on it immediately. Make that decision today!
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