Can I skip the first two years of ROTC because I am prior Navy?

2018-12-17T10:28:30-05:00

As you can see from my other posts im in the process of trying to join the Army. Ive had some issues and road bumps but overall this is really what I want to do. I have a BS and I would like to go to OCS but I am also interested in getting my masters. I am interested in starting my masters degree and doing the two years of ROTC in order to get commissioned. It would give me more time to go through the waiver process as well as get another degree.

I guess my actual question is, can I skip the first two years of ROTC because I am prior Navy? Or would I have to do all four? Any info or tips or anything would be fantastic.

Thanks RP community.

Response by MAJ Michael Roe made Dec 17 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-12-17T10:34:51-05:00

I would think the first 2 years would be waived as prior service of any branch. Worst case scenario is that you may have to take Basic Camp. See the ROTC recruiters at your school.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 10:35 AM

2018-12-17T10:35:14-05:00

The general rule is that basic training exempts you from the first two years of ROTC. You have completed basic training, albeit not Army basic training, so you should be ok. Worst case you could request to go to ROTC Summer Camp which also covers your first two years. I've seen guys do their masters while in ROTC, although that's obviously not the norm and was during the early years if GWOT when the Army needed people more than now. Your best bet would be to talk to the Professor of Military Science (PMS) at whatever university you want to attend and get his advice.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 10:36 AM

2018-12-17T10:36:59-05:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member, the best person that can help you in this instance is the Recruiting Operations Officer (ROO) at the ROTC of the university you are interested in. Go to the university's ROTC page or department and you'll find a point of contact Good luck!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 10:45 AM

2018-12-17T10:45:11-05:00

You can get the 2 year ROTC scholarship and have your commission however rather they put you through CIET, for being prior service in a sister branch you'll need to ask a ROTC recruiter.

Theres a few Military College's that offers an Early Commissioning Program (ECP) That will allow you to receive your commission in 2 years prior to earning a Bachelor's Degree. I would recommend you looking up Marion Military Institute and Georgia Military College.

Also have you look in to the program where Navy can transfer over to the Army's and do WOCS and become a warrant officer in the Army. I would recommend looking into that as an option as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 10:46 AM

2018-12-17T10:46:28-05:00

This is a 2 part answer. First, ask your local recruiter about the simultaneous membership program. Essentially this program will let you join the army reserves And go to college while in ROTC so you will go to basic training and AIT for whatever random army reserve job there is that is in your area closest to your college. The upside is that you will be working with one of the senior officers in the reserve unit to get actual hands on time in the leadership position you'll be in when you graduate. The 2nd part to that is you will have already been to basic training you will be knocking out your time in service while you're in ROTC giving you a pay bump when you get in to the active duty army which you will be able to choose if you want to stay reserve were go active duty at the end of your college.

Now in my experience as a recruiter in the center leader in spend a lot easier to get maps to approve waivers if the individual is willing to go in the reserves 1st and in this situation it would actually be beneficial to you.

Lastly make sure you talk to the ROTC cadet command at your school specifically because every school has different things that they require of people to join and it could turn out that 1 of the things you need is probly a letter of recommendation so if you're with this program then they can vouch for you and those letters will go further than any civilian letter you can get your hands on guaranteed.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Dec 17 at 2018 11:33 AM

2018-12-17T11:33:20-05:00

Best of luck.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 3:49 PM

2018-12-17T15:49:40-05:00

The only requirement for ROTC is the MS3 and MS4 years (junior and senior). Especially since you are prior service no one should put up much of a fight in this area. I do know that some schools have more competitive slots for their contracted cadets so they screen more seriously and often want to see how committed cadets are to the program. They often take into account how early you joined the program. I had prior service and joined my ROTC program in my sophomore year and didn’t contract until the beginning of my junior year. So it’s not just a sure thing you’ll be contracted just by showing up.

All in all, it’s ALWAYS best to just do a face to face with the school recruiter AND the cadre. I had some cadets that were earning their masters as well during their time so it’s not in heard of.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 17 at 2018 5:36 PM

2018-12-17T17:36:50-05:00

A Professor of Military Science can award credit for the ROTC basic course (1st 2 years of classes) based on any Military Basic Training. So Navy recruit training could work. However. for a Masters program, you have 2 years to complete that and the last 2 years of ROTC. Also, the medical requirements for contracting with ROTC are the same for enlisting in the Army. So if you are working on a waiver, you would not be able to contract with ROTC until that is approved. I would also recommend you look at doing ROTC Basic Camp. While Navy boot camp can count, the skills you need as a cadet and then an officer are completely different. So Basic Camp would be a good way to get familiar with being a cadet.