Can I still commission through OCS if I drop out of ROTC program?

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 22:12:44 -0400

I voluntarily drop out of my university's Army ROTC program because of personal issues, basically breaking the contract. Can I still try to commission through OCS once I finish university? I am also in the national guard right now and had 4 years of active duty experience prior. Was in my 3rd year into the program before I dropped it.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Aug 25 at 2022 10:42 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 22:42:24 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member should know

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 26 at 2022 7:13 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 07:13:47 -0400

Whether you can or not will depend upon a few factors. Starting with why and how you broke the contract. It seems there is more to unpackaged that would provide a clearer understanding of your situation. There are a couple of NCOs who will pop up and provide you with sound guidance.

The point from me is that you have created an issue where there may not have been one based on how and why you broke the contract.

Why are you listed as potential recruit and you have served?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 26 at 2022 11:11 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:11:28 -0400

That could be tough-services do not like contract breakers- it doesn't show a good picture. Use to be that if you failed your contract, you could be inducted into the Army as enlisted.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2022 12:25 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 12:25:38 -0400

I guess a consideration is if there was any scholarship associated with your participation, or if you were using previously earned GI Bill funding and were basically just attending the program entirely on your funding means without additional funding being given for additional officer commitment obligations at graduation.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 26 at 2022 1:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:03:38 -0400

What will your GPA look like?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 26 at 2022 3:04 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:04:43 -0400

Are you a scholarship Cadet or just contracted because you are National Guard. You were prior service and started ROTC year one?
As far as I can find, resigning your ROTC contract has no penalty as long as you aren't a scholarship student. In your case, it looks like you are almost ready to complete you Military Obligation anyway.
A little more information would help. What year school are you currently? Were you a ROTC scholarship student? Were you on the SMP program? Are you looking to stay NG/Reserve or go back Active?

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Aug 27 at 2022 8:58 AM

COL Jon Thompson — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 08:58:56 -0400

Contact your State National Guard officer strength manager. They can let you know how OCS works for your state. As others have already stated here, you left out some key information. The first question I would ask is why did you break your contract with ROTC? That is a red flag for me. Are the reasons you broke the contract resolved or are they continuing? You want to be an officer but already demonstrated you cannot commit. So if the personal reasons you broke your contract still exist, why do you think OCS would be an easier route? That's my opinion but again, reach out to the officer strength manager to see what your options are. And I would add that if you want to be an officer and leader, you must make sure you are fully committed to those duties and responsibilities. Soldiers do not need an officer who is not committed to them and the unit.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2022 1:14 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 13:14:50 -0400

I suppose it depends on why you broke the contract, i.e. what they would consider hardship reasons. In the past if you resigned, you pretty much barred yourself from a future commission without a waiver process. TBH, I am surprised your unit's admissions officer and/or commander did not give you a counseling prior to signing paperwork that released you from you from your obligation. Usually they would explain whether or not you risk not being allowed back into another officer accessions program. Perhaps things have changed since I had been in school. I was under the impression in either my time in the Army ROTC as a non-contract cadet to being a contract cadet that the only straight forward no penalty release from a contract was due to medical, family hardship or entrance into a service academy.