Can I transfer from Guard to Active through ROTC?

2018-07-06T03:57:27-04:00

Last year, I tried out for ROTC with the long-term goal for active duty. But the enrollment officer suggested I join the Guard first, which I did, and I slightly regret. I'm going to try again for 2-3 year ROTC again eventually, and I still want to go active. I know you can do that via ROTC, with a lot of hard work and competition. What all do I really need to do? I also heard not to sign an SMP contract if I don't want to stay Guard. Really, I would've been better off finishing college and go start to OCS. But since I've already been to Basic and AIT, I still sort of don't want to go to something similar to that but on steroids.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2018 5:24 AM

2018-07-06T05:24:01-04:00

So I’m not really sure how the Army side of it works.. but let me tell you this, I’m in the Guard, I’m also in college, and also tried AFROTC. You don’t need to do ROTC. Because you are prior service, you already have the basic training down which is ultimately what ROTC. You learn the basics, marching, military history, the whole 9. And to be honest, as a prior service member, I thought it was a total waste of time because I already knew the information that they were giving. Now that does give an advantage to you, because as a PSM, you have the leg up. Which gives you the opportunity to be a leader in the unit. Ultimately, my best suggestion, which is also what I’m trying to accomplish.. try to go active now. Get your degree online and take your time. The amount of training and experience you’ll gain in 4 years active duty will be far more valuable than 4 years to get a degree. Use your time in active duty to really build yourself as a leader because that’s what the Officer Corps is for, LEADERS. Not fresh out of college kids who’ve never touched an M4 before. Go active, gain experience, be a leader, all the whole obtaining your degree online, graduate, create a package and submit it. You’ll go to OTS for 12 (?) weeks and that’s it, they’re gonna teach you how to be an officer and with your leadership skills it should come hand in hand and you should excel. Good luck in your endeavors.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 6 at 2018 6:03 AM

2018-07-06T06:03:11-04:00

Being prior service will exempt you from the first two years of ROTC, so stay in the Guard, use your GI Bill, most States also offer tuition assistance, and join ROTC your Junior year. At that point, you are competing with everyone else in ROTC for the active slots. You will have some advantages, more military experience being the most important. SMP does not tie you to a Guard or Reserve Contract and it allows you to gain experience in a real unit. So if that is the ultimate goal, my advice is to bust your butt in your current unit so you have good evals and performance records and then expect to do the same at ROTC. Be aware that it still doesn't guarantee an active slot or a choice of branches.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2018 12:12 PM

2018-07-06T12:12:47-04:00

Don’t worry about starting enlisted in the guard and not joining as a freshman MSI cadet— I actually went the same route as you. Enlisted in the guard, joined ROTC my junior year, and was awarded an active duty contract the same year. While being prior enlisted helps with the military knowledge aspect, it generally will not make you more competitive for an active duty contract slot, which from my understanding is your ultimate goal. I would get in touch with your enrollment officer as soon as possible and ask him/her about the assessions breakdown for the year. Basically, it’s a rubric Cadet Command creates in order to rank you against every other cadet. Generally GPA and APFT score are weighed most heavily, with extracurriculars, community service, leadership experience, etc filling up the rest of the rubric. Once you know the OML (order of merit), you can use these this time to prioritize the things that will make you most competitive for a contract. Best of luck, and maintain regular correspondence with the ROTC Program you’re trying to earn a contract with.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 10:09 PM

2018-07-10T22:09:31-04:00

PFC,
I commissioned from ROTC a few months ago. I enlisted and went to basic training after my freshman year and contracted "open"/non-scholarship during the beginning of my sophomore year. If you want the option to go active duty, especially already being in the Guard, DO NOT sign a GRFD scholarship, even if they pressure you into one. The GRFD tells cadet command that you will commission into the guard or reserves for extra money. I chose not to sign this because I wanted the option to go active duty. Originally, I was selected for Active Duty and received a branch I didn't want. Thankfully, I had been in an aviation unit for three years and received a flight spot from them, so I was able to transfer out of active duty back into the Guard. BLUF: If you want the option to become an active duty officer while already being a member of the Guard, ROTC is a great way to go about this. However, in order to be selected for active duty, you need to focus on your GPA, PT, and demonstrate leadership qualities. If you do those 3 things, you will have no problem being selected for active duty. Just be aware that you may have repercussions for not completing your national guard contract when you commission active duty. For example, Ohio paid 100% of my tuition and if I went Active Duty I would have had to pay back a portion of that. If you have any questions about being a SMP cadet please don't hesitate to message me. Good luck.

-Luke

Response by Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 3:06 PM

2018-07-16T15:06:00-04:00

Definitely don’t take any Guard/Reserve specific Scholarships or do SMP. If you contract into ROTC soon you shouldn’t have a problem getting an active slot given the current build up.

Response by SrA David Clay made Jul 18 at 2018 11:02 AM

2018-07-18T11:02:35-04:00

Not sure of Answer to what ya can do. But.. if you are of high enough caliber. Then don't let a re-basic deter you from going through ots. It would be "fun" in only the way a soldier would understand.