Posted on Jan 19, 2019
Could I do both ROTC and an MBA program, or should I just attend OCS and do graduate school later?
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Ok, so I am prior service USN, 4 years down 16 to go. I am currently applying for a waiver to commission into the US Army. I also have applied to 3 MBA programs and been accepted to one already.
I guess I just need some career advice. Could I do both ROTC and an MBA program? I know my prior service would waive the first two years of ROTC so it would align with the two year MBA program. However, should I just attend OCS and commission now and do graduate school later? My GI Bill would cover everything with the YRP so money isnt an issue, im also only 24 so time isnt an issue either. If I attended graduate school while doing ROTC I would commission with an MBA and only be 27 with 16 years till retirement.
Help?
I guess I just need some career advice. Could I do both ROTC and an MBA program? I know my prior service would waive the first two years of ROTC so it would align with the two year MBA program. However, should I just attend OCS and commission now and do graduate school later? My GI Bill would cover everything with the YRP so money isnt an issue, im also only 24 so time isnt an issue either. If I attended graduate school while doing ROTC I would commission with an MBA and only be 27 with 16 years till retirement.
Help?
Help
ROTC
Graduate School
Officer
MBA
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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It’s a big choice only you will have to make, so instead of telling you what you should do, I’ll tell you what I did in hopes it can help guide you with your decision. I was once enlisted, got my Undergraduate degree then applied for a commission. Once I got my commission I applied for graduate school (after I was qualified in my job) and got tuition assistance to pay for 75% of my degree. 3 years after I completed that program, I applied for a full-time masters degree program sponsored by the military, which I’m finishing up this summer with only 6 years left for retirement and still have my GI Bill that I transferred to my kids.
The point is, there are many options. I’ve navigated the programs and allowed for the military and my education goals to align. It just takes many hours of knowing the education support programs for your service and how to use them. Good luck!
The point is, there are many options. I’ve navigated the programs and allowed for the military and my education goals to align. It just takes many hours of knowing the education support programs for your service and how to use them. Good luck!
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Yes you can do it during your MBA, but I'd check the MS3/4 schedule against the demands of your MBA program to make sure you didn't cheat yourself on either front.
I have a few friends from college that did that with mixed results.
Best of luck!
I have a few friends from college that did that with mixed results.
Best of luck!
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LTC Eugene Chu
PO3 (Join to see) In addition, be careful about balancing ROTC camp with possible MBA internship. Summer in-between MS3 and MS4 year involves a month long camp for leadership testing at Fort Knox, KY. Some civilian employers may accommodate, but others may be wary to give a summer spot to someone with reduced availability.
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LTC Meloni Beauchamp
If you are well organized, it isn't hard (not fun, but not hard). As I said in my earlier post, my daughter did the ROTC as a non-prior service student while in Law School (and did better than I did as a prior service cadet with my lesser organizational abilities and first generation college student learning curve back when there wasn't the assistance for veterans that thankfully exists today).
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LTC Meloni Beauchamp
As for the Advanced Camp, it can, if absolutely necessary, be done at the end of the MBA, you become an end of camp commissioner.
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I’ve seen it happened! Contact the PMS at whichever school you get accepted for further inquiring.
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