Do SMP cadets get TIS/retirement years for their time in ROTC?

2LT Ian H. — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 09:41:54 -0400

I swore in Jan 2017 as a 35F enlisted, but joined ROTC at my college Sep 2018. I am a contracted SMP cadet in my MSII year drilling with a Reserve unit in Vermont. I am receiving the GRFD scholarship. My question is whether I will have contiguous TIS from Jan 2017 to when I commission (MyPay says ROTC time is not creditable TIS). I suspect that since I am actively drilling, the answer is yes, but I am unsure. Also, when I graduate from college, will the time I served before entering ROTC count toward retirement?

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Oct 8 at 2019 9:48 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 09:48:37 -0400

They did, I did, you should!

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Oct 8 at 2019 9:48 AM

COL Dana Hampton — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 09:48:59 -0400

ROTC time is not creditable service, in and of itself. If you are a simultaneously contracted with a Reserve Component (USAR or NG) as an SMP Cadet or drilling member while also taking Senior ROTC courses toward a commission, that time in service is credited as points toward retirement. That said, you still have to earn a minimum of 50 points in a year to have it credited as a good year for retirement.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Oct 8 at 2019 10:00 AM

COL Dana Hampton — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 10:00:19 -0400

To the 2nd question, time served before entering ROTC will still count for retirement computations. If you were Active Duty prior to entering ROTC, your will earn 1 point for each active duty day served. If you were in a Reserve Component, then 1 point accumulates for each UTA served and 1 point for each active duty day served. If you took distance learning courses as a Reserve Component member, you may also be eligible to file for additional points with your graduation certificate or 1059 as proof. Check with your unit S1 for assistance with getting correspondence or distance learning points added to your RPAM statement.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2019 12:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 12:49:37 -0400

SMP Cadets time does count for Time Served in USAR and for Pay purposes; however, if you are assessed Active Duty, it will only count as time for pay and not for AD retirement.

Lesson learned though-if you are out on any orders in the USAR/NG; and you keep those as well as any AD Schools-when you retire AD they will count that time towards AD retirement. Pretty cool!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2019 3:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:36:04 -0400

If you are accessed back onto Active Duty, and you're referring to an AD retirement - as opposed to an RC retirement, your SMP time counts for pay. ROTC itself does not count for pay, your contract with a reserve component is what grants your time for pay. The AD time you served prior will also count towards your 20 years till AD retirement. Plus any AD time you may serve while on SMP such as AT or ADOS will be counted towards your AD time.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 9 at 2019 12:59 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 12:59:56 -0400

I am pretty sure your time counts. You should commission as a 2LT with those years of service which will provide a higher pay than a 2LT who didn’t enlist.

Response by COL Mike Walton made Oct 10 at 2019 2:33 PM

COL Mike Walton — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 14:33:01 -0400

ROTC time, no. SMP time, yes. I have two years as a SMP Cadet added to my retirement line. The two other ROTC years, don't count for anything but a great time.

Response by SP5 Joseph Ascanio made Oct 11 at 2019 6:29 AM

SP5 Joseph Ascanio — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:29:49 -0400