Does anyone know the regulation that covers the National Guard recruitment Initiative called "Simultaneous Membership Program" ?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 11:53:01 -0400

My son has chosen to follow in my footsteps and join the Armored corps. However, he has decided to become an officer immediately rather than wait 20 years. The National Guard recruiters have told him he can join the Guard in the SMP program and serve in the Guard while attending college and ROTC. when he graduates he will be released to commission in the Army. I have served in the Army for 32 years and not that I'm jaded or anything I just know that if you don't have it in writing or have a CLEAR understanding of the REG then at the end of the day you are actually at the discretion of your command or the needs of the Army. So before I allow him to sign into this program, I want to read the REG, However, none of the Recruiters can tell me the number. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Additionally, Is he still eligible to use my chapter 35 benefits while a member of the Guard?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 11:56 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 11:56:37 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member There is a female at my drill base that is currently Air Guard, but attending MU ROTC to commission. I can see if I can find something out from her :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 12:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 12:00:22 -0400

If you search the forums here you will find lots of information about the SMP

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 20 at 2019 12:19 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 20 May 2019 12:19:05 -0400

OK, the recruiter is being generally straight with your son on how things work. If he enlists in the Guard and gets MOS qualified, he is exempt from the first two years of ROTC, can collect GI Bill, most states offer additional educational benefits like tuition, and he get paid for attending Drill. He would then contract as a non scholarship student to ROTC his junior year, then sign up for the SMP program. It offers several benefits, he would get paid as an E-5 for attending drill, he can gain up leadership experience outside of a school environment and he doesn't lose any TIS and would commission as 2LT Prior Service, which is better pay again. The only downside is that you compete with everyone else in the class for the available active duty slots and while you will fill out a wish list of Branches, the active side is needs of the Army just like OCS.

It's been a long time since I was S1, don't know the answer to the last question.

Response by MAJ Anthony Maravola made May 20 at 2019 9:02 PM

MAJ Anthony Maravola — Mon, 20 May 2019 21:02:33 -0400

Over 40 years ago I was on the ROTC staff at Youngstown State University when the OHARNG came up with the idea of the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). I have talked to a number of ANG folks since then an the SMP is still going. Here is the deal. The student agrees to enlist in the ANG while in college and to enroll in the Army ROTC Advanced Course at the same time. The student will serve in the ANG and be paid as a E-5 (I think). The student will also receive an ROTC stipend of $500/month. Upon graduation, and assuming that the student passes all ROTC courses, he/she will be able to pursue a commission in the Army National Guard.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 23 at 2019 9:11 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Thu, 23 May 2019 09:11:53 -0400

Looks like others have already given the regulatory guidance. I'll just chime in to say that I did SMP way back in the day, and believe it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Mine was a bit different in that i joined ROTC first and then the SMP program in my Junior year. Still, it made the academics of ROTC a lot more immediately/obviously relevant. It was also a fairly low stress OJT experience.