Does LDAC count as time in service for SMP cadets?

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 02:58:53 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 8:16 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 08:16:20 -0400

Sir, I don't think it does. it didn't count for me.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 25 at 2021 11:51 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 11:51:31 -0400

If you are enlisted taking ROTC as a non scholarship Cadet while enrolled in the SMP program, all of your ROTC time counts as TIS for pay and retirement points. So if you enlisted in the guard to attend school, finished your MOS school and joined ROTC in your Sophomore or Junior year, you should max out the pay scale for O-1 when you commission. That is, unless they are O-1E, which requires over 4 years Active Service or 1460 Points for Reservist and National Guard. Then you are on a separate, but higher pay scale.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Aug 25 at 2021 6:14 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 18:14:50 -0400

Funny you should ask that question. Way back in 1978 or 79 when I was an ROTC cadet at BYU I heard about this new thing called the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). I ran right over to the 19th Special Forces HQ and signed up. I was that much closer to my dream of being an SF professional soldier. Wu-ho, more money, more experience, and time with an A team, can't beat that. I just wanted to learn what I could from the big boys. We had Vietnam veterans with real combat and real jungle time on our teams back then. I didn't care that I was told that it would not count towards retirement or pay.
Well, sometimes big government agencies have a way of changing for the good and 22 years after commissioning I ended up retiring with 24 years of total service. So, yeah it counts, unless they've changed it again.