Does someone wanting to qualify for SMP have to attend AIT?

2018-10-26T18:42:12-04:00

I've tried googling this question but I wasn't able to find a direct answer. I'm aware that SMP cadets go to basic training, but do they go to AIT as well? I'm just trying to get a feel of how long I'll be gone.

Bare with me please, I know very little about the BT process. For the longest I was convinced I was just going to go ROTC and commission, no alternate turns, but SMP has recently caught my eye.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 6:43 PM

2018-10-26T18:43:28-04:00

SMP cadets do not attend basic or ait.

Response by CPT Griff Tatum made Oct 26 at 2018 6:44 PM

2018-10-26T18:44:20-04:00

An SMP cadet is someone who is already job qualified and has been to both BCT and AIT.

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Oct 26 at 2018 6:57 PM

2018-10-26T18:57:02-04:00

Sr ROTC Cadets who enter the a NG or Reserve SMP program and have not yet contracted as MSIII or MSIVs Cadets, typically will go to BT and not AIT since the SMP program is not MOS producing. You will probably attend Basic on a delayed entry program in the summer between semesters in college. After you complete BT, you should be eligible to contract into the MSIII year (unless you’ve completed MSI and MSII already). You would attend Sr ROTC Advanced Leadership Training the following summer prior to starting your MSIV year of college.

In your MSIV year, you will apply to officer branches on your “dream” sheet. Once the Army Branches you, and you are commissioned a 2LT, then you will attend your Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) in that specific branch which can be 3-4-5+ months long depending on the branch.

Hope that help. Reach back if you have additional questions!

Good luck!

Response by MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP made Oct 26 at 2018 6:57 PM

2018-10-26T18:57:28-04:00

Not sure how it works now, but SMPs were non-scholarship senior ROTC (MS III & IV). Typically that means they were prior service or they joined the Guard and at completed basic training. AIT was not required and probably wouldn’t be authorized unless you had time to attend OSUT.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-10-26T19:08:40-04:00

Private RallyPoint Member Excellent responses have already been provided. If you enter "SMP" in the search bar above, hit enter, and then click on "Answers", you will find plenty of previous Posts that address the SMP program. Good luck.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 26 at 2018 7:58 PM

2018-10-26T19:58:55-04:00

You can also attend ROTC Basic Camp and enlist as a 09R SMP cadet. So you don't actually have to attend basic combat training either. What is it about SMP that caught your eye?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 11:33 PM

2018-10-26T23:33:23-04:00

If you contract with ROTC and then chose to go SMP, you don't have to go to BT or AIT. You just drill as a cadet until you commission.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2018 1:24 PM

2018-10-28T13:24:04-04:00

Depending on the AIT the training could be very valuable to you. There is no substitution for experience and this is your opportunity to gain some. It will not hurt you and should only make you a better officer.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2018 11:04 PM

2018-10-28T23:04:54-04:00

No you do not. It also depends on your ROTC contract.
I was a Scholarship SMP Cadet and Gold Bar Recruiter after pinning.
Basic Camp is usually 30 days but if you have additional training such as Air Assault, CTLT ect; you may be gone up to the entire summer. It really depends on what you volunteer for.

As an SMP Cadet I went to my MSIII camp then Annual Training as a PL which lasted a month being in the field. As an SMP Cadet you have to look at your Company training schedule. I'm prior service so I had a two year scholarship and drilled with an MP unit so your experience may differ.

SMP is a great opportunity but you must be picky on the type of unit you chose to get into.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-10-29T10:19:53-04:00

Well that depends, if you go the enlisted route then yes, you need to be fully qualified in your MOS before you get the enlisted benefits, But you can go the ROTC route initially then join the reserves as a cadet. I would recommend choosing a fun MOS and taking a semester/summer off to complete basic and AIT in the MOS of the unit you want to join. who doesn't want to shoot machine guns and play with explosives....

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2018 8:19 PM

2018-11-07T20:19:08-05:00

no you are considered a 09R, but you need to be contracted also. taking rotc classes does not mean you are contracted.