How difficult is it to get SMP my sophomore year, and what impact does it have on my ability to compete in ROTC and for commissioning?
-How difficult is it to get SMP my sophomore year? (non-scholarship) and what are the steps to doing so/qualifying?
-When I graduate from college and the normal ROTC cadets commission, can I commission like that also or do I have to go to OCS since I'm prior enlisted?
-How much does drilling/AT actually take away from my ability to compete in ROTC?
-Also, just off topic, what sort of things do they look for in a secret or TS clearance?
Thank you and sorry for so many questions. Even answers on just one or two would be helpful.
If you want Army, and haven't looked at this, trust me, you'll want to look this over, maybe subscribe to their magazine...
Association of the United States Army
Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier
Here's the USNA prep school, I'd already sent the Wikipedia for the USMA one....
Naval Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia
The Naval Academy Preparatory School or NAPS is the preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy. NAPS is located on Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The mission of the Naval Academy Preparatory School is "To enhance Midshipman Candidates' moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the United States Naval Academy".[1]
Here's the one for the USAFA prep school....
United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia
The U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School—usually referred to as "the Prep School" or "The P School"—was established in May 1961. The school's founder and first commander was Colonel Lee Charles Black. It is located on the campus of the United States Air Force Academy near the Community Center. The Prep School's mission is to prepare, motivate, and evaluate for admission to and success at the Air Force Academy. Students at the prep school...
Cadets aren't deployable
No, OCS is a different path to a Commission if you are already a college graduate.
I think you will find that going SMP will give you real world experience in the military, along with Basic and AIT, that will give you an advantage over the non prior service Cadets.
Financially, you can get GI Benefits and get paid for Drills while you attend school. If you enlist in a Guard unit, many states offer tuition assistance to in state colleges.
SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families
SGAUS – State Guard Association of the United States
State Guard Association of the United States