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.
By doing ROTC, you get commissioned without OCS. You do have to do ROTC camp in summer between junior and senior year. Side note, basic and ROTC camp are very different. Basic training teaches you how to perform fundamental tasks as soldier while ROTC camp tests you on your ability to be a leader in textbook combat drills alongside garrison life.
As for time, it is ROTC and reserve unit dependent. When I was cadre at University of South Carolina, some ROTC cadets were able to get exemption based on concurrent training (i.e. ROTC FTX counting in place of drill). Some are flexible while others are not. Keep in mind to be physically fit and disciplined within both your reserve unit and ROTC unit. (Both will do sporadic APFT and drug tests)
UAB - Army ROTC - Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
You may be able to take advantage of a program that allows you to participate in ROTC and enlist in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve at the same time, provided a vacancy exists in either a Guard or Reserve unit. It's called the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), and it means that while you're still in college, you can be gaining valuable experience and earning extra income. In the SMP, you will be paid at the rate of at least a...
If you're a law abiding US Citizen, security investigations are no big deal. For a Secret or TS, you'll have to fill out lots of forms, usually on-line, covering your life for the last 10 years or more. You'll need to enter data on everyplace you lived and every organization you ever worked for. Detailed information on you, your spouse(s), kids, and your parents and in-laws will be required. Overseas travel outside of Government employment (includes military) will be looked at. Associations with foreign nationals will get a close look also. Fill in the forms completely and carefully and keep a copy. At some point an investigator will interview you. Review the forms you completed before the interview so you don't accidently contradict the information on the forms; however, if you discover a mistake, admit it and point it out to the interviewer. Some stuff that is adverse information can slow down and possibly prohibit getting a clearance. Most of it's obvious: bankruptcy, illicit drug use, association with foreign nationals of enemy nations or groups, violation of security laws or rules, felony conviction, DUI, etc. The actual security clearance in granted by a real senior management person, usually a general officer or civilian equivalent. The investigators make recommendations to that person. The senior managers most often go along with the recommendation, but can make exceptions.
If you enlist before attending college, you’re already qualified to enter SMP if you do ROTC.
What school(s) are you looking at?
Drill is only once a month. AT once you contract, I believe can be waived or RST completed if you go to a summer camp with ROTC depending on your commander.
As for what they look for in a clearance they ask about your history and character. To people you lost as references. Plus your family.
Your ability to get one will be entirely decided by nameless faceless people you'll never meet. All you can do is provide the information on the application which is 2 people per location lived, family relationships, and a number of self admission questions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_Corps_of_Cadets
Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets - Wikipedia
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) is the military component of the student body at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Cadets live together in residence halls, attend morning formation, wear a distinctive uniform, and receive an intensive military and leadership educational experience similar to that available at the United States service academies. The Corps of Cadets has existed from the founding of the Virginia...
21 years tomorrow.
I'm just not entirely sure.
You might want to think about this quite seriously....
United States Military Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia
The United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), sometimes referred to as West Point Prep, is a preparatory school for the United States Military Academy (USMA). Located in West Point, New York, its official mission is "to provide academic, military and physical instruction in a moral-ethical military environment to prepare and motivate candidates for success at the United States Military Academy."[1]
All warrants and commissioned in all svcs, as well as, I'd seen, senior enlisted (I'd seen a YouTube video about an Army senior NCO who'd done it, as well as one for a senior USAF NCO) can apply to this, though you typically need to do at least a couple of tours to have a realistic chance, I'd found...I was never able to get it, largely through my own mistakes, poor planning, and sheer ineptitude, which was why I was also trying to educate you that such things exist, as I'd said....
Air Force Institute of Technology - Wikipedia
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education for the United States Armed Forces and is part of the United States Air Force. It is located in Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton. AFIT is a component of the Air University and Air Education and Training Command.
1. It should not be difficult to contract SMP in your ROTC. Some programs may not contract until the beginning of your junior year, but I’ve known cadets to get contracted (being paid) their sophomore year. The best way to get contracted, in my opinion? Don’t chase after the contract and actually care (fully invest yourself) in the program and it’s goals. The Army, and by association your cadre, want dedicated people and not people who say and do what they think they should IOT get what they want.
2. If you decided to commission through ROTC, you will commission just like every other ROTC cadet ever has. SMP only means you are a cadet and a NG soldier at the same time. You will have more responsibilities then other cadets who are not SMP because you will have your NG monthly drills and yearly AT. Since you’ll be dual-rolled does not mean you’ll have the opportunity to shirk in one or the other though. Both must be a priority and that’s where backwards planning will be your best friend.
3. Most of the time, for me, I found my NG drill dates and ROTC events were during the same times. Both command groups were probably using the same planning criteria and this is most likely why they seem to always line up. ROTC was my priority over guard (mostly because I had the option to make up drills with the NG) so I always attended ROTC events and made plans with my NG unit to make up the drills I missed. Again, backwards planning.
4. Everything.