I'm at a crossroads in my military career. What advice would you give between re-enlisting, doing ROTC or working for the Federal government?

2018-05-22T18:03:24-04:00

Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time to read the post. Basically, I am a reservist who is also attending university. I am at a crossroads in the sense that I have a major decision regarding my future. I have been working towards earning a place within ROTC for some time. I have not contracted or anything yet so I still have flexibility in my choices. I have the choice to re-up soon or get out. I want some advice from officers or even upper enlisted on how their experiences have been and if they would recommend it. I am a hard worker and I know that you get what you get out of the military. My other choices would be earning taking an internship with the State Department or another Gov agency. Either way, I plan on serving my country as best I could. If I do plan the ROTC route, I am shooting for Active duty which looks to be of increasing possibility and hopefully within the Infantry or Armor. Whichever has less paperwork. Again, any advice or experiences regarding opportunities and career progression would be greatly appreciated. Any if there is anything I may have missed, feel free to let me know.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 22 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-05-22T18:42:54-04:00

These are my experiences as a Tank PL. The tanks weigh 70 tons and have 1500 HP engines. This puts a lot of strain on the tanks, hence maintenance is an ongoing process. The tanks can achieve 40 MPH due to their fantastic suspension, but this means you have to make decisions quickly. Fortunately, a good platoon knows it's SOPs consisting of a wing man concept to follow the PL and PLSGTs tanks, find suitable terrain to hide the tanks and good fields of fire. The fire pattern SOP is for the outer tanks to fire outside to inward. The middle tanks to fire in the center and work outward. I always divided the engagement area by Target Reference Points (TRPs) which followed the methodology of TRP 1 as the left limit, TRP 2 as the middle, and TRP 3 as the right limit. For example, a tank might report enemy armor at TRP 1.5 at 3000 meters. It was very descriptive and followed the need for brevity. In open terrain, the 4 tanks can defend a mile front. We also use the same formations the Infantry uses. I hope this helps you.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 22 at 2018 6:55 PM

2018-05-22T18:55:33-04:00

What major is you bachelors? You GPA, if you can say, as well? If you want active duty with STE Dept, you should aim for the military attache program, I'll try to send you a link on it. Also, do you only want Army? Mist you go ROTC? Or would you want an OCS or direct commission OIS indoc program? Are you clinical? Are you STEM? You don't need to go Army, also, there's USMC platoon leaders course (PLC) whuc is less well known. The USCG has a scholarship program, also, if clinical, look at USPHS COSTEP an analogue to ROTC and PLC frpew know about, though, if you want State Dept, I'm gathering your not clinical. Also, do you want flight at all? If you go warrant or commissioned, from day onez you need to get a masters part time, minimum, as well as do PME, not solely with Army, but with all svcs, I can show you various programs you can do or apply for. Do a more thorough detailed bio sketch, incl hobbies, interests, reading, sports, martial arts...I was Army ROTC,then went USAF OTS instead, I wasn't enlisted first, you're at an advantage having that before going warrant or commissionee, I assure you. However, to answer your question properly I or others here would need to know much more. Include specific course titles of all sciences or serious major coursework you've taken, OK? Math? Physics? Cejm? Comp sci (CS)? it? The mor you submit, the more background you gave, the more I or others can suggest, you don't have to go Army, you can go interservice, I knew many at USAF OTS who did, one guy even wore Navy enlisted dolphins, I'll send you some material so far as I can, OK? I'd be most eager to hear morez try to be as detailed and specific as possible, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 22 at 2018 6:56 PM

2018-05-22T18:56:17-04:00

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

Look through this, I think you'd find it useful ....

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Sgt Brian Fountaine made May 22 at 2018 7:13 PM

2018-05-22T19:13:43-04:00

Getting info is great. But if you have to ask, maybe your heart isn't in it. Lead, don't follow. Finish school n support the military in any way you can. Not everyone is cut out to serve. (Especially true of my beloved Corps). USMC Sgt. ; Father is Army Officer.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 7:24 PM

2018-05-22T19:24:31-04:00

eyna,
What does your heart tell you? As it was told to me being a servant leader is not about you, but the men and women you are charged to lead. They deserve your very best at all times. It is great that you have so many options and not many people can say that. I cannot speak on ROTC but I do know OCS. Does ROTC use OML to decide the branch you get? Or is it decided by the needs the of the Army?

Response by BG Ivan Denton made May 22 at 2018 9:32 PM

2018-05-22T21:32:08-04:00

My friend, there is nothing like serving in uniform. When I retired in 2016, I continued to serve as a federal employee. I’m thrilled to still serve but it’s different. When you are surrounded by those in uniform with a common purpose, nothing can surpass it.

Response by SFC Terry Mabe made May 22 at 2018 9:51 PM

2018-05-22T21:51:22-04:00

I am a Retired SFC. I did 28 yrs in Army Reserves then went AGR and did another 14 and half. I wish I had went AGR earlier so I could have done 20 active. Something to think about.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made May 23 at 2018 12:40 AM

2018-05-23T00:40:34-04:00

My advice? Keep focused on the 25 meter target and do what your heart tells you.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 23 at 2018 5:40 AM

2018-05-23T05:40:55-04:00

I would not have given up my time in service for anything. As for Ifficer or Enlisted only you know. I was offered throughout OCS, and other opportunities to become and Officer but never felt the calling. For me it was about the Soldiers. Officers are not as close to the Soldiers throughout their career. My decision not necessarily yours. As for Federal Service, I do that now and I will say it can be rewarding but it is nothing compared to military service. You will never find (I will steel some thunder here) a Band of Brothers and Sisters who are together under one common goal willing to put their lives in the line for a belief, Freedom! Thank you for your service. I hope your decision rings true.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 9:33 AM

2018-05-23T09:33:32-04:00

You are already invested in the Army so why get out and reset your clock with another organization? Most importantly, what is your ultimate goal in becoming an officer? If it is for the money, then go for it. If it is because you think they are leaders then I respectfully disagree because the true leaders are the NCOs who execute the mission and lead from the front.

The key here is to decide whether you enjoy the planning aspect of operations or the execution aspect of operations. Moreover, do you enjoy military life? That's perhaps the most important question. Best of luck to you!

Response by SGT David T. made May 23 at 2018 9:53 AM

2018-05-23T09:53:09-04:00

As with anything, it all depends on your view of what is best. In my case, I served 9 years in the Army then got out. I went to college and got a Federal job working for the Army Corps of Engineers. Since then, I worked for some big Army commands and now I am back with USACE. I love working here. I like the work, the pay is good, and the work environment is great. I have progressed much faster on the civilian side than I did on the military side. I ETSed as an E-5. I started as a civilian at GS-05 and now I am a 12. I interviewed for a 13 yesterday (fingers crossed). So, I have had a great civilian career so far.

Either path can be a great or bad experience. I like the civilian side, because if I end up in a bad place, I just apply for a new job elsewhere. I didn't have that option as a Soldier. I had to wait for either me to leave or someone else to leave which could take 3 years.

In the end, weigh your options. See what is best for you given the information you have and then make the decision and go with it.

Response by SPC Nicholas Graham made May 23 at 2018 10:57 AM

2018-05-23T10:57:33-04:00

Re enlist

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 1:34 PM

2018-05-23T13:34:41-04:00

If I was in your shoes I would shoot for ROTC. You said that you were working for a spot there and it sounds like you've either got the spot or know it's about to be open to you. On the other hand (officers please correct if I'm wrong) being an officer does come with a lot of paperwork so if you don't like it then I would re-up and either go full active and work up the rank or do the Gov agency route.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 23 at 2018 3:21 PM

2018-05-23T15:21:16-04:00

OK, I was enlisted Infantry and Commissioned Infantry and then Branch Transferred to the Engineers when I moved to Kentucky since they had two Battalions of Engineers at the time and were hurting for Officers. Never regretted any of those moves. How far along are you in College? You military service would exempt you from the first two years of ROTC and you could join as a Junior and commission. If you chose to go to ROTC, I would seriously suggest the SMP program, you get some experience, don't lose any TIS and you will get paid as an E5. I assume that you are already taking advantage of GI Bill stuff.
I still have periods when I wonder if I would have been better off staying enlisted, but I enjoyed the physical and mental challenges of being an Infantry Officer and commanding a Combat Engineer Company was one of the best two jobs I had in the Army, the other being Assistant Brigade Engineer. Infantry and Armor are where the rubber meets the road and it's certainly can be a career booster to stay in those branches.

Response by 1SG Jason Rose made May 24 at 2018 12:43 AM

2018-05-24T00:43:43-04:00

Listen to that little voice in your head that guides your actions. It sounds like you are called to serve in one way or another. In life you will have days where you will not want to go to work, have a boss you dislike etc. What keeps you going back to work? Most veterans seek federal employment after they wear the uniform. They use their education and experience to gain that job while still giving back. Think of it as serving is writing your life resume. Federal employment will always be there. Do you want to be remembered as grandpa who works in D.C. or grandpa who was in the military and has cool stories about the things he did? I say so your military time and have no regrets in life!

Response by LTC Jeff McElrath made May 25 at 2018 1:22 PM

2018-05-25T13:22:15-04:00

Retire from the Military as an Officer and then work for Federal Government if still interested. The early retirement that military offers give you financial flexibility with follow on career.

Response by MAJ William Roberts made Jun 3 at 2018 12:35 AM

2018-06-03T00:35:01-04:00

Why not do all 3....Reenlist if there is a nice bonus, minor in military science which keeps you in ROTC for your commission, take it in the Reserves when you graduate and take a job as a GS civilian.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2018 11:42 AM

2018-07-22T11:42:50-04:00

I know it a bit late, but I wanted to thank each and every one of you for you contributions. They were definitely valuable and I read through them almost every day. I will definitely consider them all.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Aug 15 at 2018 8:44 PM

2018-08-15T20:44:06-04:00

I only had two regrets about my 26 years of service: never going to OCS or Ranger School. There comes a point in everyone’s career when they have to make a decision that either invest the time to finish it or leave the service. The best part of my service is that a check hits my bank account the 30th of every month.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 8:16 PM

2019-02-12T20:16:22-05:00

So what did you decide to do, SPC Private RallyPoint Member?