Posted on May 22, 2018
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?
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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.
Officer
11A: Infantry Officer
19A: Armor Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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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.
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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.
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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.
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MAJ Dave Robertson
Sir, I have a question, which is why I hesitated to answer the original poster. Undoubtedly, things have changed over the decades, but I was in the exact same position many years ago at the University of Kentucky. I was an E5 in the KYARNG and considering OCS, but was heavily recruited by the UK Army ROTC department. This was before the days of simultaneous membership, and they were offering to negate my remaining commitment to the Guard if I came into their program at the beginning of my Junior year. I did not immediately respond, so two weeks later they said "we really need veterans, you WILL get an RA commission from us. Again I waited and it was then "..and choice of branch assignment". That was no big deal to me, I wanted Infantry anyway. But my question is, is it still that way today? Will they sweeten the pot for him if need be? Thanks sir!
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CPT (Join to see)
BG Denton good to see you here. It’s been a long time Sir and as always an honor and a pleasure. SPC Matthew R. I agree with BG Denton but with one caveat. It depends on the federal agency you intend to seek employment. By way of background, I served in the INARNG with BG Denton in 1/152 IN when he was Company Commander and I was a 1LT PL, 22 plus years ago. At that point, I joined a select three letter agency where my skills as a soldier and academic were greatly appreciated. I retired from that three letter organization after 21 years of service in 2017. I worked and deployed with amazing people, highly skilled, well trained and extremely dedicated both in my agency and DoD elements. I was able to have the best of both worlds. I retired as a GS-15 (the O-6 civilian equivalent) and as a National War College Grad. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything in the world. Again, I caution you to choose wisely the federal organization you may join as they all aren’t reflective of my experience but my experience was AWESOME! Lastly, I returned to the USAR/IMA in a SOF unit as a 1LT in my retirement, the closest element from which I retired. Good luck in your decision either way I think you’re playing with “Aces!”
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SPC (Join to see)
Hello Sergeant Major,
I ended up joining ROTC at University of California, Irvine and am hoping to receive a commission within the MI branch. Although I am hoping to do Armor and branch detail MI. Mainly want the MI commission simply due to what I am hoping to do after the military which is something in National Security/Intelligence. I really appreciate yours and everyone's response. It definitely helped provide a sense of direction.
I ended up joining ROTC at University of California, Irvine and am hoping to receive a commission within the MI branch. Although I am hoping to do Armor and branch detail MI. Mainly want the MI commission simply due to what I am hoping to do after the military which is something in National Security/Intelligence. I really appreciate yours and everyone's response. It definitely helped provide a sense of direction.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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!
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!
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