During operation Desert Storm, were SMP ROTC cadets were brought to the front lines to experience combat?

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:56:50 -0500

I saw this dumbass comment somewhere on Facebook saying ROTC cadets got to partake in Operation Desert Storm to see what it is like to lead in a combat environment. I believe this is clearly bullshit, because cadets are non-deployable. Can anyone vouch for this stupid ass bullshit comment or am I just not researching hard enough? Thanks!

Response by SSG William Jones made Dec 2 at 2025 9:55 PM

SSG William Jones — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:55:55 -0500

Like you, I believe this is a complete fabrication. What I DON'T understand is what purpose does this even serve? Why perpetuate such a barefaced crap casserole like this in the first place???

Response by SGM Jeff Mccloud made Dec 2 at 2025 10:13 PM

SGM Jeff Mccloud — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:13:30 -0500

One SMP, SGT Joseph Bongiorni, from WVU was able to volunteer to deploy with his USAR unit and was killed in action, not sure how they skirted the reg, or how no one noticed..

Cadets cannot deploy, and ROTC dets cannot be shut down to deploy cadets short of a total mobilization (minus the academies and senior military colleges).

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Dec 2 at 2025 11:45 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 23:45:29 -0500

No, this would likely not be true. I was in AFROTC at the time Desert Storm took place, and I still recall watching it on CNN alongside other cadets from both the Army and Air Force ROTC at my university. However, there could have been some NG/Reserve enlisted troops, who were both enrolled in college and ROTC, but not contracted (i.e. 1st/2nd year cadets), that could have potentially been recalled to join their unit. Note, active duty enlisted must separate to join an ROTC program and contracted NG/Reserves are non-deployable. However, this would be a rare occasion, I would imagine, but noting your premise; "ROTC cadets got to partake in Operation Desert Storm to see what it is like to lead in a combat environment..." that would never happen. Nor does it need to happen. This is what training is for.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 3 at 2025 7:27 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:27:59 -0500

Nonsense...

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 3 at 2025 8:19 AM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:19:12 -0500

Not entirely BS. As SGM Jeff Mccloud pointed out, exceptions existed for certain cadets who were also members of a reserve unit.

Prior to the RC and accession changes implemented by the Army in 2005*, ROTC cadets who belonged to a reserve unit weren't specifically fenced off from deploying if their unit deployed. Since the change, all contracted cadets (which would include anyone in the SMP) and non-contracted cadets, who have completed their first semester with ROTC, are non-deployable (as an aside, Duke also details a couple of ROTC cadets who deployed with their units during DS/DS*).

What is BS is the assertion that it was a ROTC program that was implemented to give leadership experience to their cadets (much like saying the reason there are no polar bears in Florida is because of the alligators).
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* DA Memorandum - Mobilization of Reserve Component Member Cadets in U. S. Army Cadet
Command (USACC) - https://www.ship.edu/globalassets/rotc/hqda-g-1-memo-dtd-20050830.pdf
* Duke Army ROTC History - https://arotc.duke.edu/our-history

hqda-g-1-memo-dtd-20050830.pdf

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Dec 3 at 2025 9:02 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:02:26 -0500

Do not know about your question, but your language and deportment do not indicate an officer and gentleman. Did you have couth classes in ROTC? I recall they were in the MS III year when I went through.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Dec 3 at 2025 2:44 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:44:32 -0500

Keep in mind that "deployable" wasn't even a concept until Desert Storm. Yes deployments took place, but the word itself was seldom used.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 3 at 2025 7:37 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:37:00 -0500

If someone has only been a cadet, they have no MOS or branch and would only be of value during desperate times as cannon fodder. Desert Storm was not one of those times.