I took the DLAB today and got a 99. I’m interested in 35M, but I’m torn between enlisting or doing ROTC in college first. Suggestions/tips?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 22:24:19 -0500

I took the DLAB today and got a 99. I’m interested in 35M, but I’m open to similar jobs as well. But, I’m torn between enlisting or going through an ROTC program in college first. Any suggestions/ tips?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 10:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 22:29:18 -0500

Go to college. Major in a CAT 4 language. Try going all source first then try to go HUMINT Officer if you feel college is for you.

Response by MAJ Robert Schuerman made Nov 26 at 2019 10:31 PM

MAJ Robert Schuerman — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 22:31:57 -0500

Well, here my two cents. If you could get a full ROTC scholarship, I say go ROTC and then go in as a 2LT as your military experience will be vastly different than being an enlisted soldier. If you didn’t have access to the scholarship, I would then say go in as an enlisted soldier and then get out and go to college using your GI Bill benefits so Uncle San could pay. This is all assuming that you don’t get a degree while you’re still in the Army. But either way the military can be a good starting point to your future as an adult.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Nov 26 at 2019 10:41 PM

LTC Wayne Brandon — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 22:41:45 -0500

Justin,
You will likely get a myriad of answers to this question and ultimately you will decide on your own which of them is right for you.
I was faced with the same question and tackled it in my junior year of high school by enlisting in the delayed entry program. The year was 1968.
I wanted the Infantry with the goal of being a Drill Sergeant, then to head off to OCS or Army ROTC.
Upon accomplishing my enlisted goals I terminated my enlistment and re-enlisted in the ROTC.
I secured my degree and a commission through in 1974 and enjoyed a long career as an officer.
Having lived the life of an enlisted man and NCO I acquired the knowledge of what that life was like. (One will never fully appreciate it without living it) That experience allowed me to temper my command practices and most importantly, my decision making in terms of always considering how that policy or decision will affect the individual soldier. It served me well and I've always considered the time spent as a premium asset when my performance was measured against my contemporary's.
I wish you the best in your career choice and would be interested in knowing what you finally decide.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 12:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:21:15 -0500

A 99 in your DLAB is not a stellar score. You would either receive a very low level language or need a waiver for a language. That puts you at a really high risk for failing language school.
As for enlistment vs commissioning, that's a very personal choice in my experience. They're very different roles, almost like the difference between doctors and nurses. Both great jobs, just very different career tracks and roles.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 1:05 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:05:30 -0500

As a 10 year enlisted guy I can only speak for enlisted Soldiers. I will say though that 4 years of college and a Bachelor's isn't worth the amount of time you'll spend in meetings as an Officer if you go ROTC...

Response by MAJ Monique Ruiz made Nov 27 at 2019 6:31 AM

MAJ Monique Ruiz — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 06:31:20 -0500

If I could go back and do my career path all over again, I wouldn’t change being enlisted first and then doing ROTC. You must know what goes on behind the scenes and how it effects the most junior Soldier to be able to make informed decisions as an officer, as LTC Wayne Brandon mentioned.

I enlisted only for college. After witnessing how junior Soldiers were treated (from NCOs and officers) and what my expectations of leadership were, I decided to become an officer to be an advocate for junior Soldiers. I won’t stand for any NCO or Officer I supervise to treat junior Soldiers poorly, and I won’t be part of a command team who disregards junior Soldiers. I’ve been told people can tell I was enlisted first. I like to say I’m enlisted dressed as an officer.

The occupation you choose will be based on what you see yourself doing after the military. Do you want to have transferable college credit/ experience/ credentials? If so, make sure it is transferable. MI, AV and SC are the best ones because their credentials align with civilian standards more than other branches. My degree has nothing to do with my military job but the military paid for it. FA is the most fun, their camaraderie makes all the difference in how they operate. If FA took females back in 2007, I would’ve done FA. I was in powerlifting in high school for two years, I don’t mind lifting 100 lb rounds. I can’t speak for the rest of the branches because I haven’t been in those type of units.

Good luck!

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Nov 27 at 2019 8:40 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 08:40:16 -0500

ROTC in college first. It will pay off in the long run. If hear BS like "You can always become an officer later..." don't believe it --it isn't that easy.

Response by MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect made Nov 27 at 2019 1:18 PM

MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:18:35 -0500

Go to college. Do ROTC. End transmission.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 9:42 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:42:08 -0500

Enlist, then go to ROTC. This would help you understand how the army works and make you a better cadet and officer.