Posted on Aug 3, 2014
If I already have a bachelor's degree, can I do ROTC while pursuing a Masters?
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I am currently in the National Guard, although I have been active for the past two years at language school. I have been encouraged to look into the officer route for my career. However, I do not know which option to even begin pursuing. I already hold my bachelor's degree, so if I go to ROTC, it would have to be during my Masters, which I am looking forward to beginning on my return home. However, I do not know the possibilities of this. Most people I know attend ROTC during their bachelor's.
Then there is OCS. I know there is a state-run option, or the traditional option. However, with the cutbacks the Army is seeing, I don't know how much more difficult it would be to have a package picked up.
Any thoughts and/or advice would be appreciated greatly.
Then there is OCS. I know there is a state-run option, or the traditional option. However, with the cutbacks the Army is seeing, I don't know how much more difficult it would be to have a package picked up.
Any thoughts and/or advice would be appreciated greatly.
ROTC
OCS
Master's Degree
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
OCS is the quicker way to a commission. I was advised to go to OCS, but I wished to obtain my Master's 'en route'. Therefore, I decided to do G2G as a Grad student. It is possible. Also, you can do ROTC as a 'post-baccalaureate' student (which means you're pursuing a second bachelor's degree). I have seen a lot do this, and on their second time around most have chosen Nursing.
In my MSIII class we had a cadet who was enrolled for his masters. As long as you meet the other requirements for enrollment into the officer pipeline (ie age, medical, etc), this shouldn't be a problem.
One question: are you planning on staying in the Guard or coming on AD? ROTC will allow you complete your Masters and officer training requirements concurrently, giving you time for both. OCS will get you a commission faster (you already meet the college education requirement), but may ultimately interfere with grad school if they pull you onto duty immediately.
One question: are you planning on staying in the Guard or coming on AD? ROTC will allow you complete your Masters and officer training requirements concurrently, giving you time for both. OCS will get you a commission faster (you already meet the college education requirement), but may ultimately interfere with grad school if they pull you onto duty immediately.
If ROTC would pay for your Masters degree, do it. If, not don't. I had a miserable 3 years in ROTC. Don't get me wrong, its a great program but its focused more for people who don't have prior experience.
CPT (Join to see)
ROTC does cover masters programs.
Sorry you had a crappy experince LT. That sucks... Our school loves prior service and we are more mentors than anything for the wee totts coming in.
Sorry you had a crappy experince LT. That sucks... Our school loves prior service and we are more mentors than anything for the wee totts coming in.
1LT (Join to see)
LT,
What school did you attend? My first Undergrad experience was awesome. However, I had to move back home then things turned for the worst lol.
What school did you attend? My first Undergrad experience was awesome. However, I had to move back home then things turned for the worst lol.
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Also, while the OCS program is shorter, I am wondering if it is more competitive in the initial entry. While ROTC is longer, I have heard that it is easier to get in. Not sure of whether these are opinions or facts.
ROTC is great, well I did it so I am biased. I had 7 years in and decided to go back to school. I although chose to stay Guard and not Active Duty. There are all sorts of options, but I would talk to the Enrollment and Scholarship Officer at the school of choice and see what they say. But, ROTC too is competitive especially if you are looking to go active duty.
I preferred ROTC over OCS bc I had the opportunity to briefly experience being OCS cadre, and it is basic training all over again (not new age BCT but 2005 BCT) Ha
Look into your options