Posted on Jul 11, 2020
If I am in the army reserves and join ROTC in my college, will I have to change my MOS ? Or will I have a option to change my MOS?
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ROTC and army reserves
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
Once you contract into ROTC you must join the SMP (simultaneous membership program) to continue with your unit. This is be ause you will now belong to your ROTC unit, not your reserves unit, and several legal things in your status change. You can continue in ROTC for a while without having to contract, speak to your cadre about what options are best for you.
Once in the SMP your MOS changes because your contract with the army has changed, you are no longer enlisted. Your MOS becomes 09R, which has little to no meaning. It seems to serve as a place holder just so CMDR'S can shuffle you around given their needs and slots available. It's a fantastic option and I can almost guarantee you that you will make more money once you join SMP.
Once in the SMP your MOS changes because your contract with the army has changed, you are no longer enlisted. Your MOS becomes 09R, which has little to no meaning. It seems to serve as a place holder just so CMDR'S can shuffle you around given their needs and slots available. It's a fantastic option and I can almost guarantee you that you will make more money once you join SMP.
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1LT (Join to see)
I should add that just because your MOS changes doesn't mean your actual duties at your unit changes. That depends on your actual leadership. I saw cadets who spent 2 years at their units continuing to act like privates. Other took leadership roles. For me, I immediately took the XO position then went with S6. It was all for the purpose of training and mentorship. I had no real responsibility in the legal sense of the word. The only duties I had were specifically outlined by the CMDR and my authority was almost non-existent.
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First thing, having went to IET and having an MOS will exempt you from the first two years of ROTC. I can see no advantage for prior or reserve service members to attend the first two years. Then joint as an SMP Cadet in your junior year. Complete the last two years and compete with the rest of your class
for the available slots in the branch's that you are interested. When you go to SMP Cadet, you will get paid at E-5 for your drill time, you will have more experience than your peers, and on the completely mercenary point view, you don't lose any time in service and will be paid at O-1 with however many years of service. If you aren't looking for Reserve duty, don't sign up for a Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty scholarship.
for the available slots in the branch's that you are interested. When you go to SMP Cadet, you will get paid at E-5 for your drill time, you will have more experience than your peers, and on the completely mercenary point view, you don't lose any time in service and will be paid at O-1 with however many years of service. If you aren't looking for Reserve duty, don't sign up for a Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty scholarship.
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COL Jon Thompson
Actually, there are several benefits to joining ROTC prior to the junior year. First, a cadet gets to know his/her cohort and they can all start working together as a team early on. Second, BCT/AIT can give you credit for the first two years of ROTC but they are not true equivalents as the focus of BCT/AIT and the ROTC basic course are vastly different. Third, every cadet should know what they are getting into before they sign an ROTC contract. If a Soldier has not participated in ROTC until their junior year, they may not be prepared to step into the role of an MSIII cadet, especially if their only experience is BCT/AIT and 1-2 years as a reserve component Soldier. Finally, getting involved early on gives the PMS and other cadre time to assess the Soldier's potential to become an officer. As a ROO, I encourage all potential cadets to get involved in the program as early as possible.
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Remember also when you join ROTC your duties and responsibilities will change. As a Soldier you are responsible for getting your job done, but as an Officer your job is your Soldiers and the mission. Once you Commission then you will be Branched (Officer version of MOS) as an Officer.
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