SPC Private RallyPoint Member 6855220 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Currently, I am a Junior in High School and I enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in January. I am in the Split-Option Program, so this summer, I will be going to Basic Training and then next summer I will go to AIT. <br /><br />I enlisted because I wanted to gain experience as an enlisted soldier before I became an officer, which has been something I always wanted to do. However, If the National Guard pays for my college tuition, would I still be able to do ROTC and then commission as an Active Duty officer when I graduate? Or will I have to continue within the National Guard as an Officer? <br /><br />I&#39;ve heard that there are many variables but I wanted to know how it would work for my case specifically. <br /><br />I really want to go Active Duty as an officer, so this question has been on my mind for a while now. Thank you. 2021-03-26T13:19:55-04:00 SPC Private RallyPoint Member 6855220

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Currently, I am a Junior in High School and I enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in January. I am in the Split-Option Program, so this summer, I will be going to Basic Training and then next summer I will go to AIT. <br /><br />I enlisted because I wanted to gain experience as an enlisted soldier before I became an officer, which has been something I always wanted to do. However, If the National Guard pays for my college tuition, would I still be able to do ROTC and then commission as an Active Duty officer when I graduate? Or will I have to continue within the National Guard as an Officer? <br /><br />I&#39;ve heard that there are many variables but I wanted to know how it would work for my case specifically. <br /><br />I really want to go Active Duty as an officer, so this question has been on my mind for a while now. Thank you.

2021-03-26T13:19:55-04:00 2021-03-26T13:19:55-04:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 6855229

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It may have changed in the past 20 years, but it all depends on what your unit is willing to sign off on. I had to pay back some bonus and other items when I commissioned.

2021-03-26T13:23:25-04:00 2021-03-26T13:23:25-04:00 LTC Eugene Chu 6855242

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Talk to the PMS and recruiting officer for your college ROTC program. You may be able to do SMP or may have to forfeit status.

2021-03-26T13:28:53-04:00 2021-03-26T13:28:53-04:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 6855267

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I just contracted in ROTC and I&#39;m also in the NG and the SMP program. As long as you don&#39;t take a scholarship that requires you to go NG/Reserves, then you can go Active. I&#39;m using the NG state education benefits to pay my tuition, so I didn&#39;t need a scholarship. But they still asked me if I was interested in the Minuteman scholarship, If I took it it would have forced me to go NG when I commission. My brother is doing the same as me at another school, and in a different state&#39;s NG.

2021-03-26T13:37:25-04:00 2021-03-26T13:37:25-04:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 6855305

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just to clarify, no one in ROTC is guaranteed Active duty. You compete against other cadets, with the highest performing cadets offered Active duty. But as long as you don&#39;t accept a scholarship that forces you to go NG/ Reserves, you can compete for a spot just like all the other cadets.

2021-03-26T13:50:56-04:00 2021-03-26T13:50:56-04:00 LTC Jason Mackay 6855346

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you are using the ARNG tuition waiver and meet those obligations. You can also do Army ROTC and pursue a commission in any component

2021-03-26T14:08:00-04:00 2021-03-26T14:08:00-04:00 CW3 Kevin Storm 6855511

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You better read the contract closely, normally if a State pays they expect you to be for them. You will most likely have some time debt that will need to be paid off.

2021-03-26T15:05:46-04:00 2021-03-26T15:05:46-04:00 COL Jon Thompson 6856155

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As long as you don’t take a scholarship, you can compete for active duty. It is not guaranteed so you will need to know how cadets are scored on the accessions order of merit list so you can set yourself up for success.

2021-03-26T19:28:49-04:00 2021-03-26T19:28:49-04:00 Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member 6856323

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>So right now I’m an SMP cadet in the reserve, but I have many friends who are in the PA National Guard and do ROTC many of them prior enlisted wanting to go the officer route and go Active. Yes you can commission and become an officer in active duty if you are able to get a slot. And yes even if the National Guard pays for your college you will be good my friend gets his housing, and his college tuition at WCU payed by the national guard. Once you become an MS2 cadet you are able to contract and if you decide to do that it will basically get rid of your enlisted contract while keeping all the benefits but with you still being an SMP cadet at your guard unit, and once you commission you get your officer contract. Goodrich there are benefits to being both enlisted and officer but almost all prior enlisted cadets do great and many times they get one of their top pics for branches(Mos) and active.

2021-03-26T20:33:52-04:00 2021-03-26T20:33:52-04:00 CPT Lawrence Cable 6856650

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes, you can attend ROTC as a National Guard soldier. Since you will be MOS qualified when you start College, you can use both the state tuition assistance and GI Bill. You fall under prior service rules and you are exempt from the first two years of ROTC and can join in your Junior year, attend Advance Camp, them Commission after your senior year. I have had Senior ROTC people tell me that you should attend all four years, but all of the prior service people I know did not choose that route. <br />If no one as mentioned it, I would highly recommend the Guard SMP while you attend ROTC. You get paid as an E-5 for drill and get some experience at leadership level. Active Duty slots are competitive these days, so you need to be in the top of the class to get one. <br />Also, if you are thinking of active, don&#39;t accept any of the guaranteed reserve duty scholarships. Also be aware that branch choice is Needs of the Army and also based on class ranking.

2021-03-26T23:25:00-04:00 2021-03-26T23:25:00-04:00 LTC John Mohor 6856690

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Some great advice provided previously. Nice benefit that you’ve started is your time in service toward service. At least two years will count if you can get SMP slot when contracted as a cadet I believe those years will count as well. In all things moving forward do your absolute best while striving for an active duty commission. If and when you get it it still doesn’t mean you’ll stay on active duty the full 20 years so be sure to keep your service unbroken. Also remember you’re fully eligible for the reserve GI Bill too at least last time I checked! Best of luck and thanks for your willingness to serve

2021-03-27T00:32:10-04:00 2021-03-27T00:32:10-04:00 CSM Danny S. 6858283

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The best place to get the correct info is your state&#39;s National Guard education office. They will be able to tell you how it would work and if you would have any issues if you go Active.

2021-03-27T15:51:09-04:00 2021-03-27T15:51:09-04:00 CPT Brad Wilson 6859246

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you are using the GI Bill then I believe you can choose Active Duty when the time comes. If you are getting a Reserve Scholarship then no. But after commissioning with a Reserve Scholarship you can request a transfer to Active Duty but that will entail a release from your contract from your state headquarters

2021-03-27T23:04:24-04:00 2021-03-27T23:04:24-04:00 2021-03-26T13:19:55-04:00