Is it smart to go do ROTC after High School or should I continue with RSP and basic training then ROTC?

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:23:39 -0500

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Jan 19 at 2017 3:32 PM

COL Lee Flemming — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:32:31 -0500

I know people that have been successful going either way. Do what makes sense for your life, career and educational goals. Stop by your local ROTC campus and talk to the PMS and a few cadets.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 3:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:34:18 -0500

What does your instincts tell you?

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jan 19 at 2017 3:34 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:34:47 -0500

I assume you have already contracted with the ARNG? If so, need to talk to your recruiter/ unit chain of command about SMP (simultaneous membership program). Since you have already enlisted, that would be your only route to ROTC, provided you have been accepted for enrollment into a college with an ROTC program. You would go to BCT/AIT first

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 4:43 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:43:13 -0500

I was enlisted before commissioning through the green to gold active duty option. To be honest the things I learned while enlisted have been a great resource for me as an officer. It gives you that enlisted perspective that your future joes will respect. It ultimately comes down to what kind of experience you want

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 4:51 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:51:14 -0500

Short of a direct commission, ROTC is the easiest way to obtain a commission. It is also much easier to get into ROTC as a civilian than Active Duty (you have to apply for it and be accepted). Now for the questions:
1.) Are you financially able to go to college?
2.) Are you already enlisted?
3.) How long are you planning on being in the Military?

If you are financially able to go to college right away, I would highly recommend that. If you are already enlisted, as someone else said earlier, the SMP is what you are looking for. Going in early means that you can potentially retire at an earlier age, at a higher rank than if you go Enlisted first.

Of course, I (and a lot of other NCOs I know/work with) place a high value on seeing Officers with the Good Conduct Medal and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon on their ribbon racks. It means they were once Enlisted Soldiers and have the Enlisted perspective. But do not let that be your only deciding factor. All of my classmates from ROTC are now senior Majors and Lieutenant Colonels, and have done very well for themselves and are respected without the prior Enlisted time. It's all a matter of what you do with your rank and how you deal with subordinates.

If you want more information on going ROTC while Active Duty, you should take a look at the Green to Gold website (from the Go Army.Com website). Consider all the angles and then make the decision that suits you best.

Good Luck!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 10:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 22:29:06 -0500

You've already enlisted?
Are you a split option? Still in High School?
If so you're going to need to finish BCT and AIT, you can set up going to College and ROTC when you get back after you graduate from High School.

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 10:31 PM

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 22:31:43 -0500

Thank you everyone for responding to my question. I have met with an Officer and explained what was going on and figured it out. I appreciate you guys being there and helping a guy out.

Response by Cadet PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2017 8:03 PM

Cadet PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 20:03:36 -0400

I had to enlist in order to get my SMP contract with the Indiana Army National Guard to become an officer. Best decision I ever made and overall best experience I had was on Sand Hill. Highly recommend to continue with BCT and AIT before ROTC.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2017 10:15 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:15:14 -0400

Going the SMP route is nice. You get to become more familiar with how the army works. You understand the enlisted side as well. It also gives you more knowledge in the field you may be interested in. A lot of SMP cadets get to be PLs or shadow one as well. It'll give you great experience.