Posted on Dec 1, 2015
SPC Fire Support Specialist
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Posted in these groups: Green to gold logo Green to GoldGeneral of the army rank insignia OfficerThcapm08l9 ROTC
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CPT Battalion Air
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As far as I'm tracking you can, after you leave active duty. However, due to the draw down, ROTC scholarships are more competitive now. When I was going through ROTC, they had more scholarships than they could give away. To get more information, I would look into a program at a university you think you may attend and get in contact with the cadre there. They could give you the best information in regards to the different programs and scholarships available. Good luck.
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CPT Battalion Air
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
SMP is the Simultaneous Membership Program, where you serve in a Reserve or National Guard unit as a cadet whilst still in ROTC.
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SPC Fire Support Specialist
SPC (Join to see)
10 y
Thank you again sir for the help and information!
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COL Vincent Stoneking
COL Vincent Stoneking
10 y
SPC (Join to see) WRT: "Walk on"

In addition to the SMP program (which I DO highly recommend), you can also be a "non-scholarship" cadet. I can't speak to the exact details today, but the the way it works is that you pay your own way through school and do NOT get a stipend (at least for the first two years). In either your Junior or Senior year, you become obligated to serve.

It has been possible in the past for non-scholarship cadets to get picked up for a 2 year scholarship, but I don't know if they are doing that now.
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CPT Battalion Air
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
Sir, when I went through, I did get a monthly stipend. But I used tuition assistance and my GI Bill to pay for school through the Reserve.
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LTC Kevin B.
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Edited 10 y ago
Yes, you can. I didn't go the Green-to-Gold route when my enlisted time ended. I simply ETS'd, moved to my home state, and started college using the GI Bill (technically, the VEAP). A couple of years into college, I joined ROTC and subsequently came back onto active duty (and served for 20 more years). You can compete for an ROTC scholarship if you want (although I chose not to). You'll be more competitive if your service record is good and you have good grades. Then, your performance in ROTC will play a large role in whether or not you come back onto active duty (if that's what you want). Best of luck to you, and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask away.
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SPC Fire Support Specialist
SPC (Join to see)
10 y
Thank you for the clarification and the reply sir!
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COL Jon Thompson
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You sure can once you ETS. Like some of the others here, I recommend you contact the particular schools as that date gets closer. That includes both the ROTC program and the Admissions office since none of it will matter of you do not get into the school. I am a Recruiting Operations Officer for an ROTC program so if you have specific questions feel free to message me. I am on my iPhone now so I cannot go into more details but can once I get home.
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SPC Fire Support Specialist
SPC (Join to see)
10 y
Thanks for the reply sir! I'd love some more general details on topic once you get home! If you don't mind! Thank you again!
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COL Jon Thompson
COL Jon Thompson
10 y
SPC (Join to see) - I have been busy the last couple of days but did want to write you back. The biggest piece of advice I will give you is that while you will have some different experiences than cadets right out of high school, you cannot let that affect you negatively. In my experience of working with ROTC programs since 2007, the cadets who have the hardest time adjusting to ROTC are the prior service Soldiers. Some find the program too "Mickey Mouse" since it is not active duty. Others are afraid to ask questions because they feel they should know the answers since they are prior service. You may start at the bottom and see more senior cadets that do not seem to know what they are doing. Use it all as a learning experience to become the best leader you can be. Learn about all the difference options available to you. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
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Looking at the Green to Gold program. Say I get denied, can I then attend a school with an ROTC program and become an officer? Any Advice?
SFC Senior Small Group Leader
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PVT Ringling,

I'm about 90% sure if you were to get denied for Green to Gold you could still come off active duty, enroll in school and get into a SROTC program. Once accepted by Cadet Command, you'll be able to compete for an Active Duty commissioning.
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SPC Fire Support Specialist
SPC (Join to see)
10 y
That's what I was thinking also! Thank you for the reply!
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CPT Usar Operations Officer
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If you're active, I would seriously advise you serve out your first 4 years (and 1 day) enlisted before you start the road to commissioning.
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SPC Fire Support Specialist
SPC (Join to see)
10 y
Thanks for the reply Sir! This is more of a planning ahead phase then moving into action. I believe the green to gold program requires you to be at least 2 years into the contract before you can put in a packet.
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CAPT Kevin B.
CAPT Kevin B.
10 y
$$$ Cha-Ching $$$
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LTC Field Artillery Officer
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
Exactly right CPT (Join to see) !! If you already have some years- might as well get the 4 years +1; the pay tables for an O-1E on up to O-3E are much higher than the regular officer ranks.
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Lt Col Aerospace Planner
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Edited 10 y ago
Once you are off active duty, you are a civilian like everyone else. So you can join any ROTC of any service. I would recommend that while you have things like tuition assistance, to take advantage now and start getting college credit toward a degree doing the primers. This will come a long way. While in ROTC it is like a second job. If you are pursuing green to gold the best way to be competitive is to get good grades in college now.

If you want to get a commission. Be sure to keep your nose clean and don't get caught up in nonsense that your peers may try to drag you into. I have seen a few good airman who would have made excellent officers with your desires, lose their chance by a one time mistake.

If you get I to ROTC understand that it is a new world. You will be in a system where you will be subordinate to those who have no clue of what you did. They will be in charge in the first few years. You will be taking orders from kids a few years younger. The successful prior E's take it for what it is and not let their egos get in the way.

Best of luck
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Capt Mark Strobl
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Regardless of any scholarship, you should be able to join a ROTC unit. The needs of the military will be adjusted annually (as does education & training budgets). So, if you don't get a scholarship, well, keep trying. The Army tends to keep the persistent ones. I've known a lot of guys who got commissioned into the reserves and transitioned into the active duty ranks. I always thought the Marines had a monopoly on leadership... but, I was mistaken. Looks like were there's a will there's a way for you. Just have to examine your options and choose a path. Best of luck in your next career move!

http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/join-army-officer.html
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