What is the typical day-to-day/lifestyle in a Senior ROTC Instructor position?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 17:54:03 -0500

As an (active duty) E-8, what is the typical day to day / lifestyle in this position? From daily battle rhythm, TDY, field training, etc. There may be an opportunity in the near future, but I am not verse in this area of broadening assignment. Anyone got firsthand knowledge?

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 21 at 2022 6:04 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 18:04:59 -0500

I am an officer, but was both a contractor and reservist with two different college ROTC units.

Daily battle rhythm varies from school to school, but usually involves morning PT, conducting academic classes during the week along with observing leadership lab (e.g. basic FM 7-8 battle drills, etc.). Most field training is monthly with bi-annual FTX alongside Ranger Challenge support. During the summer, you will likely be TDY at Fort Knox as temporary cadre. You can take college classes part-time (dependent on school and ROTC unit policy) as long as it does not interfere with normal duty. There will be some pressure to ensure scholarship students maintain standards (e.g. GPA, PT score, lab evals, etc.) along with some occasional drama (e.g. cadet or family pregnancy, misconduct, etc.). You will have a mix of active, reserve, GS civilian and contractor cadre.

For career, most E-8 / MSG use it as a final assignment before retirement. As an anomaly, I did know one MSG who stayed active duty and retired as a BDE CSM several years later.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 21 at 2022 7:50 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:50:28 -0500

For me at Oregon State University it was variable. Was it a PT and classroom day? Days leading up to an off-site training exercise? Range day? Getting cadets ready for Midterms? Advanced camp?
On a PT then class day I was there an hour or so before PT, read and answered emails, submitted reports, made requests, ect.
Either led PT or went to the pool to work one on one with a cadet needing help with CWST, shower, get into B's, prep for class, grade papers, work on next year's catalog, hod class, counsel cadets, and do more admin stuff till time to go home..
On a field day, it was do everything the S3, S1, S4, Unit CDR, 1SG, PSG, supply SGT does to get organized for an upcoming event..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2022 10:18 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:18:59 -0500

This observation is based on my experience as a cadet, but the rotc instructors loved their life! Light workload, opportunity to pursue a free degree, and the satisfaction of mentoring future officers! The only bad thing that I’ve heard is that if you have multiple schools under your umbrella in a rural area, it can be a lot of traveling to go teach classes at different schools. However most programs only have one or two schools in the program, within an hour or so radius