What are some pros and cons of doing ROTC while getting your masters degree instead of doing it as an undergraduate?

2020-07-23T14:22:47-04:00

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2020 2:43 PM

2020-07-23T14:43:46-04:00

In my opinion, getting a Master's degree is hard enough without adding ROTC. But it is possible if your willing to work at it. You just may not have much personal time at least till you get "settled down". It will just depend on you. I had been unemployed at the time when i got my Master's but I do believe it is possible. There are always athletes in the top of their field getting 4.0's in the classes and i have seen some working on Grad school during part of their school year. If they can do it then anything is possible if you work at it.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jul 23 at 2020 4:30 PM

2020-07-23T16:30:20-04:00

If you do ROTC as a Master's student, you will commission upon completion of the Military Science classes regardless of where you are in completing your graduate program. So you are on a 20-month timeline to get your degree because that is how long it takes to get through the MSIII and MSIV years. I know most graduate programs are 2 years but when you add ROTC requirements into that, it may change. Regardless of what component you enter, you will go to BOLC after commissioning so if you do have your degree complete then, you may have to postpone completion. As for undergraduate, you need a Bachelor's degree to commission so you need to finish that degree.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2020 11:29 PM

2020-07-23T23:29:16-04:00

As an officer, if you really want to get ahead, you are going to need a masters so if you can get it while in rotc you are that much more ahead of your peers. There really aren’t any cons.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 10:31 AM

2020-07-25T10:31:01-04:00

It is about where you are at in your academic matriculation.

There is some goodness to graduating and getting your commission and starting your career. Once in you will get many opportunities to earn your masters on your own with Tuition Assistance, while at the Captains Course, CGSC and advanced civil schooling.

If you are delaying your commissioning for your Masters, I would not recommend it. If you have aspirations to use your masters outside the Mikitary, are in the Guard, reserves or love your school and want to use that prestige to get into a doctoral program than staying might be a good idea.

Every situation is intensely different, and many have agendas as do you.

Talk with your SMI and APMS about your thoughts and ideas and get thier feedback. I see you are a PFC, so talk with a successful CPT in your unit and get some local advice.

Ultimately it’s your decision. Make it, own it and get it done!

Response by Lt Col Charles Taylor made Aug 18 at 2020 6:38 AM

2020-08-18T06:38:48-04:00

When I was in ROTC in the late eighties, there were several cadets who already had bachelor's degrees and active duty enlisted time who were in the ROTC program. They came in and finish the last 2 years of ROTC while getting their master's degree then were commissioned with the rest of us as 2nd lieutenants.