What do you do your Freshman year of college while waiting to do SMP?

2019-01-17T13:11:45-05:00

I am currently a junior in high school and I have been trying to look at all my options. My end goal is to do ROTC and commission as an Active duty officer. One the options I have been doing a lot of research on and considering is enlisting now and going to BCT this summer. One of the the jobs I am looking at (Combat Engineer) is short enough where I can do OSUT all in one summer. Then I would finish my senior year, senior summer go to monthly weekend training and then start college and do ROTC while in the Reserves. I want to do the SMP program but I understand that you can not start this until your sophomore year of college. So my freshman year while i wait what should I do to help pay for school? I have Tuition covered but not room and board and other expenses. What type of scholarship will allow me to train with my unit, participate in rotc, get benefit to help pay for room and board and other expenses and allow me to start smp the next year?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 1:18 PM

2019-01-17T13:18:43-05:00

You should talk to the ROTC cadre at the school you're wanting to go to regarding scholarships. You can also get a "regular" job to help with expenses. When I was in school I did the SMP program as well as worked a normal job. It's not that hard.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Jan 17 at 2019 1:26 PM

2019-01-17T13:26:12-05:00

It’s been a long time since I have had to handle something like this Megan D., so I’ll give you some places I would start looking, and tag others who may be able to help you as well:

1. Your college’s tuition assistance representative. Or, anyone in the college that deals with scholarship. They are payed to help you find solutions to attending. If they cannot help, they may very well know where to send you for help.

2. Speak with the cadre or commander of the ROTC program. They want you there just like the college does, it brings money into the college.

3. Knock on doors, find a job that fits your schedule. This is last ditch, but if you have to mop floors and clean toilets to get by, then do it. Dreams are cool and all that, but if dreams are to come true, many times you have to work your tail end off to get it.

Any suggestions my brothers and sisters in arms? I appreciate your help in advance.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SPC Douglas Bolton,Brig Gen Jim Jaeger,CPT Jack Durish,Maj Marty Hogan,SPC Christopher Smith,Lt Col Charlie Brown,Cpl Scott McCarroll,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SP5 Mark Kuzinski,PVT Mark Brown,SGT Elizabeth Scheck,PFC Jacob Wrubel,MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy,SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL,SSG William Jones,TSgt Joe C.,SSgt Robert Marx, LTC Stephen F.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jan 17 at 2019 1:36 PM

2019-01-17T13:36:02-05:00

I can't anwers all of your questions when it comes to scholarships for expenses, but there is Sallie Mae Student loans (My three daughters used them wisely) during their college years. It's always good to have some skin in your education. During your freshman year you can work out and get in really good shape for the Army Physical Fitness Testing. I would go with the option you mentioned about going to Basic Training (so important to get a taste of the military) before attending your AIT or ROTC. Just my two cents for what it's worth to you Megan D.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 3:14 PM

2019-01-17T15:14:18-05:00

Work part-time at the Gym, YMCA or something either with low impact or will give you experience in what ever your degree is. Balance your time and learn common core because one day you will become a Junior Officer. It's a steep learning curve when you get attached to high-paced Active Duty units. Theirs a high chance you will serve in BN Staff or as an Adjutant to the BC so have your skill set in Microsoft and Doctrine squared away. It will be what makes or breaks you as an Officer. Get in shape and know your craft. I know it's difficult because of "LIFE" and what your peers are doing. Stay focused and develop positive habits so that you can keep up with a fast battle rhythm.

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Jan 17 at 2019 6:06 PM

2019-01-17T18:06:19-05:00

While you're looking at schools, make sure you look at the financial aid packages that might be offered by the various schools (including asking current ROTC cadets/midshipmen about what the school is giving them). When I was in college (which was more than 25 years ago, so this is an example, rather than a specific suggestion), Illinois Institute of Technology offered full room and board and a stipend to any student who arrived with a ROTC scholarship. I knew a couple of guys who went to IIT from the fleet who, between the ROTC scholarship, IIT's room & board & stipend, and their GI Bill, would up graduating with a few thousand dollars in their bank accounts.

Response by Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 10:07 PM

2019-01-18T22:07:46-05:00

For Scholarships check into the college you want to attend, at my school our room and board is paid as long as we are under Scholarship and/or contracted. You might also look in the ROTC National Scholarship which is what I pursued and won, however I also strongly considered doing SMP but the downside is that it can be harder to gain an active duty contract especially if you are in the Guard.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2019 1:16 AM

2019-01-19T01:16:35-05:00

What state are you planning on attending school in? Some states’ National Guards offer a Guard Grant that waives tuition. I would contact their recruiters first.

I was an enlisted Soldier in the Illinois National Guard prior to joining ROTC. Illinois has a Guard Grant, so I pursued my commission at no cost. Really, contact a recruiter first to see what benefits you can accrue beforehand.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jan 20 at 2019 4:35 PM

2019-01-20T16:35:16-05:00

You can compete for a 4-year Minuteman scholarship that provides 4 years of education incentives. Each state has a limited number of those so the competition probably will be stiff. You can also apply for any other non-Army scholarships and grants that you may be eligible for. You should also look at the national high school scholarship program. If you do enlist in the guard, you do not have any scholarship options open that would allow you compete for active duty. Scholarship available to Soldiers in the National Guard or Army Reserve limit you going into one of those components. The only other alternative would be to get released from the Reserves to take a line scholarship. So before you make a decision, I would talk to the Recruiting Operations Officer at whatever school you are looking at to make sure you are on a path to get what you need.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 3:28 PM

2019-04-03T15:28:38-04:00

I am currently a freshman in college, I am going to OSUT this summer between semesters, and I personally think it is a great idea. You get all the benefits of being in reserves while going to school, however you're also in ROTC. I do warn you of two things however, I do warn you of two things that I am currently experience going through this process or have found important to know. The first, you are in a deplorable state until you get an ROTC contract which varies from school to school, I currently do not have a contract so once I go to MEPS until I get that contract I could be deployed. The second, I get a lot of "Sh*t" from both enlisted and people on the officer route. From what I have noticed, officers do not like people who are going enlisted and enlisted do not like people on the officer path. You get it from both sides and some consider it the "easy way out." That being said, I highly recommend talking to both your Cadre and recruiter about both options. I wish you the best of luck!