What happens after graduating from the Green to Gold program?

2015-08-17T09:45:36-04:00

I am preparing my packet for the Green to Gold program since I already have two years of college and I want to finish my degree. What I'm curious about is, with me already having an MOS, how will I be reassigned? Will my degree play any part in what type of job I am given? Will I be given the choice to become an officer in the reserves since it's through ROTC?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 9:48 AM

2015-08-17T09:48:01-04:00

You'll have orders assigning you to your officer basic course before you finish your degree. I had orders to Fort Benning to the Infantry Officers Basic Course prior to my graduation. Your ROTC admin staff will help you get on your way.

Response by CPT Matthew Bate made Aug 17 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-08-17T09:55:22-04:00

After your Junior Year, you'll go to a month long FTX called National Advanced Leadership Course where you'll be evaluated against your peers. You will rank order all the branches and you'll be assessed and placed into a branch depending on your evaluations and your preferred branch (higher evaluations = more likelihood you will get your branch of choice.). Your enlistment MOS has no bearing really on what branch you end up in. Your degree may help, but it's not a prerequisite.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 17 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-08-17T10:20:33-04:00

Needs of the Army or National Guard depending on how you are branching. Not sure if your prior MOS will have any weight towards your commissioned branch. If you ask for Reserves or Guard you will most likely get it based on the ongoing AD drawdown. Back in 1990 they told us AD was tough to get depending on the branch you were looking for. I chose SC and got it - lucky me I guess. NG will depend on what units are in state and what slots are available. In RI it was MP or FA - you were 90% guaranteed to be branched one of them no matter what you picked as those were the majority of units we had back then. Your degree historically has very little to do with your branch choice unless it's in nursing or law or some other licensed professional certification that easily translates into an Army branch. Even civil engineering or some computer/electronics degree didn't guarantee you an EN or SC branch. Work with your faculty as they will help guide you and hopefully get you into one of the branches your most interested in. MAJ Private RallyPoint Member states that you go to your OBC before graduating. You used to go to OBC only after you graduate and have your degree. I delayed my OBC date as I got my commission before graduating a year later (that option was eventually eliminated later) You also used to be able to get a commission with 60 college credits and now need the full degree. Times have obviously changed. You went to Advanced Camp (back in my day that's what it was called) or National Advanced Leadership Course as CPT Matthew Bate states between your junior and senior year as "intro to Big Army 101"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-08-17T10:21:56-04:00

You'll have to rank all the branches on your "wish list" at the start of your MS4 year. There is a good chance you'll get branched in one of your top five choices, but needs of the Army, and degree will play into the determination by the accessions board. The chances of you getting reserve forces duty on a Green to Gold Scholarship are pretty low. If you go Green to Gold without the scholarship, than it's very possible.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-08-17T11:28:52-04:00

I would agree with most everything said here. I think when they are looking at a person's branch choices they look at different things. If you're looking to go infantry they may look at your APFT and how involved in things like Ranger challenge you were. If you're going to be finance or something more technical they may look more at your degree, if for example you're a master gunner or Ranger qualified that would be a huge influence.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-08-17T11:59:37-04:00

The army is strange when it comes to education. Unless your degree is in medicine or law you will go wherever the army needs you. You will prepare a preference list while in your MS3 year but ultimately it will be the army's choice. As far as reserves vs active duty, once again you will get a vote, but the army will decide. In 2004 when I graduated, those that wanted reserves or guard usually got their choice, but those that wanted active didn't necessarily get active duty. It may have changed. Your best bet it's to talk to your Professor of Military Science (PMS) at whatever school you go to.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-08-17T12:26:53-04:00

If you are coming from Active duty you will stay on active duty while doing green to gold and and commission back onto active duty. Your branch is what you put in for. Your degree or mos play no factor in it. You rank your branches from 1-16 and based on GPA, PT scores, LDAC grade, cadre recommendations you will get assessed against cadets nationwide.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 6:06 PM

2015-08-17T18:06:01-04:00

You currently have an enlisted MOS but this will not necessarily have any bearing on your future MOS as an officer. It may be a completely different field -- you will have some say in that, but ultimately its needs of the Army. In most circumstances, the degree you pursue will not play a huge role in the job you are given. The exceptions are Nursing and other medical fields. (You cant be an Army Nurse without a Nursing Degree). Also, if you want to be an Engineer, you will be unlikely to be an Engineer officer without an Engineering degree (this hasn't always been the case, but it is today). The most important thing you can do is get good grades. Your GPA will play a large role in your Cadet Ranking. Branch (MOS) Assignments are competitive. You will rank your preferences and you will be competing against all the other Cadets in your year group (at least to some extent its more complicated than that but I can't do it justice in a forum posting). You will have the option to go Reserve, National Guard, or you can compete for Active Duty (its not a guarantee). Let me know if you have follow up questions. I've worked in Cadet Command as both a civilian contractor and as an Army Officer.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Aug 17 at 2015 7:45 PM

2015-08-17T19:45:19-04:00

The Army has a process where they try to align your interests, your background, and the needs of the Army into a branch selection for you. The process changes quite a bit from year to year, so the specifics get a little muddy, depending on who is telling you how the process works. They may be telling you the process they faced, but that may not be the process you'll face.

I'll disagree with those on here who have said that your MOS will play no role in the branch you get assigned. It may indeed play a role, but it will depend on some factors. If you specifically request a branch that aligns with your enlisted MOS, and if you perform well in ROTC, the Army may very well assign you to your preferred branch based on both your ROTC performance and your background. That happened with me. I was a medic when I was an enlisted soldier. I did well in ROTC, I requested Medical Service Corps, and I was selected for that branch. So, to say your MOS will play no role whatsoever is not entirely true. I will say that if you select a branch that is unrelated to your MOS, and you do well in ROTC, then the Army most likely won't force you into a branch that you don't want.

Bottom line, do well in ROTC and you'll stand a much better chance at getting what you want (and your MOS may help you get that branch if you like the field you're in currently).

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 17 at 2015 10:35 PM

2015-08-17T22:35:05-04:00

Lots of good responses here, I will add that two years of college you have does not equal two years left. Most colleges max you out with transfer credit of 12 credits hours (3-4 classes). ROTC and Basic Training take care of your phys Ed requirements. An exception would be if you earned the credits at that particular university.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Aug 18 at 2015 12:30 PM

2015-08-18T12:30:39-04:00

One less-known fact: If you do go for the reserves, if you don't like the branch you've been assigned, there is one more chance ... if you find a unit that wants you, you can have them pull you into their branch. They need to have the open slot and want you there. Serious decision with long-term implications, but it can be done. I was branched IN but had that changed to FA by having my gaining unit determine my branch.

Response by MAJ Jeff Coulter made Aug 18 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-08-18T12:31:26-04:00

PV2 Pennington, have you brought this up through your chain of command? Green to Gold is not simply a degree completion program for the Soldier. It provides either an ROTC scholarship or reassignment to an ROTC battalion for two years so a Soldier can finish a degree and get a commission depending on which option you're accepted into. It requires your company cdr to nominate you for it. When I was a cdr, I only considered seasoned Soldiers (SPC-SSG) for this. I would investigate your cdr's policy before I filled out the packet.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Aug 18 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-08-18T12:32:04-04:00

Especially since we are in a drawing-down time, with the Army slated to lose 40K jobs from the active force, you're very likely to be offered the option of taking a reserve commission instead of RA. Sounds like you might want that, from your original post.

Response by LTC Michael Brantley made Aug 19 at 2015 12:14 PM

2015-08-19T12:14:47-04:00

Robert, The G2G coordinator at your post should be able to help you with your questions. Those are good ones to be asking. Ultimately, your branch assignment upon commissioning will be needs of the Army, but your past experiences, your preference, and to a point your grades in college and your evaluations at the leadership camp (they used to call it LDAC, but have new names now) will impact the branch assignment you receive.

The Army is downsizing and so the number of LTs selected for Active Duty will be changing and you may have an opportunity to go directly into the USAR. That may depend on if you are doing a 2 year scholarship. Again, your best source of information on this will be the ROO at your university program or the G2G coordinator at your post. Good luck

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-08-19T12:29:13-04:00

First, I would like to commend you on putting together a G2G packet and striving to finish your undergraduate degree. I wish you the very best of luck with the application process.

If you are planning on pursuing a commission as an officer on Active Duty (a requirement of the Action Duty G2G Option, but optional on the Scholarship/Non-Scholarship options), your branch will determined by a wide variety of factors, from academic performance, military performance, as well as personal history and preferences. From my experience, there is a strong correlation between prior enlisted being branched or "accessed" into a similar branch, but there is no guarantee. You should embrace the possibility that you can end up in any branch that the Army determines. That being said, with the right attitude, I believe that any branch can provide a meaningful and rewarding career.

I went Green to Gold in 2014, earning a Masters in Business Administration from Drexel University. I came from a previous MOS in the Adjutant General Branch, but was hoping that my MBA would help me obtain a slot in the Finance Corp, AG, or one of the combat support branches. I ended up being selected for the AG branch, but with a Branch Detail assignment to my 13th choice, Field Artillery. I have truly enjoyed my first year as an artillery officer, and a lot of that has to do with having a positive attitude that focuses on the positive. Always remember why you want to become an officer, which hopefully includes some part about serving the Soldiers who you will lead.

If you have further questions about accessions, or specific challenges of being a Green to Gold cadet/student in a college setting, please let me know. Again, I wish you all the best with your application.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-08-19T12:38:13-04:00

Once you are accepted and become a cadet, you will have to compete to get on Active Duty unless you apply for G2G Active Duty Option. You will also compete for your Branch (only if Active Duty). National Guard and Reserve cadets can request from the pool of branches available near the city they choose to do drills at.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 12:59 PM

2015-08-19T12:59:40-04:00

PV2 Pennington,
If you are doing G2G active duty option then you automatically come back to active duty, but you also have to be an E4 with 24mos time in service to do that so I assume you are looking at a two year scholarship. In that case you can opt for Reserve or compete for active duty. Your degree will have zero Bering on what branch you get. If you do well enough with GPA, APFT, etc then you have a better chance of getting the branch you want for active duty. If you choose Reserve then you can choose your branch and you will get that branch. Email me if you have anymore questions @ [login to see]

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 2:41 PM

2015-08-19T14:41:26-04:00

You will fill out an accessions package at the beginning of your senior year. That's where you'll request branches and assignments. I have heard both good and bad as to how well the Army matches your desires. I was fortunate enough to get the branch, duty station, and OBC start date of choice. Grades and overall performance while in the program is very important. The top 10% of yoru class will be designated Distinguished Military Graduates (DMG). DMGs tend to get more of what they ask for during accessions. Your degree might have some play in selection, but not always. One key bit of advice, that I wish I had when I went through on my Green to Gold, is to keep an open mind. You have some active duty under your belt, so you'll be up on many things your peers may not be. Don't be arrogant or conceited. Help your peers out as often as you can. You'll be surprised how often you'll run into someone from ROTC or someone who knows them. When you get to Advanced Camp (summer of your junior year), it'll feel like Basic all over again (but easier); again, check the attitude and just be the best soldier you can. The evaluation you get there will also greatly influence what you get from your requests at accession. Glad to see a hard charger following my footsteps! Lead the Way!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-08-19T16:50:37-04:00

Once you get accepted to a college, the Recruiting Operations Officer will acedimically allign you into a mission set. Even though you have two years of school, you may possibily become a sophmore due to what that college accepts and tranfer credits. Once you contract as a Cadet, you will re-assess competing for Active Duty or Guard/Reserves. Active duty is not garanteed unless you go to a Senior Military College like Citadel or VMI. Campus based performace, GPA, APFT, LDAC/CLC are all tied to this. You will be competing to assess among peers nation wide. You will start your assesions process Spring semester of your Junior year. For your assions packet you will select perfered Componet (Active, Guard, Reserves) select your branch preference, and Duty assignment if Active. This is all do by the ROTC Battlion's HRAs. That Summer you'll, attend The Cadet Leadership Course at FT Knox, and complete your assesions when you return at the end of the Summer. Branching is awarded in the Fall OCT/NOV your Senior year. Degree work usually does not play a role into Officer Branching, but I did see a Chemical Engineer Student Branch Chemical. It was #7 on his wish list. Hope this helps.

Response by LTC Richard Cassem made Aug 19 at 2015 9:46 PM

2015-08-19T21:46:15-04:00

I suspect that you will have to compete for you MOS with your peers without regard for any other factors.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-08-21T20:16:48-04:00

You will be assigned a branch based on your ranking on the national ROTC OML, which is in turn based on a combination of your PT scores, GPA, leadership evals, etc. Your degree plays no part at all (except for a few engineering slots reserved for engineering majors), nor does your prior MOS. You are assigned a component before a branch (AD/AR/NG) which is also based on the OML. If you ask for reserves or NG you will almost certainly get it. Only AD slots are competitive.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 8:46 AM

2015-09-04T08:46:40-04:00

You really have to understand the accessions process, it is very important that every cadet knows the expectations of him/her while they go through the first phase of the ROTC commissioning process. Every year group has an Order of Merit list (OML). Every single cadet in the entire nation is ranked on the OML. Although the accession process has been tweaked even as recently as my year group, there are certain criteria that affect your score that remains the same. The only difference would be the algorithm they use to calculate the rate. Nonetheless, EVERYTHING you do as a cadet counts: academics, PT score, performance at advanced camp, participation in your ROTC unit, military schools (i.e. airborne, air assault), your involvement in the community, etc. etc. You get points for your performance in all these things. That being said, your current MOS has zero affect on your OML score, nor your branch assignment. Zero. I was a PSYOP specialist, 4 time combat veteran, former OC at the Joint Multinational Training Center, SSG, etc...all that didn't matter to anything. What did matter from my enlisted career that went into my OML score was that I was airborne qualified, language qualified, and that I went to multiple deployments to different countries and did a Germany tour (which fulfilled the cultural awareness score). I worked very hard to get good grades and maintain a high PT score to get what I wanted. During your senior year, you fill out a branch selection worksheet; you rank all 16 branches in order to your liking. The accessions board then assigns you your branch by a complex process using your OML position and available branch assignments.

So, all that being said, you have to do very well and have a high OML score to get what you really want. You really have to understand the scoring system and realize as soon as you reach campus, your performance means everything. The statement below is correct, if you go Active Duty Option you are almost guaranteed an active duty commission. However, if you do poorly expect to get one of the least popular branches. Take pride in what you do and appreciate the fact that you are being awarded an active duty commission if that is what you desire. There are a lot of cadets out there that bust their ass for four whole years and at the end, they are upset because they didn't make the cut and got commissioned into the Reserve/National Guard. Best of luck to you, feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2018 9:51 AM

2018-02-27T09:51:59-05:00

Be sure to contact the school you are trying to get into. I had almost 50 credits and they were all accepted, but (huge but here) not all of them were accepted to fulfill the requirements of my major. Some went to Gen Ed, rest went to electives. So I had to cram a lot of classes per semester to meet ROTC class requirements (Leadership Lab, etc) and specifics for my major. I had a 3 year scholarship, which I thought would allow a leisurely pace through college. But after my first semester, I ended up taking 6 or 7 classes total per semester; including summer and winter classes to graduate on time. ROTC does have some specific classes required each semester (varies by campus), plus you need to be actively involved in ROTC activities.

Remember, you have been on active duty, many of your peers will look up to you for guidance and will have a lot of questions. Answer them honestly, and be sure they know it was from your perspective as an enlisted soldier. I found that my perspective changed once I got to see what officers really did behind the scenes.

Keep the faith and thanks for serving our nation in this time of need. Hooah!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 1:57 PM

2018-03-21T13:57:35-04:00

You are commissioned into the Army with a four year payback, and then years later you become Colonel or General.