What options or advice would you give someone planning to attend college and taking part in their ROTC program?

2017-02-28T21:28:54-05:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 9:41 PM

2017-02-28T21:41:52-05:00

No through the simultaneous membership program with the Missouri national guard! Thank you for clarifying.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 10:07 PM

2017-02-28T22:07:33-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member That sounds like a good idea to me. Listen, observe, and be the best Cadet that you can.

https://www.usmilitary.com/33726/army-rotc-a-good-choice-for-you/

Army ROTC a Good Choice For You? | USMilitary.com

Army ROTC offers tremendous opportunities for high school and college student who are interested in a career in the military. Get the facts on the Army ROTC program here.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 10:37 PM

2017-02-28T22:37:47-05:00

I think sometimes it's better to go from Enlisted to Officer, you understand more of the Enlisted perspective which may help you lead.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 28 at 2017 10:41 PM

2017-02-28T22:41:47-05:00

I think it's an excellent idea, SGT Private RallyPoint Member. Where will you go to school?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 11:06 PM

2017-02-28T23:06:54-05:00

I have one battle in Tennessee who is going ROTC as well. He said it's similar to AIT as a Cadet, there is a student leadership just like AIT. Something you may find frustrating he mentioned is that you having already been through and are already a Soldier will take orders from a senior ranking cadet that has not been through and is still a Civilian.

Of course unlike AIT you get to go home at the end of the day.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 11:36 PM

2017-02-28T23:36:07-05:00

Look into the simultaneous membership program. Best to have the college years be "good years" for retirement and not just years in service. Use and share the information/experience learned from both groups and I suspect you will be a highly successful leader in the end.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Mar 1 at 2017 2:18 AM

2017-03-01T02:18:59-05:00

Great choice. Lobby the ROTC cadre hard to send you to Air Assault School or Airborne School during the Summer. Those schools are not always available to Guard folks later (and not always available to RA guys either depending on their branch).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2017 7:47 AM

2017-03-01T07:47:53-05:00

I've did a similar option path but, came from active duty enlisted. It should work out well for you having an better understanding of the Army and how to follow when others are in charge. In my experience the biggest problem in ROTC is cadets without prior military experience don't know how to follow. This why things in the Army can be private proof but, not cadet proof.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 1 at 2017 8:29 AM

2017-03-01T08:29:54-05:00

Probably a smart move, but ultimately, only you can answer this question. If i had it to do all over again, I wish I would have...and not just when the retirement check hits the bank.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 1 at 2017 8:38 AM

2017-03-01T08:38:32-05:00

I had two nephews who went through the ROTC program at the University of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Both are 1st Lt's now in the AF and doing well. Both of them received a free ride scholarship through the ROTC program so make sure you look into that as it might save you a boatload of money! It was a great experience and they both said they would do it again in an instant. The very best of luck to you and congratulations on your decision to attend both ROTC and College to further your education.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2017 10:12 AM

2017-03-01T10:12:55-05:00

Put on a positive attitude for all ROTC functions. Understand that it is not the "real army". Being prior enlisted will give you an edge. Help those who have never been in the service before.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2017 10:32 AM

2017-03-01T10:32:59-05:00

1. Maintain your grades.
2. Be proactive at participating in the program events/activities.
3. Learn the OML list requirements, make a four year college plan, and incorporate those requirements into your plan. e.g. joining an intramural team, being a leader in a club (president, VP, etc.), taking foreign language.
4. Maintain your PT score and reach that 300.
5. Ask about schools like Airborne and Air Assault or other opportunities with the program.
6. Always ask and learn more about your different career options and keep an open mind to possibilities.
7. Join the Ranger Challenge team if you have one it is great training, great opportunity, and will train you as well as keep you fit.
8. If there are ROTC cadets in your ranks that are prior service this can be both good and bad. Learn from those senior to you as well as your instructors. However, not all lessons or advice from prior service is fact. So keep an open mind once again and judge for yourself once you are in.
9. Lastly,ENJOY COLLEGE! Every commissioning source has its pros and cons. College ROTC affords students to live civilian life while tasting the military. Gain experience at all you can as this will better you and make you more of a diverse office in the future.

There are many more lessons I could write on here but these are the ones I would recommend as a good starting point.
GPA and PT will be the two single largest factors contributing to your OML. Keep that in mind.

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 11:23 AM

2017-03-03T11:23:54-05:00

It really depends on the school to see what you'll get out of it. I started at the university of Alabama and hated it, most of the cadets were selfish jerks that acted like it was HS where they were special because they were athletes. Now I'm at Georgia Gwinnett College which is a part of the university of Georgia ROTC and it's way better. I advise you to look into the ROTC program and see what group works best for you. Some programs are way better than others. If you can afford it, university of Hawaii is a real good program. If you can find one that is a satellite ROTC that is attached to a larger program but is not on the same campus those tend to be best. Smaller "company" ROTC programs vs the "Battalion" ROTC programs.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Mar 4 at 2017 7:47 PM

2017-03-04T19:47:08-05:00

Do the disciplines, train in customs and traditions but listen to experience when you become commissioned and active. Contrary to most ROTC belief, the uniform does not make the man

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 5 at 2017 1:32 AM

2017-03-05T01:32:01-05:00

Do your best, as our Soldier's lives depend on you... Learn your profession well, and never stop learning.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 8 at 2019 9:23 AM

2019-07-08T09:23:38-04:00

William and mary

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 8 at 2019 9:24 AM

2019-07-08T09:24:10-04:00

Or tennisee state

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 8 at 2019 2:24 PM

2019-07-08T14:24:29-04:00

Texas A&M has 2,600 ROTC Cadets.

Response by Cadet CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 5:54 PM

2020-02-28T17:54:59-05:00

(Funny, I personally know 2 of the people in that picture. They're Cadets in my Battalion.)

BLUF: Stay in shape, review what you learned in Basic, understand that Cadetland is not the "Real Army", and you'll probably be one of the best Cadets there.

Judging by the fact that you've made it to E-4 already, I would believe that ROTC would be no sweat for you. The first 2 years are considered the "Basic Course"; the information you learn is roughly what you learned in Basic. Specific emphasis is placed on standard drills such as TCCC, calling a 9-Line, Rifle Handling (SPORTS, Disassembly/Reassembly/Functions Check), and the like. I would advise you review them (if necessary) to show up squared away.

The Prior Enlisted folk in ROTC are pretty much always the best in the program and as a result, the junior Cadets will look up to you. If you are willing to help them, they will appreciate that. Just understand that since you're older, you might find them to be immature (I do sometimes, and I'm their age), and they don't take everything as seriously as they should (wearing the uniform to standard, showing up on time, actually reviewing the stuff they learn, etc). It can be disheartening sometimes to see that THOSE are the people that will become Officers, but also recognize that not all are like that, and many will actively want your guidance.

At the same time, PLEASE don't become arrogant. I know a few "Ranger Joes" that went to Basic, didn't do much after that, yet act like a BAMF War Hero and crap on others. Don't be that guy. I doubt you will be though, you're humble enough to actually ask others for advice. Still, even when the junior people look "stupid" in your eyes, recognize that you should try to help them first before writing them off.

Finally, I've recognized more and more in my time in the program that Cadetland is not an accurate portrayal of life in the Army, and that will definitely be an adjustment for you. I often joke that "Here in Cadetland, ranks are a fashion statement and saluting is optional". While this isn't entirely true, you will need to find some intrinsic discipline (which you may already have) to ensure you're "squared away" and up to standards. Nobody will likely punish you if you forget to salute, don't give the greeting of the day, show up to formation with 30 seconds to spare, or general "shitbird" behavior. In my eyes this lack of discipline is harmful and will produce lackluster Officers, but that's a whole nother story. Many days after an ROTC PT session I'll feel that I got smoked more back in Future Soldier PT by my recruiter than by ROTC, which is also concerning XD. But remembering to discipline yourself will take you far, especially past the Cadets that choose not to (and ultimately struggle when shit hits the fan).

I hope these observations help you. Feel free to DM me with any specific questions.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2020 10:58 AM

2020-03-10T10:58:43-04:00

*Rutgers* ——> Scarlet Knight Battalion (link)

https://armyrotc.rutgers.edu/home

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