When doing the ROTC SMP program, do you have to commission into the same branch that you are drilling with?

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:11:24 -0400

I am starting SMP GRFD scholarship and want to know that if the unit i pick to drill with during school will be the same one i commission into or do i commission somewhere completely different? thank you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 2:14 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:14:43 -0400

No, SMP is simply a way to learn how unit’s operate on the reserve and national guard side. When I was SMP my recruiters made us drill with incoming privates.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 2:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:16:19 -0400

Absolutely not. You choose your branches as your complete your MS3 and 4 years. Then you get your branch and unit. Sometime you can choose your unit with the guard but not always. My advise get a platoon leader slot not staff.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 2:18 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:18:50 -0400

Correct. I was SMP and drilled with a SAPPER unit and a Signal unit. It’s fairly easy to switch around as well once you are contracted because as an 09R you don’t really count on anyone’s roster so as long as the RNCO doesn’t mind doing the paperwork and the receiving unit wants you, it’s fairly quick.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 3:04 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:04:21 -0400

Not typically, during your MS1 and 2 years they will put you wherever there’s a spot really. Your 3 and 4 years you can typically chose based on what branches you’re interested in, and they may even put you in the Unit/PLT that you will be leading upon commissioning. But your state/unit could do something completely different, just my experience!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 3:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:35:27 -0400

No, you don’t have to commission into the same branch as the unit you are conducting your SMP duty with. However, because you are a GRFD, you no longer can compete for active component.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jul 30 at 2018 4:37 PM

LTC John Mohor — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 16:37:57 -0400

The unit you're in now probably won't have a direct bearing on where you go later. The general operations you learn at that unit will still be a good part of your life long leadership lessons learned regardless. The one good thing it does is starts your credit toward retirement and service toward pay regardless of later component in which you're serving.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 9:58 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 09:58:42 -0400

Cadet CPL Broc Peterson So you can choose if you want it to be then yes, but it doesn't have to be, if you don't select a unit/position the reserve/guard will choose for you. My advice is to find the unit you want to commission into and transfer to that unit, during your MS3 year you can get a paragraph and line item number from that unit and you will be guaranteed to be commissioned into that slot with the appropriate branch. If you don't select a unit you'll be put into the state/reserve selection process and they will assign you a branch and a unit based on their needs and your selected preference.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 1:24 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 13:24:59 -0400

Up to you and the unit CO...I requested an LOA from my BN CDR during my Senior year & got it. Some considerations...were you prior enlisted in that unit? - does it have a command climate you want to be in - there may be other means they have of recruiting officers - talk to Company Staff, S1, Commander & see if they are willing to accept you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 10:07 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 22:07:39 -0400

I was enlisted MP, then SMP'd with the same unit. However, I commissioned FA and went to a FA unit after graduating. I'm back to MP, but that was my choice for a position I wanted after making Captain. Good luck!

Response by CPT Blake Ruggiero made Aug 23 at 2018 11:40 AM

CPT Blake Ruggiero — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:40:30 -0400

As others have said the answer is, no it won't. I did SMP with a Medical Support Unit and commissioned Engineer.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 7:48 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 07:48:47 -0400

No it shouldn’t be. Generally speaking the soldiers will never really see you as an officer if you were a cadet there. You should be looking around for a unit just before graduating

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Nov 3 at 2018 6:35 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:35:01 -0400

No, your SMP unit has no bearing on what you do as an officer. However, it can help you out. For instance, Aviation is a very competitive branch. If you are an SMP cadet in an aviation unit, it may give you a leg up on other cadets hoping to access into that. The same thing can apply for Military Intelligence. But you can look at completely different units as well.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2018 8:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 20:06:59 -0500

you get to pick your branch and unit. the only thing is they have to except you. I know some people have already picked their branch this year and received their BOLC dates. I am going active duty and still have not received my branch, post, or BOLC dates. I also commission in a month. army reserves and national guard is completely different from active duty.