Will I lose my GI Bill kicker as a reservist if I do ROTC and commission as an officer before my reserve contract is up?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:10:04 -0400

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 15 at 2020 4:16 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:16:13 -0400

You should ask local career counselor and the recruiting officer at the school that you want to attend. He/she may be able to clarify what the implications would be regarding future commissioning and enlisted contract bonuses. Side note: Many reservists doing college ROTC are part of SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program).

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 4:19 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:19:33 -0400

Once you commission you will be on a new contract and there will not be a MGIB-kicker. However, anything you used prior to does not have to be paid back. Not sure if that answers your question.

Response by SSG Bill Moore made Jul 15 at 2020 4:36 PM

SSG Bill Moore — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:36:39 -0400

Check your DD4, your enlistment contract. It'll have the information you inquire about. If not see your career counselor.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 5:17 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 17:17:22 -0400

Yes.
It is a whole new contract with different stipulations and bonus addendums.

Response by SSG Anthony Yates made Jul 16 at 2020 8:50 AM

SSG Anthony Yates — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 08:50:16 -0400

Know, you our grandfather in you earn that benefit!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 11:17 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 11:17:35 -0400

No. I don’t believe so. I am doing ROTC this fall and I am still able to use my Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. But it depends on if you’re taking a scholarship or not. I am doing the non-scholarship option and I’m still able to use it. If I were to do the GRFD scholarship, then I wouldn’t be able to use my G.I. Bill. It just depends on what route you take.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jul 16 at 2020 12:09 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 12:09:31 -0400

There are two answers to your question. Once you commission, you start a new service obligation and will not receive a GI bill kicker as an officer. However, you may still have Reserve GI Bill eligibility depending on how contracted and into which component you commissioned. Before commissioning, you may still be eligible for a kicker as an SMP cadet. However, a kicker you received based on your MOS may go away. There are certain scholarships that cause you to lose your GI bill and some that don't. Rule of thumb is that if you lose GI bill eligibility, you lose the kicker. But each person is different.