Posted on Nov 26, 2018
SPC Information Technology Specialist
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I'm current enlisted, hoping to use my enlisted benefits to go to masters, while doing ROTC to get commissioned, but I was wondering if I use enlisted benefits instead of ROTC scholarship, do I still have a duty obligation? if so, can I stay as reserve and would it still be 6 years? (and how would it affect my current contract, let's say I have 3 years left, would the new officer contract void the enlisted one?
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COL Jon Thompson
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Edited >1 y ago
If you are not on a scholarship, you can use any education benefits that you have earned. This includes Reserve GI Bill. If you are doing a 2-year ROTC program such as a Masters program, you would have sign an ROTC contract. As part of that, you can request a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) control number which would help lock you in to the USAR. You would incur a new 6-year service obligation as a non-scholarship contract cadet and that would start when you are commissioned. So it would supersede your current contract. You would also have to be a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) cadet in your unit. This means you would be an officer trainee (AKA 3rd Lieutenant). If you have more questions, you can message me directly. However, the best source of information would be my counterpart (Recruiting Operations Officer) at whatever school you are looking at. You can also compete for a 2-year Masters program scholarship and guarantee reserve duty. That would require you to incur a new 8-year service obligation of active reserve participation.
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Maj Rob Drury
Maj Rob Drury
>1 y
SGT Richard H. - If your nephew did not incur a commitment, he was not in the ROTC program for all four years. He would have been a "drills and ceremony" status (D&C) cadet his junior and senior years.

Fightin' Texas Aggies
Class of 1984
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SGT Richard H.
SGT Richard H.
>1 y
Maj Rob Drury - That makes sense. I know for sure that he was in the Corps all 4 years, but I haven't asked him particulars about his status within the Corps.
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MAJ University Recruiting Liaison
MAJ (Join to see)
>1 y
Maj Rob Drury - You and my husband have to know each other. Send you a PM (contact).
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Maj Rob Drury
Maj Rob Drury
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MAJ (Join to see) Can't place him, but the name sounds familiar. I was in Gator 2.
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BG David Fleming III
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Once you accept your ROTC commission your Enlisted contract is voided. You need a minimum of two years left in college to enroll into the ROTC program. You will then be under contract and upon graduating you will receive a commission and have an obligation. I believe it is 4 year obligation in the Reserve, but not certain if that has changed. Best of luck!
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CPT Zachary Brooks
CPT Zachary Brooks
>1 y
Sir, my experience (back in 2008) was 6 years active and 2 reserve, or 8 years reserve.

That may have changed, but that is what I recall from back then.

SPC (Join to see) It may be best to speak to an ROTC recruiter at the college you are hoping to go to (and maybe at one locally if that is easier) and ask these specific questions. From my experience, reserve duty in it's entirety is enough to satisfy an obligation for ROTC.
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BG David Fleming III
BG David Fleming III
>1 y
You may be right. I’m only questioning if that is true for a two year contracted cadet. CPT Zachary Brooks
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CPT Zachary Brooks
CPT Zachary Brooks
>1 y
BG David Fleming III - Sir, we had two persons who went through a special training program and joined us as Juniors who then graduated with us and commissioned. They went active, but had the same requirements as far as I remember.
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COL Jon Thompson
COL Jon Thompson
>1 y
It is a 6 year Guard/Reserve + 2 years in IRR for any non-scholarship cadet who goes in a reserve component. Those on scholarship will serve 8 years with the Guard or Reserve.
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COL Dana Hampton
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You can contract with a guaranteed reserve commission in the Guard or Reserves. The obligation is typically 8 years total, but after 4 years drilling service you could possibly transfer to the IRR.

A scholarship doesn’t lock you into an Active Duty commission as far as I know. Active Duty commissions through ROTC are typically competitive on an OML.

Talk with your school’s ROTC recruiter. Also talk with the Officer Accessions Recruiter with your State NG HQs. They can give you the best course of action and they should be well versed on current policy and regulations.

Best of luck.
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COL Jon Thompson
COL Jon Thompson
>1 y
Good reply. A non-scholarship guaranteed reserve contract actually has a 6-year reserve service obligation with the other 2 years in the IRR. Any scholarship requires 8 years of active drilling.
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