Posted on Jan 19, 2017
PFC(P) 911 Disptacher
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Posted in these groups: Thcapm08l9 ROTCLeadership excellence Army ROTC
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COL Lee Flemming
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I know people that have been successful going either way. Do what makes sense for your life, career and educational goals. Stop by your local ROTC campus and talk to the PMS and a few cadets.
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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Short of a direct commission, ROTC is the easiest way to obtain a commission. It is also much easier to get into ROTC as a civilian than Active Duty (you have to apply for it and be accepted). Now for the questions:
1.) Are you financially able to go to college?
2.) Are you already enlisted?
3.) How long are you planning on being in the Military?

If you are financially able to go to college right away, I would highly recommend that. If you are already enlisted, as someone else said earlier, the SMP is what you are looking for. Going in early means that you can potentially retire at an earlier age, at a higher rank than if you go Enlisted first.

Of course, I (and a lot of other NCOs I know/work with) place a high value on seeing Officers with the Good Conduct Medal and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon on their ribbon racks. It means they were once Enlisted Soldiers and have the Enlisted perspective. But do not let that be your only deciding factor. All of my classmates from ROTC are now senior Majors and Lieutenant Colonels, and have done very well for themselves and are respected without the prior Enlisted time. It's all a matter of what you do with your rank and how you deal with subordinates.

If you want more information on going ROTC while Active Duty, you should take a look at the Green to Gold website (from the Go Army.Com website). Consider all the angles and then make the decision that suits you best.

Good Luck!
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Cadet PFC (Pre-Commission)
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I had to enlist in order to get my SMP contract with the Indiana Army National Guard to become an officer. Best decision I ever made and overall best experience I had was on Sand Hill. Highly recommend to continue with BCT and AIT before ROTC.
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