What can I do to prevent the loss of a Federal Nurse Army ROTC Scholarship opportunity because my Reserve unit won't release me?

SPC (Join to see) - Yep, call you congressman. How much is the nursing scholarship?

MAJ (Join to see) Its 10,000 per year so 20,000 plus 1200 per year for books and 500 per month for 2 years of a stipend

So more than double your TA, the stipend is the standard ROTC stipend I presume. Worth fighting for, for sure.

MAJ (Join to see) - Thank you, sir. And definitely worth fighting for.

I would counsel to only go that Congressional route if you have no other option because this (a Congressional Inquiry) will be received at the unit(s) both ROTC and USAR like a missile strike> CG calling down, immediate response required, call people in on Sunday, etc. etc. and it could backfire and bring a lot of recriminations and disdain your way - even if it is your right to do so, and, even if you are in the right. Everyone will resent the hell out of it > unless you have made every reasonable effort to clear fires at your level and with your Commanders, and then > I'd tell your NCO / officer that this is the next step you plan to take. I have been on both ends of Congressionals in unit(s) and I recommend you resolve this at the lowest level possible!

COL John McClellan - Thank you sir for replying. As of now my ROTC enrollment officer contacted his boss, and he called my unit and chain of command. But if it does come to that point, I will definitely take that route, but like you mentioned sir, stay at the lowest level.

I replied to your internal message not knowing you had mentioned you had contacted your ROTC chain of command and they are pushing the issue before you go nuclear

SPC (Join to see) - I am assuming you have gone thru the chain of command and if so they CANNOT deny you the opportunity to talk to IG or a chaplain, in fact that is an IG complaint in and of itself. Time to talk to your congressman and/or senator.

Thank you sir, for replying. Well the situation goes like this. I currently serve in the Army reserves. I've been accepted to a nursing school in Kansas. While attending that university, I decided to join Army ROTC. We created a packet and sent it off. Later, I was nominated for a 2 year Federal Nurse scholarship, which I filled out all the paperwork and the professor of military science has given me an intent letter. I worked hard for this especially this type of scholarship, which opens the doors to Active duty. Now, at my reserve unit they are hurting in retention. I've communicated with my unit about it long time before I even was in ROTC. Now they are getting mad for "jumping over chain of command", when in fact its ROTC trying to get me released. Our enrollment officer has called the BN S1 and stated that 368 Conditional release forms should be signed NLT 3 to 5 days so it may move up the chain of command. As of now, it has been 3 weeks. My unit commander also said that she will sign the 368 if I only go to Annual training, which is 3 weeks long. I told the commander i won't be able since I'm taking classes that I need for Nursing school and one of these classes I need licensure by the state. Which as mandated by the state I can't miss a single day. Not only is this a problem, but I created a packet with all items such a nursing program requirmemts, state law for CNA course, my rotc scholarship memo, etc. All this I've done and My ROTC cadre are getting tired that for reservists its harder to release than Guard. All I want to do is serve as active duty nurse, and the Army. But this barrier from the reserves is scaring me to a potentiality of losing my scholarship. This is one of the reasons why I want to become an officer. Again thank you for replying.

I understand the position you are in but you also have to fulfill your responsibilities as a current Soldier in that unit. AT is required and usually planned out well in advance. If this was not the case in your unit, well, I wouldn't be surprised but that's a tough fight to make from the ranks, because it involves the Army value of "duty" - i.e. folks will accuse you of not doing yours. Your aspirations aside, you are going to need to find a way to thread this needle and the best route is for everyone to be informed of the situation and what you are trying to do and why, and who you have talked to at every step of the way. Hang in there, stay calm, be patient and press your case but don't fail to show up at the appointed place/time or you will hurt yourself w/your unit and the leaders you need on your side!

COL John McClellan - Tracking sir, but the only issue is this CNA course, which I need for my upper division nursing courses is not only mandated by the Nursing program but as well by the state of Indiana and Kansas.