Posted on Feb 2, 2018
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ROTC
College
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 6
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I did it the hard way. Some would disagree - to them I would say unless you endured the crucible that is Army, Marine, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard OCS - you are uttering an opinion based upon conjecture and supposition. In OCS - you either made it or you didn't.
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MAJ Alvin B.
In my time. You had to have at least three years of college to apply for OCS. Having only completed my AS degree on actI’ve duty, I was fortunate to be selected for the Army ROTC 2 year enlisted scholarship program; just making the non esivetable - under 24 on 30 June in the year of commissioning, with 4 yeas and 3 months of active duty credit
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LTC Orlando Illi
MAJ Alvin B. - it was 2 years when I went through (1977-78). Once you were in and started the course - no body cared about your degree or lack of one. You either made it or you didn't. There was no graduation quota at OCS
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How bout they let some of us old guys cross over thru OCS??? The Army would have me for another 20 years if they gave me the honor of becoming an officer. Instead, the Army chooses to watch me leave in four more years— at 20 years TIS. Still runnin’ In the 13s and keepin’ Up with the youngsters no problem!!!
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SGM (Join to see)
I know. Apparently even though I’m still under 40 (for a couple more months, anyway) I’m too old. Bad policy!
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I find this rather interesting yet irritating. It’s a good incentive for those who would like to be in the ROTC program but can’t afford it. However, why are we offering bonuses there and not for most who re enlist? Or go from active duty to NG or reserves? Or how about that money goes towards countless outdated equipment, barracks, buildings etc across the board?
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COL Jon Thompson
Bonuses and other financial incentives are usually based on the needs of the service. In this case, the Army required Cadet Command to increase its annual commission mission for FY20 in order to meet the junior officer needs for the growing regular Army. They did this without providing much in additional scholarship funds. However, the Army did approve this bonus in lieu of scholarship funds. These prospects have to go to camp this summer so there isn't much time to recruit them in order to meet the Army's needs. So this is simply an incentive for them to go to Basic Camp and hopefully commit to ROTC. After taxes, a cadet will probably take home around $3700 which is not going to cover a half of a semester. So this is a relatively inexpensive way to grow the junior officer corps.
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SGT (Join to see)
COL Jon Thompson thank you for the information. It certainly makes more sense now. I wish that was out there before I joined going to college but as you said it’s based of the needs of the Army.
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