ROTC Questions

[PhilK]

Hey guys,

Being an Army ROTC grad, I wanted to provide a place for those cadets who are looking at an Army ROTC program or those already in an Army ROTC program to have a place to ask questions.

Now, I do expect you to have done some research before you come asking a question, but I also know that not everything about the program can be found on the web.

One last thing...this is about Army ROTC, not JROTC. I never was in JROTC and only know enough about it to be dangerous.

I will close with that.

MAJ K

[cscsmp]

I am currently contracted with ROTC and doing the SMP program with the Guard. My question doesn't pertain so much to ROTC as it does OBC. All I ever really hear about is LDAC (for obvious reasons) but never OBC. Granted OBC is still a ways off for me but I have not idea what to expect. I know it's different for every field but I'm just wondering what the overall atmosphere is like. Thanks in advance.

[PhilK]

I am currently contracted with ROTC and doing the SMP program with the Guard. My question doesn't pertain so much to ROTC as it does OBC. All I ever really hear about is LDAC (for obvious reasons) but never OBC. Granted OBC is still a ways off for me but I have not idea what to expect. I know it's different for every field but I'm just wondering what the overall atmosphere is like. Thanks in advance.

Good question.

Your OBC will depend on your branch, and each OBC does have a different "flavor" to it.

I attended Infantry OBC and you ended up spending about 50% of your time in the field. A typical week would run Monday through Friday, PT every morning and then classes starting around 0800. There were times we would spend one week in the classroom followed by one week in the field. (Example: Study the principles of the offense for one week, and then go out and execute the principles of the offense in the field)

The overall atmosphere is one very similar to a school. You have homework, you are expected to study outside of class and research things on your own. BUT...you are very much in a military school, so your TACs can drop you in a heart beat if they think you have your head up your fourth point of contact. OBC IS NOT a Gentleman's course. (You get to go to those later on.)

What branch are you looking at, and I can relay the stories I have heard (if any).

[Airbourne Infantry]

When is a good time to set up an interview? I'm a Junior in High School right now and really leaning more towards Army ROTC than AFROTC. Is it too soon to set up an interview? And who do I need to talk to to make that happen?

[PhilK]

When is a good time to set up an interview? I'm a Junior in High School right now and really leaning more towards Army ROTC than AFROTC. Is it too soon to set up an interview? And who do I need to talk to to make that happen?

Set up an interview for what?

If you want to take Army ROTC, then you just sign up for the class like any other college class.

You are not a contracted cadet until your Junior year (unless you get a scholarship), so the first two years you can take the classes and participate in the program to see if it is something you want to do with your life.

I never went through an interview process, except when I was being interviewed for a scholarship before my Junior Year.

Now, if you want to go in and talk to the ROO (Recruiting officer) for the program, then I would recommend that. You can get a feel for the program and what they are like. As a non-contracted MS1 or MS2, you are pretty much just a number to your Professor of Military Science who will spend all his time with the MS 3 and MS 4 classes.

[Airbourne Infantry]

I want to apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. Would I have to talk to the PMS or someone else?

[PhilK]

I want to apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. Would I have to talk to the PMS or someone else?

Start here: http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.jsp

Then go here: http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/find_schools.jsp

Once you narrow down which schools you are interested in, go to the ROTC web site for the school and contact either the Gold Bar Recruiter or the Recruiting Operations Officer (ROO).

Keep in mind, ROTC is not run like JROTC. Most programs have a Professor of Military Science (Active Duty LTC or COL), one or two Assistant Professor of Military Science (MAJ or CPT), a Recruiting Operations Officer (could be one of the APMS), a Gold Bar Recruiter (2LT), one or two Senior Military Instructors (SGM, MSG or SFC), then the support staff (Secretaries, Supply Techs, etc.).

Having said all that, if you try and contact the PMS directly, you will either not get past his secretary or he will immediately direct you to the ROO or Gold Bar Recruiter. Do your homework and don't be "that guy" on your first day of class.

[ClearShot89]

Alright, I have done some research, but found very little in what I have a question about. My question is, do you need to attend any other college courses in order to be in ROTC?

[ang1sgt]

Alright, I have done some research, but found very little in what I have a question about. My question is, do you need to attend any other college courses in order to be in ROTC?

Excuse me?

Of course you have other course you take. ROTC only adds to your work load with the classes you need to have for Commissioning. Other than that, you have a full course load like in Electrical Engineering or other technical career.

[PhilK]

Alright, I have done some research, but found very little in what I have a question about. My question is, do you need to attend any other college courses in order to be in ROTC?

Ok, first if you were only attending College to take a ROTC course then you are pretty much wasting your money. The amount of money you would be spending on fees and other expenses would not make taking one ROTC class cost effective.

Now, in answer to your question. If you wish to take a MS I or MS II class by itself, then technically yes you could just sign up for a ROTC class. You could not do that with any of the Senior level courses because then you are a contracted Cadet and have submitted a degree plan to graduate and get your commission upon graduation.

The entire point of ROTC is that it is additional classes you take while working toward your degree so that when you graduate with your Bachelor's (or higher) degree you also get your commission.

In ROTC to two things go hand in hand, you get your degree = you get your commission. No degree = no commission. (Through ROTC, OCS is a different story)

I would recommend that you take a full 9-12 hour class load (15-18 if you are one of those over achievers) and that ROTC be one of those classes you take.

[ClearShot89]

Ok, first if you were only attending College to take a ROTC course then you are pretty much wasting your money. The amount of money you would be spending on fees and other expenses would not make taking one ROTC class cost effective.

Now, in answer to your question. If you wish to take a MS I or MS II class by itself, then technically yes you could just sign up for a ROTC class. You could not do that with any of the Senior level courses because then you are a contracted Cadet and have submitted a degree plan to graduate and get your commission upon graduation.

The entire point of ROTC is that it is additional classes you take while working toward your degree so that when you graduate with your Bachelor's (or higher) degree you also get your commission.

In ROTC to two things go hand in hand, you get your degree = you get your commission. No degree = no commission. (Through ROTC, OCS is a different story)

I would recommend that you take a full 9-12 hour class load (15-18 if you are one of those over achievers) and that ROTC be one of those classes you take.

Ah I see, I figured thats what it was but I kinda just figured it would be better to ask then go not knowing. Thanks

[MP_Girl]

Can I join ROTC if I was medically discharged (I'll PM you with details on what happened, maybe my case is different) from the National Guard?

[PhilK]

Can I join ROTC if I was medically discharged (I'll PM you with details on what happened, maybe my case is different) from the National Guard?

You can take MS I and MS II courses no problem.

Now...being prior service, and I am assuming you successfully completed Basic Training, you can bypass the MS I and MS II years and go straight to being a contracted MS III (assuming you are an academic Junior).

If your medical condition is treatable or reversable and you get blessed off during your MEPS physical (prior to your Junior/MS III year) then you can contract and later get your commission. If you are not able to get through MEPS, then you will not be able to contract.

So, MS I and MS II...no problem. MS III and MS IV....depends on your medical condition.

[El Supremo]

I am told to attend Georgia Military College, or Citadel, I must spend "x" amount on dollars on the grey standard uniform for each of these colleges; plus USMA, and VMI.

I have searched google, for where I can find the Grey uniforms worn by these colleges/academies for companies that sell them, but all to no avail, is anyone a graduate from these colleges/academies that can shed some light on this subject?

[PhilK]

First it is "I" not "i".

Second, I recommend that you get better at your research skills before you enter my beloved ROTC program.

Citadel Corps Catalog - Here (http://citadel.edu/r3/academics/catalog/cadet0809/cadet-catalog-0809-u20080916.pdf)

Georgia Military College Catalog - Here (http://www.gmc.cc.ga.us/pdfs/GMC06-08.pdf)

USMA Admission FAQ - Here (http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_cadets.cfm)

VMI Tuition and Fees page - Here (http://www.vmi.edu/Admissions.aspx?id=8617&ekmensel=fb5d653b_20_307_btnlink)

Each of these institutions have websites for a reason.

[soccermark23]

Here's a question for you Sir. This goes a little bit beyond what has been discussed, but I figured it couldn't hurt.

If you were in my position, someone who is prior service and already earned a Bachelor's Degree. Would it be possible to take ROTC while studying towards a Master's Degree? And also, at what point in the program would you start?

[PhilK]

If you were in my position, someone who is prior service and already earned a Bachelor's Degree. Would it be possible to take ROTC while studying towards a Master's Degree? And also, at what point in the program would you start?

Yes, it is possible. When I graduated, the Cadet Battalion Commander was working on his Master's degree.

What I would recommend is that you contact the ROTC department at the school you are looking to attend and once you are two years from graduating, you enter the program as a MS III and a contracted cadet. Since you are prior service, you can skip the first two years and also skip the "Basic Camp" before your Junior year.

Now, another road you can look into is trying for a direct commission. However...I recommend going through a traditional commissioning source so you get the basics you need before you ship off to your Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) II and III (formerly known as your Officer Basic Course).

You have the basic military knoweldge, but making the switch to the Officer Corps, it helps to have that institutional knowledge.