ARNG or ROTC

[Airbourne Infantry]

I've been trying to make sense of the Army National Guard and the Army ROTC program to try to decide which way is the better route to go. If I were to do the Guard, I'd go to BCT this summer, come back to graduate High School, and then go to AIT. After AIT I'd come back to be stationed at my hometown Guard unit and go to the local university and enroll in ROTC. Through this I'd have the Montgomery GI Bill, Guardsman pay, Enlistment bonus, and tuition assistance to take advantage of. But the thing is, I'd have to make sure I got back from AIT in time to make the fall semester of college and I already know that doing that might not be possible.

On the other hand, if I got a scholarship for AROTC, my tuition, books and other fees would be paid for. I'd also have money every month to use for pretty much whatever I needed. But I have to maintain a 2.0 to stay off academic probation. Plus, getting a scholarship isn't a definite and not something I can count on.

I'm just trying to lay out my options here and decide which way to go would be better. True, going through the Guard would have me doing a lot more but it's not like it won't be beneficial. And again, the ROTC scholarship might get me more for college. I know the final decision is mine, but does anyone have any other information they can share to help me out? This is one tough decision :(

[cscsmp]

I would talk to your recruiter as well as an officer with the ROTC program and see if you can't get in the SMP program. Then you get the best of both worlds. Right now that's what I am doing and I receive full tuition, books, $350 a month tax free (because I'm an MSII, an MSI is $300 I believe), and E5 pay for drill.

[Airbourne Infantry]

Are you on scholarship?

[cscsmp]

Full tuition, yes.

[an7on]

That is similar to what I'm doing, however with the National Guard, you also have access to Federal and State Tuition assistance. I go to a State College, so tuition is already pretty cheap for me. I opted for a 3 year Dedicated ARNG Scholarship covering room and board, and then applied for (and received) Federal Tuition Assistance from the National Guard, resulting in a full ride for the most part.

If you go through Basic and AIT, yes, you are eligible for the GI bill. However, you have 36 months of benefits... meaning if you took it for the final 3 years of college, you would exhaust your funds by the time you finish your undergraduate studies. I considered this, but decided to save the GI Bill for Graduate School. You can also apply for Federal/State tuition assistance as much as you want.

All of this, on top of the 600/semester for books, 350/month MSII stipend and E5 pay for drills, results in a great program/route.

Also, I chose to drill with a local Infantry unit - considering everything we do in ROTC is basic Infantry squad/platoon level tactics, this has greatly helped me so far, and expect it to help as I go through MS III year into LDAC. The experience you gain from participating in a live unit is unparalleled to fellow Cadets', and only realized by prior enlisted.

What I recommend doing is what I've listed above if you're interested in saving money for Grad school - do not go to BCT/AIT and take a 3 year GRFD from the Guard OR a 4 year Active Duty and convert it before your Sophomore year to reap benefits all four years.

If you do decide to go to Basic/AIT, from what I understand, Basic and AIT for 11B (Infantryman) can both be completed within the summer before your freshmen year of college - this would make you eligible for the GI Bill.

No matter what, start ROTC your freshmen year and take a GRFD Scholarship - usually easy to get as long as your first year grades are better than a 2.75 GPA and you inform of your PMS early enough. The only thing really holding anyone back from any kind of scholarship is always the grades. If you have the grades, you will get a scholarship.

[CAPSmith]

Here's a true story...

My wife did 4 years on active duty in the USAF. She separated and joined the Air National Guard as an E-5 traditional guardsman.

This particular ANG has tuition waiver (go to a state school and you don't have to pay). They also have a GI Bill kicker (additional amount on top of your GI Bill). So, she uses the tuition waiver, collects her GI Bill + the kicker ($1,800 / month total) AND is in AFROTC.

However, she can't go on scholarship with ROTC and collect the GI Bill benefits (no double dipping). When it comes time to commission she'll get released from her guard enlistment.

(Of course this is the Air Force side) Choice is yours though.