Army Early Commissioning Program at NMMI

There are several ways to become an Army Officer: OCS, Direct Commission, and ROTC. What many people don't know is that there is an Early Commissioning Program at the New Mexico Military Institute. Cadets going through this program become 2nd Lieutenants in two years compared to the traditional four year ROTC program and in some cases the five or six year prep/academy path. All are good, however, for some the Military Junior College is a good fit to get the same commission.

There are four other MJC's in the USA and each have their advantages. Just like the four year programs it is important to compare the schools to find the best fit. In terms of size, facilities, quality, opportunities, and cost NMMI is VERY competitive!

As the western most military college in the United States NMMI is geographically unique (Roswell, NM ...yes home of the 1947 Roswell Incident UFO crash). We hosted students from 48 different states and 16 different countries in SY2010-2011. In addition, we have sponsored preps from each of the five service academies, some who are dual track meaning they are "prepping" while enrolled in the ECP in the event they are not selected for an academy appoinment.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique opportunity then check us out at www.nmmi.edu/rotc

NMMI,

what are the disadvantages??? Isn't it a problem to have to attend camp with fellow cadets that have two more years of experience? Can you explain for us how a new Lieutenant completes her/his bachelor degree after she/he commissions (assuming they only earn an associates degree from the MJC)? What type of cadet is usually a good fit for ECP? Sorry to sharpshoot you a little, but you make this sound just a little too easy.

Clark,

No problem. You have valid questions as do most people who don't know how the ECP works.

Yes, ECP Cadets going to LDAC are younger and have less time to prepare however, in the NMMI "leadership laboratory" our Cadets live the Cadet lifestyle 24/7 and have an intense training program as part of their daily curriculum. The statistics show our Cadets perform just as well as the traditional ROTC Cadets in most area. Although ECP Cadets generally do not get the same ratio on "E's" on their evaluations they do outstanding compared to their older peers with twice as much prep-time. To answer your question: NO, it is not a problem, in many cases ECP Cadets perform better. Compare the numbers.

An ECP Cadet graduates from NMMI with an Associates Degree in two years as a 2nd lieutenant in either the USAR or their state NG. They have up to 36 months to complete their bachelors degree while serving as a non-deployable lieutenant. Then in the their senior year they compete against their peers in the accessions process for branch choice and duty location. They will use their tuition assistance from their unit and can elect to use the EAP (Education Assistance Program - Ike Skelton Scholarship) to pay for room and board.

The type of Cadet as a good fit for NMMI and the ECP? The best way to summarize this is STUDENT/ATHLETE/LEADER. Not all Cadets are cut out for the ECP. The schedule is demanding, the academics are rigorous, and the physical fitness challenging. We do more in two years than many Cadets do in four years at a traditional ROTC program. It is a unique environment recognized by all 5 service academies which is why we also are used as a prep school for the academies. There isn't anything easy about the program but in the end the ECP produces solid 2nd lieutenants.

We have three retired general flag officers on campus in the senior staff running the school. Our ROTC program has the very best active duty senior NCO's and officers in the Cadre. The campus facilities rival many four year schools. I can understand the speculation but for those who visit the campus and who have attended NMMI, they can tell you everything I tell you is true.

What other questions can I help clarify?

JASON E. GARCIA
Major, U.S. Army
Recruiting Operations Officer
Army ROTC Department (ECP)
New Mexico Military Institute
93' HSG, 95' JCG

Office: (575)624-8292
Fax: (575)625-2225
Admissions: 1-800-421-5376

I am interested in this program although I have a few questions. Can i attend any four year university, specificaly in florida? Also I have read that the ECP scholarship only covers the two years in JMC, is this true?

ceb...make sure you understand that this program requires you to earn the rest of your degree once you graduate from a 2 year MJC. I just had an MJC graduate show up to my school who wasn't prepared to pay for school, join a unit, or do any of the things his contract required him to do. It sounds like a great program that gets you that gold bar in only two years, but I would implore you to make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into, and what your requirements are for the next 4 years.

And the answer to your question is, NO, you have to attend a MJC to do the ECP program, and then you have to complete your bachelors degree at a school that has an ROTC program.

Thanks for the answer, but would I get any tuition paid for by the army after I transfered to the ROTC program at a 4 year school?

Here are a couple things to keep in mind. You may or may not have a scholarship when you attend the MJC. Once you graduate from the MJC you will be receiving drill pay (and drilling), and tuition assistance from the guard or reserves. Major Garcia also mentioned the EAP to help pay for room and board. What I suggest you do if you choose this path is have a solid plan for paying for all 4 years. I'm currently dealing with an ECP lieutenant that has no idea how he is going to pay for his last two years of college. Not sure what he was thinking coming to this part of the country without a solid plan. If you miss filing your TA paperwork with your unit, or fail to get the EAP paperwork in you are still expected to complete your degree on time and attend school full time. During your last two years you won't technically be in ROTC, so you won't be taking ROTC classes, and you won't be getting any benefits from ROTC (stipend or scholarship money). You are required to check in with the ROTC program where you complete your degree, but you will only be as involved with them as they want you to be. Your primary mission is to complete your bachelors degree, so you can assess (get a branch and component) on time.

this link might help.

http://www.nmmi.edu/rotc/EducationalAssistanceProgramEAP.htm

DS was told by Valley Forge MC that he could get his last 2 years of college paid for anywhere if he extended his years in the reserves or active duty. Is this correct?

I would ask that question of them, and ask them to explain it thoroughly. When I looked at the "Ike Skelton" scholarship mentioned by NMMI, I saw that it required an additional service obligation. Keep in mind part of what they advertise as "getting your school paid for" is the TA provided by the Guard or Reserve. You are required to serve in once you graduate from the MJC. That TA usually limits what schools you can afford, because it usually pays up to the cost of a state school. If you haven't figured out, I'm not a fan of the ECP program, and I will continue to caution all considering the program to make sure they understand the requirements. You need to have a solid plan for how you are going to complete your bachelors in the required time. Waiting for someone from NMMI or VFMA to chime in and tell me why I'm wrong.

NMMI Army ROTC ECP said:

Although ECP Cadets generally do not get the same ratio on "E's" on their evaluations they do outstanding compared to their older peers with twice as much prep-time.

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If ECP Cadets do not get as many E's on their LDAC evaluations, wouldn't that hurt their packets once they have accessions their senior year?
Honestly, I don't see how going to LDAC two years early will help a cadet?

NMMI Army ROTC ECP said:

Our ROTC program has the very best active duty senior NCO's and officers in the Cadre.

Click to expand...

Can you explain how this is determined?

I understand much of the ECP program and what follows graduation from a MJC. However, what I don't understand is what happens after you graduate the four year college you finish your two years at. Is a cadet from the MJC ECP program guaranteed active duty? I understand that you would be with the NG in your final two years, but would you go to active duty when you graduate at the end? If active is not guaranteed, what are the chances of going active?