ROTC questions

So i am 18 years old still in high school and currently in the process of signing for the army reserves. i am going to meps tommorow to sign.

And i am interested in the rotc program but there are a few things im not quite sure about. My recruiter told me about the smp rotc program and thats what i have my mind set on
but i dont have the grades to attend a university so i was planning to atted a junior college instead. Someone told me i can take rotc at a local university without being enrolled in it while i take classes at my jc? id only have to drive back and forth for it. is this true?

and if someone can explain to me more about the smp program would be great.

(i am going to ask my recruiter more about this but just curious of other people's opinions/answers)

usarmy35f said:

And i am interested in the rotc program but there are a few things im not quite sure about.

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My recommendation is to make sure you understand ALL the details of ALL your options before signing and committing to anything. Try sending a PM to the following person:
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/member.php?u=5985
He is very knowledgeable and should be able to help.
Good luck!

Do Not sign anything until you have done your homework!!! Once you sign something, you will not be able to change your mind if you decide that isn't the track for you. Involve your parents in every step you take until you decide which path is best for your future.

http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/smp-another-option/

Looks like you are already sold. You got 35F, and you don't have the grades for college. If you are in a CC that has a partnership agreement with an ROTC host you should be able to enroll in ROTC class. Not sure if you will be able to contract, which means that if you are enlisted and you aren't contracted, you will be deployable if you don't have "college first" in your enlisted contract. If you really want to blow your recruiters mind ask him about 09R. My advice is that you talk to the Enrollment Officer at the ROTC Battalion before you sign anything or go to MEPS (may already be too late). She/he will be able to explain how the SMP program works a little better than your recruiter, and will probably not be in as big a hurry to get you shipped off to basic and AIT and make you miss school. Good luck, the Reserves and the SMP program are great opportunities, and ROTC is a great way to become an Officer.

Good luck.

SMP & ROTC

12 of my cadets are SMP. The way it works for us is that the unit calls the shots when a cadet is uncontracted. That means that you cannot get out of National Guard / Reserve duty to conduct ROTC training. For contracted cadets the relationship is reversed. ROTC calls the shots and makes final determination of which event the cadet will attend when there is a conflict between ROTC and National Guard / Reserve training.