Starting AROTC as a Sophomore

Hi everybody,

I've read through a lot of threads and couldn't find something in a similar information to mine. Anyways, I digress. I am currently a Freshmen at a University with no AROTC but am transferring next year, and would love to join. However, I have a few questions. 1. I am not in terrible shape (Mountain bike 10 miles 3-4x per week, workout 3x week), I recently scored a 175 on my APFT. I know it's bad, but I want to improve and am working hard at it. Will I be extremely behind and left out to dry starting as a sophomore in my condition? 2. I will have 38 credits (4.0GPA Currently) by the end of this year, is there any way I could get to go to LTC this summer and start taking my MS courses next year?

Thanks Everybody!
-WK05

wk05 said:

Hi everybody,

I've read through a lot of threads and couldn't find something in a similar information to mine. Anyways, I digress. I am currently a Freshmen at a University with no AROTC but am transferring next year, and would love to join. However, I have a few questions. 1. I am not in terrible shape (Mountain bike 10 miles 3-4x per week, workout 3x week), I recently scored a 175 on my APFT. I know it's bad, but I want to improve and am working hard at it. Will I be extremely behind and left out to dry starting as a sophomore in my condition? 2. I will have 38 credits (4.0GPA Currently) by the end of this year, is there any way I could get to go to LTC this summer and start taking my MS courses next year?

Thanks Everybody!
-WK05

Click to expand...

The most likely senario will be that you would start your MS2 classes your sophomore year and apply through your Battalion for a slot at LTC. You would then return to start the Advanced Course as a Junior. Taking the MS2 classes do not require you to go to LTC first and it would help you to improve your APFT scores.

wk05 said:

I recently scored a 175 on my APFT

Click to expand...

Here's the thing... you will be COMPETING with other MSII cadets for the right to: 1) Go to LTC, 2) Sign a Contract committing to 3 yrs Active Duty Service as an Officer, and 3) Enter Advance Course beginning Junior Year. Not sure of the order of 1) and 2). I have no idea whether next year Cadet Command will issue directives to beef up the MSII class via on campus recruiting, or cut it down by competition. Each year things change with projected force requirements, and adjustments are made.

In competing to go to Advance Course, your GPA will help a lot assuming your new school accepts those courses and grades (the GPA is computed from those courses showing on your new school's official transcript), but your APFT will kill you. Your APFT by definition it is Failing since you must score 60 at minimum in each of the three sections the Pushups, Situps and 2 Mile Run. I would suggest you work out between now and next Fall, so that when you take your first APFT, you score at least 75-80 on each section, then work on it throughout your MSII year so that by Spring you scoring at least 90 or even 100 on each section. You have 9 monhts before you are evaluated by the cadre at your new school next Fall. Start preparing now!

Thanks guys, I appreciate your help. Also, I am VERY interested in SMP, so is there any way I could start SMP my Sophomore year? That is why I want to attend LTC this coming semester if at all possible. Also, what is the protocol for applying for SMP?