Corps of Cadets

Strength and Honor · Jun 16, 2013

Do you have to pass a DODMERB to be part of the Corps of Cadets at any of the six SMC's? Or do they have their own physicals that you are required to pass?

Also, 4 years of ROTC of some type are generally required to be a member of the Corps, correct? I'm assuming you can be a MSIV without being contracted and without attending LDAC if you're only interested in the "Corps Experience"?

Lawman32RPD · Jun 17, 2013

Sent you a PM

pathnottaken · Jun 17, 2013

Strength and Honor said:
Do you have to pass a DODMERB to be part of the Corps of Cadets at any of the six SMC's? Or do they have their own physicals that you are required to pass?

Also, 4 years of ROTC of some type are generally required to be a member of the Corps, correct? I'm assuming you can be a MSIV without being contracted and without attending LDAC if you're only interested in the "Corps Experience"?

Our experience with VMI:

1) they ask for your medical history and make assetment on their own and clear or not clear you. This is done after acceptance (April-May). DS would have needed a waiver if got a ROTC scholarship, but was cleared by VMI.
2) you have to take four years of ROTC if you are OR are not going to contract. You can choose which each ROTC to go with (Navy,Airforce, or Army) They prefer that you take Army if you are not sure because if later on (3rd or 4th year) you decide to commision and go active you have more options/ opportunities
3)Cadets can decide to commision very late in the game, I believe sometime in their senior year, and I believe they go to LDAC that summer and are commisioned after they pass.

Full Metal Bulldog · Jun 17, 2013

The Citadel works similarly: a DODMERB is needed to commission of course but not to just be an MS4, AS 400, or NS4 who's enrolled solely for the graduation requirement. Usually proffessors of those classes only take roll for contracted cadets.

And yes, there are some that choose to commission 2nd semester senior year, and do so. Plenty more go to OCS.

hokiesfan · Jun 17, 2013

For Virginia Tech:
VTCC requires a standard medical history/exam form signed by your doctor clearing you for Corps participation (it was the same form my son filled out for HS sports). If you have already passed DODMERB you can submit the clearance letter instead, but it's not required.

You do not need to participate in ROTC to be part of the Corps because there is a non-ROTC track with its own classes, PT, etc., called the Citizen Leader Track (about 20% of the Corps is in the CLT). The companies in the Corps all have ROTC and non-ROTC cadets in them, and non-ROTC cadets are equally eligible for Corps leadership positions.

I'm not sure if you can participate in ROTC if you are not intending to commission, you'd have to check that with the various detachments at VT.

Strength and Honor · Jun 17, 2013

Hokiesfan- Would you suggest VTCC? Pros and cons of it versus VMI?

hokiesfan · Jun 17, 2013

Strength and Honor said:
Hokiesfan- Would you suggest VTCC? Pros and cons of it versus VMI?

Wholeheartedly! It was an excellent fit for my son, because it had the advantages and opportunities of a larger school coupled with a dedicated military program that is its own smaller sub-community on campus. TAMU would have been another possibility in that regard but we're in the northeast and Virginia was already quite far away. The VTCC also had a track for non-ROTC students available from first year onwards, which my son liked.

nick4060 · Jun 17, 2013

Strength and Honor said:
Hokiesfan- Would you suggest VTCC? Pros and cons of it versus VMI?

The VTCC experience is like night and day from VMI.

Pros: You get to enjoy the experience of attending a large public university...civilian friends, football, girls, parties, downtown scene, etc. But at the same time you get to participate in very good ROTC programs and gain some experience in leading your peers.

Cons: The actual military value of the training there is nowhere near that of VMI. The VTCC leadership has made the decision in the last 5 years or so to sacrifice quality for quantity. The Commandant's Staff has had the priority of attracting/retaining as many cadets as possible, and with that, both standards and quality of training have been degraded.

As to your original question: A DODMERB is not required to participate in the Corps. But it is required to contract as an ROTC cadet. As mentioned above, a standard sports physical from your primary care physician is all that's needed to be in the VTCC.