ROTC - Cross Branching possible?

Hlsng

5-Year Member
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Sep 3, 2013
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DS just received 3 yr AROTC Scholarship to a SMC where he is enrolled and planning to attend. DS had applied to USNA and USMA unsuccessfully and had decided he would go the SMC route enroll in NROTC with goal of USMC Commission. Now the AROTC arrives and while we are grateful and very excited about this new development it does change things.... We are encouraging him to accept with the expectation that once he participates in AROTC he will be happy with the decision. Are there cross-branching opportunities if that is not the case?
 
I would not rely on the ability to cross-branch. If he accepts the AROTC scholarship though, he will have a full year in the program prior to contracting, in which time he should be able to tell if he likes AROTC or not. If not, it probably isn't too late to pursue NROTC as a college programmer.
 
Yes, but they are as rare as giving birth to twins!

The Army must agree to release him, and the Navy must agree to accept him. Both branches have a number they can commission at any time.
~ Remember for Navy ALL NROTC grads go AD, not true for AROTC.

For SA grads it is basically an uphill battle. Maybe 2 or 3 out of class of 800+ can transfer.

I would have a sit down with him, and ask what is his career aspirations. Does he want to go AD, because he will for Navy.
 
I agree with Pima that this is rare, but it can be done. My son had a friend at an SMC who was on AROTC scholarship a few years back and switched from AROTC to NROTC-MO. I'm not sure what hurdles he had to vault or whether he had to give anything up to do it. As I recall, it was early in his college career.
 
To accept that scholarship he is going to sign a contract that says he agrees to accept an Army Commission in return for the training and benefits. If he is not willing to accept that contract then he should stick to becoming a Marine. There is no compelling reason for the Army to pay for his school and then allow him to serve in another branch. What was his plan if he was accepted to USMA??
 
I think his chances of cross-commissioning from ROTC are slim to none. I would not count on this. If he signs his contract he needs to be prepared to fulfill his obligation as an Army officer. As mentioned, I think he really needs to decide what service he wants to be in. He can do AROTC his first year and switch after that. Also, this is not considered cross-commissioning. This is just changing ROTC programs. I am sure it would require some coordination and approvals, but it is something that happens every year in ROTC units and can be done. Now the question at hand would be him achieving advanced standing or a scholarship to remain within the NROTC. This is a requirement to continue beyond his sophomore year and gain a commission. If he decides to go this route what happens if he doesn't obtain advanced standing or a scholarship? The Marine Corps has PLC and OCC options, but as the needs of the service grow and shrink so do these billets. Are you guys prepared for 3 additional years of school costs if he doesn't earn a scholarship?
 
To accept that scholarship he is going to sign a contract that says he agrees to accept an Army Commission in return for the training and benefits. If he is not willing to accept that contract then he should stick to becoming a Marine. There is no compelling reason for the Army to pay for his school and then allow him to serve in another branch. What was his plan if he was accepted to USMA??

His first choice was USNA but was fully prepared to attend USMA and serve his career in the Army had that happened but once he was found QNS his plan B was SMC and NROTC-MO.
 
This is really a family discussion because part of the equation maybe finances, If it is please take time and search the bowels of this forum. I don't have enough fingers and toes for my immediate family, regarding how many get in college a scholarship (ICSP). I also don't have enough fingers and toes in my family regarding how many walk after their freshmen year.

He needs to be brutally honest right now with you, and you with him...is AROTC looking better due to financial reasons?

College is 4 years, and it is where they want to attend/live with a major they desire. That is not necessarily true when you commission. Service before Self is true.
 
Yes, but they are as rare as giving birth to twins!

The Army must agree to release him, and the Navy must agree to accept him. Both branches have a number they can commission at any time.
~ Remember for Navy ALL NROTC grads go AD, not true for AROTC.

For SA grads it is basically an uphill battle. Maybe 2 or 3 out of class of 800+ can transfer.

I would have a sit down with him, and ask what is his career aspirations. Does he want to go AD, because he will for Navy.

Pima,

Thanks for the feedback but I have another question re: your comment. His goal is definitely to go AD. While I know the needs of the service change and that drawdowns are in effect but will it be difficult for an AROTC Scholarship winner at a SMC to earn an AD Commission?
 
Yes, but they are as rare as giving birth to twins!

The Army must agree to release him, and the Navy must agree to accept him. Both branches have a number they can commission at any time.
~ Remember for Navy ALL NROTC grads go AD, not true for AROTC.

For SA grads it is basically an uphill battle. Maybe 2 or 3 out of class of 800+ can transfer.

I would have a sit down with him, and ask what is his career aspirations. Does he want to go AD, because he will for Navy.

Pima,

Thanks for the feedback but I have another question re: your comment. His goal is definitely to go AD. While I know the needs of the service change and that drawdowns are in effect but will it be difficult for an AROTC Scholarship winner at a SMC to earn an AD Commission?

It's not overly difficult for any cadet to earn an AD commission so long as they focus and work hard. It's just a matter of how bad do they want it.
 
Pima,

Thanks for the feedback but I have another question re: your comment. His goal is definitely to go AD. While I know the needs of the service change and that drawdowns are in effect but will it be difficult for an AROTC Scholarship winner at a SMC to earn an AD Commission?

It is a matter of federal law that an ROTC grad commissioned at an SMC must be offered active duty, provided that he or she has the recommendation of the Professor of Military Science. The scholarship is irrelevant.
 
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