Do SMC's only guarantee an AD commission for the Army?

Yes. And the "guarantee" is not 100%, but most cadets get AD.
 
Here is the Federal law that states the assurance of Active Duty for Army ROTC graduates so long as approved by the Army PMS. (Bold highlights are mine).


(e)Assignment to Active Duty.—
(1)
The Secretary of the Army shall ensure that a graduate of a senior military college who desires to serve as a commissioned officer on active duty upon graduation from the college, who is medically and physically qualified for active duty, and who is recommended for such duty by the professor of military science at the college, shall be assigned to active duty.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary of the Army from requiring a member of the program who graduates from a senior military college to serve on active duty.

Source:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2111a
 
Keep in mind that Navy and Air Force ROTC graduates are generally assigned Active Duty regardless if it is an SMC or not.
 
glen said:
Jcc123 - I believe there is a caveat, the ROTC detachment PMS must recommend the Cadet for active duty, assuming he/she meets the medical, physical and other requirements for a commission.
Click to expand...

Yes, which is why I said it is not a 100% guarantee.
 
At my son's SMC orientation, we were told the bottom 10% were not recommended by the current PMS. But each PMS has their own prerogative and his class would have a different PMS, thus perhaps a different view. Moral here, stay out of that hole!
 
I haven't been on this board for about 8 months as my DS is now in his second year at an SMC. It was a challenging first year and it was one of those "hunker-down" and determine if (a) this was his true calling, (b) if so, was this the SMC that'd "get him there", (c) with all those being a "yes" after 10 months of classes, PFT's, good days and bad...I can now say with a bit more experience under my belt, reserve, guard, active duty are all possibilities that can be pursed based on your individual desire but boy.....it's a long road to commissioning /getting a degree and it is a mine-field out there. It seems at times it is less "what you do right" vs avoiding pitfalls, injuries, other cadets who have less desire to truly seek a commission and cause more problems than help, grades, increasing PFT scores while remaining healthy, cadets that are becoming your brothers/sisters suddenly leaving the Corps and causing you to question your path, parents being distant, overbearing, a little of each, a girl/boyfriend issue(s), and during all this you're carrying a full load of college classes while either trying to maintain or earn a contract. Holy crap! Did I say "holy crap"? To all the prospective cadets....find the SMC that best fits YOU and be ready to make adjustments in your plan. You may be thinking active duty now but you never know what opportunity may surface during the first 2 years that could give you cause to consider reserve. Worry less about what you can't control and get as fit as you can, stay healthy, don't let "naysayers" dissuade you, make GOOD decisions so you do not end up losing your contract, and the rest will fall into place. Phew..that's what I needed to get off my chest in a nutshell.
 
My son's SMC PMS told me that those who will not be recommended know in advance and "ask" to go NG or AR rather than AD.
There are always those that refuse to heed the warning and end up disappointed.
He also indicted they try to counsel out those who will not make it. It seems to become obvious early on who will be successful.
My son's freshman class is entering their fourth week and already over 10% have gone home.
 
The SMC guarantee is rehashed on here a lot. The last 4 years i have re-posted this article a couple of times about the reality of today's Army(story is link below and yes it is 4 years old). The PMS and AROTC departments are as limited at a SMC as any other college. It is about the number they are given.

"A parallel issue today, according to Smith, is the "personnel cap" within the services that disqualifies otherwise qualified students from contracting. This cap has been reached throughout NU's current junior Army class. As a result, no more juniors will be allowed to contract this year. Because 1st Brigade of Cadet Command currently has 16 students over its mission, it is difficult to contract anymore students at this time.

"We have a cap of 77 kids that we are allowed to contract within the Army (ROTC department at NU)," Smith said. "Right now, for example, we have more cadets who are qualified to contract than we are physically able to contract." "(It is) really frustrating right now because we have a lot of great students who we would love to contract and might not be able to because of medical conditions or civil convictions," Esquivel said."

http://www.norwichguidon.com/news/view.php/550416/For-some-military-dreams-face-an-end
 
I am beginning to pick up a similar message re Army ROTC commissions at SMCs - heading for caps based on the Cadet Command mission being over subscribed by ROTC students at the over 300 schools in the system. The Army is still reducing. My son-in-law who is a major in the Marine Corps just completed the Army Command and General Staff school at Ft. Leavenworth and said many of his fellow students - mostly senior captains - were reporting way too many Lts and Capts and facing reductions in force to meet force reduction goals of the current administration. And - I believe the "Sequester" is still in effect forcing budget cuts in the military services. For the Marines - my son-in-law says their reduction in force is completed and he does not forsee a change in new commissions for ROTC. But even at SMCs these commissions are few compared to the Army. At The Citadel - 109 Army commissions in 2015. 15 Marine Commissions in May of 2015 with several more finishing their Quantico requirements in the summer. Don't forsee this number going up or down much. Same for Navy commissions - relatively small number - 16 at The Citadel in May of 2015. Air Force - I am unsure of - seems like this is also small number of about 15 or 16 a year at The Citadel and assume the same at other SMCs. Scholarships for Navy and Air Force are now pretty difficult to achieve - may as well try for a SA.
Would appreciate any others with information on Army ROTC contributing - it helps to be aware of the hurdles.
 
My son (at Norwich) tells me this year the PMS is not recommending cadets below the OML cutoff line for active duty.
 
My god I would hope not! The OML this year was 35! If there was a PMS that recommended a cadet under 35 I would have some serious questions about the judgement of that person.
 
I think that has something to do with it.
Also this particular PMS is not an SMC graduate, not sure if that is a factor as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top