AROTC questions

[Navyhopeful2024]

My daughter was awarded a 4 year NROTC scholarship and a 3 year AROTC advanced designee scholarship at an Ivy League university. Currently, she is leaning towards joining AROTC because of its flexibility after graduation. I hear in NROTC, you have to do 5 years active duty - non-restricted line of duty after graduation while AROTC you have the option of active duty or reserves/NG. She would like the join the corporate work force full-time after graduation, so the reserves/NG option would be ideal for her. If you choose the reserves/NG option, what are the chances of commissioning into a combat service support branch like the Adjutant General Corps, or Finance? Also, what are the chances of getting a 3 year AROTC scholarship converted into a 4 year scholarship?

 

[AROTC Parent]

My daughter was awarded a 4 year NROTC scholarship and a 3 year AROTC advanced designee scholarship at an Ivy League university. Currently, she is leaning towards joining AROTC because of its flexibility after graduation. I hear in NROTC, you have to do 5 years active duty - non-restricted line of duty after graduation while AROTC you have the option of active duty or reserves/NG. She would like the join the corporate work force full-time after graduation, so the reserves/NG option would be ideal for her. If you choose the reserves/NG option, what are the chances of commissioning into a combat service support branch like the Adjutant General Corps, or Finance? Also, what are the chances of getting a 3 year AROTC scholarship converted into a 4 year scholarship?

When commissioning into the Reserves or NG from AROTC there is a process to 'branch' based on selection (interview and get Letter of Acceptance) for an opening with a NG or Reserve unit. https://armyrotc.army.mil/usar-arng/ The Reserve recruiting officer or Recruiting Ops Officer (ROO) at her AROTC unit will/can explain the process.

For AD/Res/NG, Finance and AG are small branches but it's possible with some geographic limitations. Consider QM or Ordnance too which generally commission more each year. Tell your daughter to keep her options open for Active Duty until she has to submit her Accessions packet after Jr year.

The 3yr to 4yr conversion is out of the applicant's control.... however, based on OML and Board Scores upgrades do occur on occasion.

 

[Ivy22]

If she wants to go work on Wall Street full time right after graduation, NROTC is NOT the path for that. Minimum 5 years active duty, unrestricted line (no med school/doctors...) for NROTC.

Might be possible with AROTC, but it's definitely NOT with NROTC.

 

[AROTC Parent]

If she wants to go work on Wall Street full time right after graduation, NROTC is NOT the path for that. Minimum 5 years active duty, unrestricted line (no med school/doctors...) for NROTC.

Might be possible with AROTC, but it's definitely NOT with NROTC.

OP's post reflects that NROTC is not an option based on career choices.

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

OP's post reflects that NROTC is not an option based on career choices.

Conversely, I've been told that if you do AROTC and want to commission Guard or Reserve, it's basically a done deal. So, given the circumstances, it seems AROTC is the better choice, because you have until junior year to decide whether you want to seek active duty or go part-time.

Just note that if you are a scholarship cadet and commission Guard or Reserve, you commit to a minumum of 8 years drilling, as opposed to 4 years for active duty.

 

[Ivy22]

Conversely, I've been told that if you do AROTC and want to commission Guard or Reserve, it's basically a done deal. So, given the circumstances, it seems AROTC is the better choice, because you have until junior year to decide whether you want to seek active duty or go part-time.

Just note that if you are a scholarship cadet and commission Guard or Reserve, you commit to a minumum of 8 years drilling, as opposed to 4 years for active duty.

I think I've heard that too. About how not everyone who wants to go Active Duty from AROTC gets Active Duty.

I have heard of some Princeton AROTC grads being able to work on Wall Street and do the reserves

 

[Navyhopeful2024]

Thank you everyone for the replies! This is great information. She will be the first in our family to join the military so we have no clue how this process works. We will be visiting the AROTC battalion next week at her school, so hopefully she will get more information but yes I agree she should keep her options open and have an open mind until later down the road.

 

[jketron]

Thank you everyone for the replies! This is great information. She will be the first in our family to join the military so we have no clue how this process works. We will be visiting the AROTC battalion next week at her school, so hopefully she will get more information but yes I agree she should keep her options open and have an open mind until later down the road.

Texas A&M?

 

[Navyhopeful2024]

Texas A&M?

No, I mentioned Ivy League school earlier in the post.

 

[Sully16]

I was fortunate to receive a 4-year AROTC scholarship as well as a 4-year SFROTC scholarship. I am intending to study a health-related engineering field (biomedical engineering), so the AROTC scholarship option is the direction I am leaning toward for two reasons. The first reason is that the reserve or guard option would allow me to work in the healthcare field as a civilian while fulfilling my service obligation. The second reason I have is that biomedical engineering is known to be one of the more time-consuming and challenging engineering degrees; thus, a lower GPA is much more likely than if I were to major in a less strenuous area. Since GPA is a factor in the branch selection process, my concern in going active duty is that not only will I be in a branch serving in a position that isn't even remotely related to my major, but that I will be less competitive in the selection process and that I will end up in a branch that is not preferred.

I would very much appreciate any input from former AROTC cadets who chose the reserve or guard option, regarding my thought process. I also would like to know if there is internal pressure in the AROTC cadre to select active duty and if those who are not interested in active duty are looked down on as being self-focused and/or less than patriotic.

 

[jebdad]

I also would like to know if there is internal pressure in the AROTC cadre to select active duty and if those who are not interested in active duty are looked down on as being self-focused and/or less than patriotic.

I don't think there is any internal pressure but it is interesting to see how cadet's paradigms regarding how they want to serve change. In my child's recently graduated unit, there were a few who went reserves and there were some feelings of regret as they saw all of the cool challenges or opportunities there classmates were experiencing as they started their active duty obligations. Obviously, this is going to be very unique to each individual but if all goes well, you will work in your desired healthcare field your entire career. Four years of active duty is just a blip on that timeline. You may surprise yourself as your outlook may change as you get entrenched in your ROTC experience.

 

[EastCoast]

ROTC is all new to me (no other family in the military) but we got it all completed and my son was awarded a 3 year. From reading the posts - you are all very helpful, thank you!: Question: He initially listed 5 school and got awarded to 2 of them. His first choice, and one of the ones identified on the letter to is the only school he did not get into (waitlisted). How likely is it that this 3 year can transfer to one of the other schools not listed on the award letter OR one not even in his original list that has rotc and that he has been accepted to? We applied so many months ago that preferences have changed! Also how come it is offered to some people for 2 schools and other for three? You are required to include state schools but he doesn't even want to attend any of those but that's one of the 2 schools he was awarded too. Any insight regarding the school thing would be so appreciated! and congrats to all!

 

[MidCakePa]

Since GPA is a factor in the branch selection process, my concern in going active duty is that not only will I be in a branch serving in a position that isn't even remotely related to my major, but that I will be less competitive in the selection process and that I will end up in a branch that is not preferred.

The Army gives you the option, so take the route that suits you best. As long as you fulfill your obligation, I don't think anyone will think of you any differently. (Maybe some folks will look down on your choice if you eschew AD, but who cares what they think.)

I do agree with @jebdad that you might regret not going AD. Having known and worked alongside numerous former JMOs, I know that what shaped them into successful civilians was their AD experience. When it's your full-time job, I believe it affects you differently than if you do it sporadically. (That's my observation, not any direct experience as an officer.) I also believe AD offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences, even in just a few years, whereas you'll have decades to do your civilian role.

Do ROTC because you want to serve as a commissioned officer, first and foremost. Remember that the needs of the military will rule all assignments, so you should be open to whatever the Army throws your way. Of course you can have preferences, but be ready for a curve ball. Most officers work in an MOS that's unrelated or only tangentially related to their major, so beware of thinking you'll only -- or can only -- work in a closely related field.