Early commissioning program

Kickback

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Jan 22, 2014
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When I applied for the arotc scholarship in high school and did not receive it, I was contacted by a pms from some academy out in Missouri doing some rotc junior college and commissioning after completing your sophomore year. I was just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this program.

FYI I am currently a contracted cadet in a 4 year rotc program, this is just to strictly satisfy my curiosity.
 
There are 5 military junior colleges that have this sort of thing. Essentially you rush through the ROTC program in 2 years, commission, then transfer to a 4 year school and the Guard while you finish your degree. I would stay where you are at. I'm personally not a big fan of these programs, though they sound nice.
 
In August there was a thread on Early Commissioning program. This is from that thread.

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"Throughout the 1980s, the Early Commissioning Program played a major role in officer production. In some years, ECP officers constituted over 60 percent of all ROTC second lieutenants. The program is a major financial incentive for students who could receive their commissions early and serve as officers while still attending college. In 1984, the California Guard received 95 percent (74 of 78) of its ROTC lieutenants from the ECP program.[

The Army Reserve had a similar experience.

In 1991, the downsizing of the Army reduced officer production requirements, leading to the reduction of the Early Commission Program to the Military junior colleges affiliated with the Army ROTC program. However, with the United States’ involvement in continuing military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of ECP slots is again being increased.

As of 2014 the option for contracted ECP cadets to compete for active duty is potentially being revoked.

In the United States, the Early Commissioning Program allows graduates of one of the country's five military junior colleges to become commissioned officers in the armed forces reserve in two years, instead of the usual four. The students must still go on to complete a bachelor's degree before serving as regular officers on active duty. The program is a major financial incentive for students to receive their commissions early and serve as officers while still attending college and gaining service time for promotions and retirement.


Early Commissioning Program Requirements[edit]

Program benefits (subject to change)[edit]

• Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in two years.

• Begin earning service time toward promotions and retirement following sophomore year in college.

• Paid $450 per month during first year, $500 per month during the second year while enrolled

• Paid as a Cadet/E-5 in the Reserves or National Guard if enrolled in SMP ($241.88 per month)

• Uniform allowance of $2,724

• Book allowance of $1200 (payable $600 per semester)

Program obligations[edit]

• Complete undergraduate degree within 36 months of graduation

• Serve a total of eight years in Reserves or National Guard or a combination of active duty and reserves equal to eight years, beginning on the day you are commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
ECP is done at the five MJCs: Georgia Military College, Marion Military Institute (Alabama), New Mexico Military Institute, Valley Forge Military (PA), and Wentworth Military Academy (MO).

If you do not complete the Bachelor's degree in the time frame, they don't take away your commission, but you are not promotable and likely won't be retained after obligated service completion. Also, the commission is in either a National Guard unit or Army Reserve. Transfer to the active army is not guaranteed.

If you do not complete your degree in time you will be in breach of your contract and will be dismissed and will have to repay money if you accepted any scholarship money. You cannot attend BOLC until you get your degree. I cannot imagine that they would let you serve out your time as an 8 yr 2nd LT. "
 
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