Push for Army ROTC?

abctotheabc

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Mar 8, 2015
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Hey guys, so I need a little bit of help and some hope. I really want to become an officer in the military, and I would absolutely die to work in military intelligence (active duty). Right now, I'm finishing up my sophomore year in College, and I talked to an ROTC adviser here, and they said that if I wanted to join, I would need to extend my graduation by one year. Now, I wouldn't mind doing thing, but what are the chances that I can get the field I want and actually commission for active duty once I'm done? I was never really motivated to do anything before I decided I wanted to do this so my first year and a half of college I dropped my GPA down to a 2.49, and by the end of this semester (May 1st) I should be back at a 2.6 or 2.7 (and increasing per semester). I'm not looking for a scholarship or to have the Army pay for my school, I just 100% want to be an officer. What are the chances that if I poured blood, sweat, and tears into this program and gave it my all, that I would actually commission as an officer in military intelligence once I'm done? Should I even go for the Army ROTC program to begin with (I would prefer to) or try my luck graduating on time and applying for OCS?
 
Honestly I don't know. Someone here will know more than me. However, I don't see how joining ROTC and working your butt off could hurt your chances in any way. Good Luck
 
I'll be honest with you, a 2.6 is nowhere near competitive enough for MI or active duty. The average GPA for those who got AD this year was a 3.4. MI is a pretty difficult branch to get, so imagine what your GPA needs to be if the base line is a 3.4. Were talking upwards of a 3.7-3.75 before you can get confident.

OCS could be an option for you, but there is less guarantee on the branches that will be available. You have to understand that OCS is a short term program (compared to ROTC/USMA) that fills shortages quickly for the Army. The branches and number of slots available depend on what the Army needs.

Now, everything I've told you has been negative, what's your move now? It won't be easy and nobody is going to force you to raise that GPA, but how bad do you want to make powerpoints and be an MI officer? That parts on you.

And also, change your picture and contact someone about changing your username. Online forums aren't anonymous to begin with, but don't make it easier than it already is.
 
keep in mind the value of GPA has decreased for the upcoming OML. Are you a stud test taker? that could help.
 
keep in mind the value of GPA has decreased for the upcoming OML. Are you a stud test taker? that could help.
Has GPA concerns dropped to that extreme? I understand they will be weighed different starting next year but Ughhhhh ??? You would be competing with kids on scholarships that would be on probation or worse with lower than a 2.5 .... Am I way off base on this???
An extra year and taking some classes over and replacing some grades to get the GPA up may help. I don't think that is prohibited in figuring the GPA for OML? And remember OML GPA is from end of Junior year.... I believe? Sorry lots of these ???? in this post. Just don't want to mislead you.

But hang in there upping the GPA can only help everywhere....
 
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I'll be honest with you, a 2.6 is nowhere near competitive enough for MI or active duty. The average GPA for those who got AD this year was a 3.4. MI is a pretty difficult branch to get, so imagine what your GPA needs to be if the base line is a 3.4. Were talking upwards of a 3.7-3.75 before you can get confident.

OCS could be an option for you, but there is less guarantee on the branches that will be available. You have to understand that OCS is a short term program (compared to ROTC/USMA) that fills shortages quickly for the Army. The branches and number of slots available depend on what the Army needs.

Now, everything I've told you has been negative, what's your move now? It won't be easy and nobody is going to force you to raise that GPA, but how bad do you want to make powerpoints and be an MI officer? That parts on you.

And also, change your picture and contact someone about changing your username. Online forums aren't anonymous to begin with, but don't make it easier than it already is.

Has GPA concerns dropped to that extreme? I understand they will be weighed different starting next year but Ughhhhh ??? You would be competing with kids on scholarships that would be on probation or worse with lower than a 2.5 .... Am I way off base on this???
An extra year and taking some classes over and replacing some grades to get the GPA up may help. I don't think that is prohibited in figuring the GPA for OML? And remember OML GPA is from end of Junior year.... I believe? Sorry lots of these ???? in this post. Just don't want to mislead you.

But hang in there upping the GPA can only help everywhere....


In no way will I be graduating with a 2.6, that's just where I would stand at the end of this semester. By this time next year I should have at least a 3.0 and I expect not to graduate with anything less but maybe a little more too. So, if I was standing there, a 3.0, and I aced anything else that came my way like PT and cadet tests or whatever I'm supposed to take, I do a bunch of extracurricular, get extra certificates from school ( working on a national security studies and middle east studies certificate and I'm learning Arabic), how well would I stand for active duty and maybe one of my top three?
 
GPA has dropped to being worth 25% vs the 40% it used to be.

While a 2.5 GPA won't get you anyway near Active Duty, you would need to drop below 2.0 before a scholarship cadet would lose their scholarship or be on probation.

The Army will most likely count all your classes in your GPA, but taking an extra year would help to bring your CGPA up. My older son finished his freshman year with a 3.0 GPA, ended his Junior year above 3.5 and graduated/commissioned in the top 6%, so yes it's possible to get your act together if you start now and work hard.

As far as MI, it changes year to year, this year MI had the most slots although more then half were detailed to other branches.
 
GPA has dropped to being worth 25% vs the 40% it used to be.

While a 2.5 GPA won't get you anyway near Active Duty, you would need to drop below 2.0 before a scholarship cadet would lose their scholarship or be on probation.

The Army will most likely count all your classes in your GPA, but taking an extra year would help to bring your CGPA up. My older son finished his freshman year with a 3.0 GPA, ended his Junior year above 3.5 and graduated/commissioned in the top 6%, so yes it's possible to get your act together if you start now and work hard.

Thank you so much. That gives me a lot of hope. I'm getting my act together ASAP and I'm doing as much as I can. I want nothing more in the world than to do this.
 
GPA has dropped to being worth 25% vs the 40% it used to be.

While a 2.5 GPA won't get you anyway near Active Duty, you would need to drop below 2.0 before a scholarship cadet would lose their scholarship or be on probation.

The Army will most likely count all your classes in your GPA, but taking an extra year would help to bring your CGPA up. My older son finished his freshman year with a 3.0 GPA, ended his Junior year above 3.5 and graduated/commissioned in the top 6%, so yes it's possible to get your act together if you start now and work hard.

Thank you so much. That gives me a lot of hope. I'm getting my act together ASAP and I'm doing as much as I can. I want nothing more in the world than to do this.

I was not trying to be negative.... indeed give it your best shot. Just hoping he could log some replacement grades and I was not sure? You are only limited by yourself and you realize that. If that don't work plan B may.... Thanks JC on the GPA scholarship thing as I said I was not sure. My DS is SMP and FTA and his cut-off was 2.5.

Edited: My sincere apologies... I looked at the FTA policy and it is indeed 2.0. All these years DS has been telling me 2.5. I guess that is a good thing he thought 2.5 :)

And AC are you a STEM major.... it matters... right JC? Again not trying to paint things in a negative light just looking at the cards. Luckily my DS did not have that STEM major bridge to cross...
 
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I was not trying to be negative.... indeed give it your best shot. Just hoping he could log some replacement grades and I was not sure? You are only limited by yourself and you realize that. If that don't work plan B may.... Thanks JC on the GPA scholarship thing as I said I was not sure. My DS is SMP and FTA and his cut-off was 2.5.

Edited: My sincere apologies... I looked at the FTA policy and it is indeed 2.0. All these years DS has been telling me 2.5. I guess that is a good thing he thought 2.5 :)

And AC are you a STEM major.... it matters... right JC? Again not trying to paint things in a negative light just looking at the cards. Luckily my DS did not have that STEM major bridge to cross...

I definitely will give it my best shot, and I'm improving my GPA already as we speak and I won't let anything stop me. I'm not a STEM major, I'm majoring in International Relations.
 
The problem is that you are planning for an accessions model that will be two+ years in the future. By that time shoe size may be the determining factor.

You need to understand that if you make the commitment you will be agreeing to accept a commission and serve. Are you OK with having to join the National Guard? Will you be OK if you can only find Field Artillery Officer slots where you want to live and work.

You need to understand that you will be fighting an uphill battle. An IR degree and a 3.0 is going to be a tough sell no matter what the accessions model looks like. That being said, the worst that can happen is you have Army Officer on your resume somewhere. Best of luck.
 
I have been hunting for the latest version of the OML calculation but this (see link) is as recent as I have found. https://sharepoint.cisat.jmu.edu/rotc/Lists/Announcements/Attachments/76/OML and Branching for FY14 (28 May 2013).pptx

It has GPA at 40%. Does anyone have a link to the current values? OP may find this of value.

Thanks

owUydiT.jpg


Isn't this it?
 
The problem is that you are planning for an accessions model that will be two+ years in the future. By that time shoe size may be the determining factor.

You need to understand that if you make the commitment you will be agreeing to accept a commission and serve. Are you OK with having to join the National Guard? Will you be OK if you can only find Field Artillery Officer slots where you want to live and work.

You need to understand that you will be fighting an uphill battle. An IR degree and a 3.0 is going to be a tough sell no matter what the accessions model looks like. That being said, the worst that can happen is you have Army Officer on your resume somewhere. Best of luck.

I will accept any commission I get and serve. If I have to join the National Guard, I will, and if it has to be Field Artillery, then alright. I'll be in a tough position to sell myself to get what I want but hopefully I manage to get something of my interests and the Army's too.
 
Dang I think it was just a general pick for example purposes, I think, but all this FA Officer talk is hurting my feeling.... in particular since that is where DS is headed :) The beautiful city of Lawton OK!
 
If you get "stuck" being a Field Artillery Officer, consider it a gift from above. You will get to luck into one of only two branches consecutively in service since 1775, and the branch that brings more collective firepower, and at a joint level, than any other. Buttttt you have to go to a very difficult BOLC in a horrible excuse for a town (that beautiful city of Lawton).

*this is just in jest, I realize FA was merely a random example.
 
If you get "stuck" being a Field Artillery Officer, consider it a gift from above. You will get to luck into one of only two branches consecutively in service since 1775, and the branch that brings more collective firepower, and at a joint level, than any other. Buttttt you have to go to a very difficult BOLC in a horrible excuse for a town (that beautiful city of Lawton).

*this is just in jest, I realize FA was merely a random example.

I wouldn't consider it being stuck. I'd be happy with anything active duty. I just want to serve and enjoy a wonderful life experience and I'm willing to work for it.
 
I wouldn't consider it being stuck. I'd be happy with anything active duty. I just want to serve and enjoy a wonderful life experience and I'm willing to work for it.

I was really just joking (I'm FA), being FA would make you far from stuck, and I'm sure you would serve professionally in any branch.
 
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