Yes, the financial benefits of SMP are impressive - and often necessary to fund a college degree. The added experiences of BCT(AIT if desired) and the drills with shadowing current officers is an amazing opportunity. My DS is learning a lot of great information and skills.
However, there are risks, not just contracts being available, but when and who gets them, DS's school is pretty transparent with an internal OML spelled out and posted each grading period. Not all batts and cadre follow this method. Its beyond his control.
When will he attend BCT? This negotiation took weeks of emails and phone calls, the pull of a ROO who is deeply involved with SMP/NG recruiters and a little luck. While many cadets have been forced to miss a grading period(or 2) to attend BCT/AIT, DS was given the the ideal split option and took a less desirable MOS(88Mike - truck driver) in exchange. The MEPS person who finalized DS's NG contract couldn't believe a kid with a 96 ASVAB would ever accept 88M, but DS did what he needed to do. Missing a grading period doesn't sound like a big deal....not one of the 3 sophomore SMP contracts completed this fall was with a kid who missed a grading period, they are having to wait so they have enough hours to be academic sophomores, with a high enough GPA to meet standards. This could be beyond your DS's control.
BCT is it own potential pit fall. DS left school on a Thursday, reported for BCT the following Monday - graduated BCT on a Thrusday and reported back to school that following Monday for the start of sophomore year. It was a tight fit and luckily worked out. Many kids at BCT did not graduate on time for a variety of health issues. Getting hurt/sick and having to recycle means not returning to school if the dates are tight. Worse, getting stuck in reception for too long has you starting late and same result, Once at Benning this summer, DS realized he had NO control over anything and did complete BCT and I agree, it benefits a lot of young people - including my DS, but the contract to commission is the goal and many of these variables put it at risk.
These are just few examples of why if my DS had been offered even a 3yr scholarship that I would have encouraged him to accept it rather than pursue SMP. The risk to his contracting would not have been worth the benefits.
Good luck while researching with your DS
Very helpful feedback from everyone !
The point everyone is making (cadre/Army and SMP parents) is that a 3 yr. ROTC scholarship recipient (in good academic standing of course) is GUARANTEED a place in the battalion. That as your last paragraph highlights is THE issue in this decision. I do believe you all are right. The most helpful input being 2 parents of successful SMP cadets saying "take the 3 year" !
That is enough for me.But one really appealing thing (in my son's case) was hearing about the boot camp aspect of SMP. Son is contemplating taking the 3yr. AND joining the National Guard as a private BUT NOT doing the SMP. My understanding is he would then have $ for college during that 4 yr. commitment and then also participate as a full-fledged ROTC contracted cadet by his sophomore.
Could someone out there address the feasibility of accepting the 3 yr. ROTC scholarship and joining the National Guard but without participating in SMP program? It would be great to have DS have 9 weeks of basic and attending pay and benefits before he attends college this Fall !
