Active Duty from AROTC

[john3337]

Alright. I know I had read something about CLIP. And no, It's University of South Carolina. I'm from here, so I use the controversial USC to describe it.

But that's good news! I've been a little worried about not getting active after college, but it looks like if you want it, the odds are in your favor to get it.

[Jcleppe]

But that's good news! I've been a little worried about not getting active after college, but it looks like if you want it, the odds are in your favor to get it.

Don't count on the numbers that were posted as being the numbers in 4 years. As the Army begins to draw down and troops start returning from Afganistan things will start to tighten up. Add to that the looming Defense budget cuts and the numbers could look a whole lot different 4 years from now when it comes to Active Duty. There were times when the vast majority of AROTC Cadets were sent to the Reserves. The best thing to do is not count on anything, do your best in all areas, GPA, APFT, LDAC and Battalion ROTC.

[sidewinder21]

Hey all,

I was just wondering as to what my chances are of still getting active duty, as I have always wanted to be an active duty QM officer. I receicved an overall N at LDAC this summer for having one overall N in a leadership dimension. (also had one overall E and the rest all S's) I have a 3.64 GPA, 300+ on all APFTs including at LDAC, as well as 6/7 LDAC day nav and 4/5 night. I also got all S's on all my tactical evals out at camp as well. Any info on how the whole active duty cutoff works would be of great help!!

[Just_A_Mom]

As to chances for Active Duty, while it is true that 40% approx. went Reserves last year, it was more like this:

60% Wanted Active, Got Active
25% Wanted (or were pre-contracted) Reserves or NG, and got that
15% Wanted Active, but were forced into Reserves or Guard due to low placement on the OML.

I look at it this way:
The Army needs x number of 2LT's in AD, Reserves or Guard each year. If the cadets don't voluntarily fill the slots amongst themselves (by self-selecting) some will be forced.
Right now they need more in Reserves or Guard than are self selecting so some cadets will be forced into Reserves/Guard. Some may even have incentives to encourage 'self-selecting'. For instance, this past year anyone not on scholarship who selected a logistics branch (Trans, Ord, or QM) in the reserves will get a bonus.
Some cadets may end up selecting Guard or Reserves because they strongly feel they will not get the branch of their choice on AD and don't want to be 'stuck'.

The method the Army uses to 'force' people into positions where needs exist is the OML.
It's not a punishment, per se; but rather meeting the needs of the AD Army, National Guard and Army Reserve. Guard/Reserves is not a place to stick deadbeats. Deadbeats should not be commissioned at all.

The 'line' is adjusted each year as Army needs and cadet preferences change. Trends change over the years - just a few years ago nearly any cadet who wanted AD go it because that is where the greatest need was.

Whether it is AD/Reserves, Branch or Post many cadets each year are disappointed - the Army just can't please everyone.

[Marist College ROTC]

Originally Posted by sidewinder21

Hey all,

I was just wondering as to what my chances are of still getting active duty, as I have always wanted to be an active duty QM officer. I receicved an overall N at LDAC this summer for having one overall N in a leadership dimension. (also had one overall E and the rest all S's) I have a 3.64 GPA, 300+ on all APFTs including at LDAC, as well as 6/7 LDAC day nav and 4/5 night. I also got all S's on all my tactical evals out at camp as well. Any info on how the whole active duty cutoff works would be of great help!!

You should still be able to get Active Duty. 2 Cadets from my BN had overall Ns at LDAC but still managed to get Active Duty. You will probably have to ADSO. You will get a better idea of where you will place on the National OML when your PMS does your Accessions Counseling and runs the Branch Expectation Tool to determine %s based on previous years' data.

[dunninla]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Mom

I Guard/Reserves is not a place to stick deadbeats. .

I agree. #1 on the OML last year went Reserves. Don't know if it was a pre-ROTC contract, or simply a choice, but #1 went Reserves.

It is a separate issue that some have always dreamed of Active Duty, and aren't able to go AD because of GPA, or they were sick at LDAC and scored low on the PFT, or a number of reasons, but GPA is the #1 culprit.