Some fun facts sprinkled with a bit of commentary:
Time served as a Cadet/Midn specifically does NOT count toward the GI Bill. Nor does time served while fufilling the commitment to serve incurred as a Cadet/Midn in the Army. AF, Navy or MC.
This is written into the GI Bill Law.
Separating under contract can indeed cause the service to enlist you. This has happened in the Army recently (past few years) - my daughter knew a Cadet who enlisted after separation. Officially, the call is up to the branch of service depending on their needs and if you qualify to enlist. Sometimes Cadets request to enlist and that request is honored, again depending on the reasons for separation and the needs of the service.
Separations occur for a ton of reasons. Separating for an Honor offense does not disqualify one from enlisting or even serving as an officer. I met a Mom (online) whose son was separated for Honor and subsequently enrolled in ROTC. Separating for an Honor offence does not necessarily equate with a dishonorable discharge. Separations can and do occur right up until graduation.
The worst thing a cadet/midn can do is have an attitude that they cannot be separated.
Bull is correct - once contracted a ROTC cadet can be forced to enlist or pay back if they quit ROTC. This is written into the contract.
Not every separation requires the Cadet/Midn to pay back or enlist. If you are medically separated then you probably won't incur an obligation. Often when forced to separate a Cadet will consult legal counsel (it's free at all Academies) and they assist them in protecting their legal rights.
VA Benefits - Federal job preference is dependent on a number of factors relating toward service. There is a 5 point preference and a 10 point preference.
While some of you think it vile for an honorably separated Cadet/Midn to claim benefits - they may indeed qualify.
Here are the qualifcations for the 5 point preference:
Five-point preference is given to those honorable separated veterans (this means an honorable or general discharge) who served on active duty (not active duty for training) in the Armed Forces:
- During any war (this means a war declared by Congress, the last of which was World War II); or
- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976; or
- During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955; or
- During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
- For more than 180 consecutive days, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or
- In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized, such as El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, South-west Asia, Somalia, and Haiti.
Basically, if you are a Cadet/Midn during a time of war you might qualify if separated with an honorable or general discharge.
For Cadets/Mids who separate because of illness or injury it is important for them to recognize their rights for medical VA benefits. They could be discharged and need medical care and should indeed apply for it as any other Veteran as insurance may be impossible to obtain.