CULP application question

cjs

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
669
My son was just doing his CULP application and ran across something he wasn't sure of so I of course figured maybe I could get the answer here. Of course he can just ask tomorrow at ROTC!

When it asks what MS year you are in, it offers Military science class 1 to 6 and then military science completion as choices. So as a sophomore in your 3rd semester, what are you?

He has decided to minor in Arabic studies and is loving his first semester of Arabic so this should be a nice addition.
 
I'd say MSII, but he should double check with his unit because I'm not sure what the normal application looks like. My school is testing out a new CULP application process for cadet command.
 
I'm going to make a different assumption than Bull. It may refer to the Semester classes of Military Science... two per year. So a 1st semester MSII will be in his/her 3rd MS class, and have completed 2.

Bull might be right, but it isn't clear.
 
I'm going to make a different assumption than Bull. It may refer to the Semester classes of Military Science... two per year. So a 1st semester MSII will be in his/her 3rd MS class, and have completed 2.

Bull might be right, but it isn't clear.

That's kind of what I was thinking so I told him to wait to finish it. Hopefully the kid remembers to ask today.
 
^ but OP is asking about Army ROTC, in which case a sophomore cadet who started the program as a freshman would be an MS II. In NROTC, a sophomore mid would be a midshipman 3rd Class.
 
I'm going with Military Science 2 if he's a sophomore. It's one level a year. Pretty sure 5 & 6 are for nursing/engineer But check with the Battalion just in case.

Maybe I'll see him on one of the CULP trips!
 
I'm agreeing with Josh, it's not based off semesters. There are MSV's and MSVI's. We have a few in my battalion.
 
Is it like super short? Because the application I did this year was way different than what our CPT had described.

It's fairly short. It's some new online program they're testing. It doesn't really allow for cadets to individualize themselves, only asks for a few things.
 
He's an MS II. The CULP application does seem to be rather abbreviated this year.
 
He's an MS II. The CULP application does seem to be rather abbreviated this year.


He said there isn't place to put any extras on it. Just a small amount of information and whether or not you speak a foreign language.

He said that only 40% get picked. How do they make the determination if the application is so short?
 
He said there isn't place to put any extras on it. Just a small amount of information and whether or not you speak a foreign language.

He said that only 40% get picked. How do they make the determination if the application is so short?

One thing to consider for this year.

Last year the acceptance was about 40%, this year they have increased considerably the number of cadets that will participate in CULP, Hopfully that will make that percentage a bit higher this year, of course that depends on how many apply.

My son is a freshman so this is his first year to apply, a MS2 did comment on how much shorter the application was then last year. One of the issues my son had was that they ask for the College GPA, since he is on semesters they will not have any final grades until Decemober and the application is due the first of Nov. He talked with the HR and said they had it figured out. The HR person recently sent an email to my son saying that her and the PMS were working the application, not sure what that means, maybe this is where the other information not on the application comes from.

As it turns out my son is the only contracted MS1 at his school since the other 2 MS1 scholarship cadets have yet to pass the APFT, one broke his ankle just after failing the second APFT by 2 PU's and won't be able to take it again until the semester is over, the other...well...he may not be in the program for long.

Sorry, got side tracked, so this means only one MS1 is elegible to apply for CULP, they have a MS2 applying as well, he did it last year also.

I agree, the shorter application doesn't give any room for info other then the basics, like I mentioned, maybe that information comes from the Cadre. It will be interesting to see how things play out.
 
Question for JCleppe - according to Jerry Hoffman, USACC Culture and Language Deployments Coordinator, the program is only open to MSII and above. See link-

http://armystrongstories.com/blogge...anding-and-language-proficiency-program-culp/

My son, a contracted MSI, wants to apply but our understanding is he can't until next year. What do you know?

My thinking would be that is incorrect.

My son is a MS1 and just completed his application. Last year his battalion sent 2 MS1's to CULP. This would sure be news to me, my son, his PMS and the HR person.

Just read the application that was sent to my son, nowhere does it say MS2 and above, all it says is that the cadet must be contracted, for a MS1 that would mean they would need to be a 4 year scholarship cadet. That was the only restriction I saw.

I just looked at the Cadet Command website regarding CULP, it does not say anything about MS1 or MS2 requirements. Of course it does talk about the application including an essay that apparently is not on the application this year. This year's application is very short and very basic.

I will let you know if I hear any information from my son (MS1) regarding his application. I would have your son ask his HR person about the application.
 
Last edited:
It's fairly short. It's some new online program they're testing. It doesn't really allow for cadets to individualize themselves, only asks for a few things.

Alright, guess my battalion is doing testing that out too. I know our cadre have to go, validate things and add things. But it seems weird to give them more work to instead of letting the cadets doing more of the work to individualize themselves.
 
Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP)

All,
First, the CULP Program welcomes applications from any "contracted" Cadet MS I to MS IV and even Completion Cadets. However, since most MS I's are not contracted, the program doesn't have a large number of first year Cadets. The application period will open up on September 15, 2014 for the FY 15 summer training opportunities. Because CULP focuses on culture instead of just language, you don't have to have any language training to apply. However, it helps because it gives you extra order of merit points. Because the program is driven by the demand from the US Embassies, you are only allowed to chose a region and type of mission that you wish to participate in. For example, SOUTHCOM is Central and South America; AFRICOM is Africa; etc. The program offers several different types of missions but almost all contain some form of military to military event. The application short and to the point because our leadership wants any qualified, willing, and available Cadet to apply. Yes, the selection rate is around 40% because of the competitiveness of the program and the high number of applicants. The program has sent almost 5000 Cadets to over 60 countries over the last six years. In the summer 2014 training period, the program sent 1320 Cadets to over 47 countries. Please keep an eye out for the announcement of the application website.
 
son has a 4 r scholarship and will start as a freshman in fall. He is under the impression that his battalion will be participating in Cadet Initial Entry Training next summer. Can he also apply for CULP?
 
If CIET happens as projected the Cadet Professional Development Training and CULP will happen between the sophomore and junior year.
 
Back
Top