SMP Questions

rbussmann

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2011
Messages
5
Hey guys,

I just wanted to ask a couple of questions regarding the Army's SMP Program. It looks like I need to start looking at other options since the time of scholarship offers is quickly winding down. As a back up plan, I have been looking at the SMP Program. I've done a fair amount of research on it and its benefits, but had a couple questions I'm sure someone on here would have an answer to:

1). I've read on some websites and forums that you can only join a reserve unit under the SMP Program in your Junior Year. I would assume that you could join a unit as long as you are older than 18, Is that correct?
2). In order to get the G.I. Bill benefits, do you have to have gone to BCT?
3). Under the SMP program, you are non-deployable, correct? Is that just something you have to make sure you get assured when you sign your contract or is it automatic?
4). Would you recommend going to BCT prior to joining a Reserve unit or does that really not make a difference since you will be commissioning?
5). Are SMP cadets on the same OML as regular cadets?

That's all for now, thanks guys!
 
Hey guys,

I just wanted to ask a couple of questions regarding the Army's SMP Program. It looks like I need to start looking at other options since the time of scholarship offers is quickly winding down. As a back up plan, I have been looking at the SMP Program. I've done a fair amount of research on it and its benefits, but had a couple questions I'm sure someone on here would have an answer to:

1). I've read on some websites and forums that you can only join a reserve unit under the SMP Program in your Junior Year. I would assume that you could join a unit as long as you are older than 18, Is that correct?
2). In order to get the G.I. Bill benefits, do you have to have gone to BCT?
3). Under the SMP program, you are non-deployable, correct? Is that just something you have to make sure you get assured when you sign your contract or is it automatic?
4). Would you recommend going to BCT prior to joining a Reserve unit or does that really not make a difference since you will be commissioning?
5). Are SMP cadets on the same OML as regular cadets?

That's all for now, thanks guys!

1.You can join the Guard and do the SMP program whenever, not just as a junior in high school (I'm assuming you mean HS). I know a cadet who is a freshman in college on SMP, and a 29 year old, 2nd year law school student on SMP.
2. You have to go to BCT to get the G.I Bill, and AIT to get the G.I Bill Kicker.
3. You're non-deployable as long as you contract through SMP with ROTC. When you first join ROTC after getting back to school, you are deployable until that contract is signed. This is becoming an issue now with Guard soldiers that are joining ROTC that are looking for contracts that don't exist in todays Army/Economy. It is a risk you take when joining the Guard as a way into ROTC.
4. In the end, it is up to you. You are not guarenteed a contract in the SMP program. You will be eligible for the GI Bill and Kicker only if you complete BCT and AIT (for the kicker).
5. Yes, nationally they are. However there are some Guard programs (such as state run Airborne/Air Assault courses) that are only open to Guard cadets. Also, some cadets wish to stay in the Guard upon commissioning, they neccesarily aren't competing with the rest of the OML (the AD or Reserve hopefuls) because they're job will come from positions open in the Guard.

Make sure you weigh all of your options when considering SMP. I have friends who joined the Guard recently and are looking to contract with ROTC. Their timing is very bad and most of them may not be able to contract if things continue the way they are. The SMP is a great program, but understand nothing is guarenteed, except that you will be held to whatever contracts you sign.
 
AFOQT Waiver Request

Hey everyone. I was recently denied a waiver to retake the AFOQT (a third attempt). Obviously, waivers are rarely granted and since I failed twice, the odds were against me. My case was different than most others, though. I took my first test during my AS100 year, failed and retook it during the fall semester of my AS200 year and failed again. The difference was that I was ranked top 3 of my class and had decent stats everywhere else. I met with the Colonel at the end of the semester and was instructed to create a packet in order to submit a waiver request. I did so when I returned from winter break and began my spring semester. AFHQ and Personnel responded with neither an approval or disapproval. They responded by advising me to finish out the semester along with an additional English course that I had listed in my packet. I did as they advised. I didn't recieve an enrollment allocation despite my high stats (minus the failed AFOQT). I figured that I would have to wait until the following year (return as an AS500). Once the semester finished, I was optimistic because of the A I received in the additional English course. I met with the Colonel and he instructed me to create another packet to resubmit the waiver. We sent it in and he told me that it would probably be a month or two until I heard a response. Two days later, I received word to meet with the commander. I did so and was told that my waiver request was disapproved. Since it was denied, I had no other option except for signing a form 16 for disenrollment. I am mainly looking for an answer as to why AFHQ disapproved my waiver request. I have no anger towards anyone, because ultimately, I controlled my fate. I understand that the AF is going through budget cuts, but I just don't understand why they advised me originally to finish out the semester, get denied an enrollment allocation and a waiver request. I guess I'm just being bitter, but it's tough pill to swallow. I feel as if they ignored my request the second time around. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi loader - I'm not sure if this was the right place to post that, since this thread deals with Army ROTC. But I'm sure that someone like Pima will chime in soon! Sorry to hear about the disenrollment.

5. Yes, nationally they are. However there are some Guard programs (such as state run Airborne/Air Assault courses) that are only open to Guard cadets. Also, some cadets wish to stay in the Guard upon commissioning, they neccesarily aren't competing with the rest of the OML (the AD or Reserve hopefuls) because they're job will come from positions open in the Guard
Just wanted to add to this. Also remember that if you take Guard/Reserve money you with commission into the Guard/Reserve In otherwords, you will not be able to go Active Duty. An example, if you accept a GRFD (Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty) scholarship, you will be ineligible to commission into the Active Duty Army.

Also make sure you find out the rules and requirements of SMP in your state. SMP programs can vary state to state.
 
I would probably direct your questions toward AFHQ, not the anonymous message board. But in reality, it seems like they were pretty clear. You failed. You requested a third attempt, but the AF did not grant you an exception to their standard. You did not meet their standard after the first try or the second try. You may not like the answer, but it is their answer. Life sucks, drive on.

I'm not sure what you're looking for here, whether you want us to tell you you deserve X number of chances or what, but I don't think you'll find it. Standards are standards. I think we owe it to the nation we support, and that supports us, to maintain those standards as stewards of the profession.
 
I agree with both Thompson and Bull.

1. This is a AROTC thread, and it is about SMP.
2. Nobody here can assist you.

The fact is standards are standards, and when they had a 60% selection rate after doing a pre-board at the det level where they cut a huge amount too you were going to be in an uphill battle even if they gave you a third shot because you would now be a 500 or aka above zone for selection. Anytime you are above zone your chances for selection can be close to nil.

They told you to hold tight because there was a chance at that time to be selected for EA, but once you weren't selected the fat lady was singing very loud. They were getting ahead of the paperwork needed in case you were selected. The denial impo was sealed the minute you failed the AFOQT for the 2nd time. The AFOQT is a nice chunk of your score, to offset that 0 you would have had to be a superstar in everything else like a 100 on the PFT, a 4.0 cgpa AND a Tech major, plus you needed not be number three, but number one

Honestly, you know the answer you are looking for because you posted it....Budget cuts/constraints. The AF has more cadets than they have the need for while they downsize due to DoD budget constraints. It was not personal, it was business. It is no different than an intern not being offered a position with a company when they only had 1 vacancy, but 5 interns.

Now, your next step is yours...I know there are cadets that were dis-enrolled like you and they are looking into transferring to NROTC and AROTC. If this is appealing to you than my suggestion is to take this life altering change and learn from it so you can be the best officer in a different branch.
 
Clarkson,

I think the OP found the answer a long time ago. This thread was revived after a two year hiatus.
 
Back
Top