ECP to ACTIVE DUTY

QA1517

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DS is commissioning in May from a Military Junior College, he is an ECP Scholarship cadet. They had to submit their request to have their GRFD numbers revoked prior to commissioning. Therfore he hasn't done his final APFT or taken the standardized tests that are going to be required for future National OML with other cadets he would access with.
In the past this was done at their follow up school, it changed last year I guess. In the past ECP's were allowed the opportunity to compete if they were in good standing. Several that graduated from his school 2 yrs ago received active duty this year.


His stats are:
3.4 GPA
Dean's List
280+ APFT
ranked 7th out of 30 MS-3's at his school
5th out of his school at LDAC (1 E shy of overall E but was not evaluated on 4 aspects so he received S's in those areas)
Distinguished Military Student Award
American Legion Award for highest point totals on training evaluations as an MS-3
Color Guard
National Junior College Fraternity
Graduated Air Assault School at Fort Benning
Platoon Sergeant in his Corps of Cadets
Platoon Tactics Officer his ROTC battalion
Contracted as a freshman at first opportunity and was assigned his SMP Unit
Completed SMP with an Engineering Sapper Unit with high evals from his commander. Never missed a drill date. Acted as interim platoon leader while his LT was at BOLC

Request to revoke GRFD number and be allowed to compete for active duty DENIED!!!
I don't know what else he could have done.

There may be an ECP cadet someplace that got there number revoked this year but I wouldn't count on it in the future.

In my mind that also means that ECP cadets going to SMC's in hopes of getting active duty will not because their GRFD numbers were not revoked prior to commissioning as is the new rule.

The recruiters can say it's still possible, because on paper it is, but with cut backs and draw downs the reality would be against it.
 
I have a question regarding the ECP program.

The obligation to the Guard/Reserves is 8 years, does this time start when an ECP cadet commissions or when they graduate with their 4 year degree and start BOLC?
 
I have a question regarding the ECP program.

The obligation to the Guard/Reserves is 8 years, does this time start when an ECP cadet commissions or when they graduate with their 4 year degree and start BOLC?
That starts when they commission because as of that point they are in the guard (they have to be assigned a unit to commission into). They do not go to BOLC until they graduate with their 4 yr degree, at which time they are promotable LT's
 
I am so sorry to hear that this turned out this way.
When he accepted his scholarship it really wasn't an issue but earlier this school year the writing on the wall was becoming clearer. We all tried to stay positive and hope he would squeeze thru the door before it shut but didn't quite make it.

He let me know yesterday afternoon so I havn't talked to him much. I knew he was upset and really wouldn't be in the mood for my pep talks or questions so I just gave him a text hug and pat on the back. I know my son, he will continue to do the best he can, he doesn't quit on things, and he'll become one hell of an officer. He knows this wasn't anything he did, just an Army decision, still sucks though.

I told him at least he knows now instead of having to wait another 1 1/2 years. He can focus on his future and education, which will be 100% paid for by the military with no debt when finished.
 
This came up in a conversation the other day, and out of curiosity, is there a time limit in which an ECP graduate has to finish their 4 year degree in order to retain their commission?
 
DS is commissioning in May from a Military Junior College, he is an ECP Scholarship cadet. They had to submit their request to have their GRFD numbers revoked prior to commissioning. Therfore he hasn't done his final APFT or taken the standardized tests that are going to be required for future National OML with other cadets he would access with.
In the past this was done at their follow up school, it changed last year I guess. In the past ECP's were allowed the opportunity to compete if they were in good standing. Several that graduated from his school 2 yrs ago received active duty this year.


His stats are:
3.4 GPA
Dean's List
280+ APFT
ranked 7th out of 30 MS-3's at his school
5th out of his school at LDAC (1 E shy of overall E but was not evaluated on 4 aspects so he received S's in those areas)
Distinguished Military Student Award
American Legion Award for highest point totals on training evaluations as an MS-3
Color Guard
National Junior College Fraternity
Graduated Air Assault School at Fort Benning
Platoon Sergeant in his Corps of Cadets
Platoon Tactics Officer his ROTC battalion
Contracted as a freshman at first opportunity and was assigned his SMP Unit
Completed SMP with an Engineering Sapper Unit with high evals from his commander. Never missed a drill date. Acted as interim platoon leader while his LT was at BOLC

Request to revoke GRFD number and be allowed to compete for active duty DENIED!!!
I don't know what else he could have done.

There may be an ECP cadet someplace that got there number revoked this year but I wouldn't count on it in the future.

In my mind that also means that ECP cadets going to SMC's in hopes of getting active duty will not because their GRFD numbers were not revoked prior to commissioning as is the new rule.

The recruiters can say it's still possible, because on paper it is, but with cut backs and draw downs the reality would be against it.
I apologize for not understanding... I know the acronyms but I dont understand the problem... Is it that your DS wants to go active duty BEFORE he completes his education or that he is stuck with some lousy numbers from his past that are keeping him from advancing?
I am just trying to learn about every problem that might arise for my DS as he searches for someone else to pay for is education before he becomes an officer (nobody wants to learn how to blow up a bridge with their unit and not know how the explosives work!)
 
I apologize for not understanding... I know the acronyms but I dont understand the problem... Is it that your DS wants to go active duty BEFORE he completes his education or that he is stuck with some lousy numbers from his past that are keeping him from advancing?
I am just trying to learn about every problem that might arise for my DS as he searches for someone else to pay for is education before he becomes an officer (nobody wants to learn how to blow up a bridge with their unit and not know how the explosives work!)

You posted on another thread about how you thought someone was being crude and insulting, you might want to read what you just posted here. The "lousy numbers" comment was out of line.

If you know the acronyms then you would understand the issue.

Your son has a long way to go before he can even think about commissioning, searching for someone else to pay for college sounds like it will be keeping him busy, or he can do what most students do and pay for it himself.

And please explain what the heck blowing up a bridge has to do with anything.
 
This came up in a conversation the other day, and out of curiosity, is there a time limit in which an ECP graduate has to finish their 4 year degree in order to retain their commission?

Did not find specific Army regulations, but several of the junior military colleges reference 36 months for 2nd Lt. to finish bachelors degree.
From Georgia Military College website: "ECP Lieutenants have to complete their Bachelor’s Degree to go Active Duty and to be promoted to Captain. The Army expects ECP Lieutenants to complete their 4-year degree within three years after receiving their commission from the Military Junior College."
 
Did not find specific Army regulations, but several of the junior military colleges reference 36 months for 2nd Lt. to finish bachelors degree.
From Georgia Military College website: "ECP Lieutenants have to complete their Bachelor’s Degree to go Active Duty and to be promoted to Captain. The Army expects ECP Lieutenants to complete their 4-year degree within three years after receiving their commission from the Military Junior College."

This is correct. I have a couple friends that went the JMC ECP route and this is what they told me. Interesting thing is apparently it really isn't a well communicated standard and many folks are actually quite disenheartened once they learn that they actually must complete their degree at some point. Many initial ECP's decide to stay enlisted reservists for this reason (sounds like hearsay I know, but I've seen it in my interactions with ECP guys and it's come up in conversation alot).
 
I apologize for not understanding... I know the acronyms but I dont understand the problem... Is it that your DS wants to go active duty BEFORE he completes his education or that he is stuck with some lousy numbers from his past that are keeping him from advancing?
I am just trying to learn about every problem that might arise for my DS as he searches for someone else to pay for is education before he becomes an officer (nobody wants to learn how to blow up a bridge with their unit and not know how the explosives work!)
This is correct. I have a couple friends that went the JMC ECP route and this is what they told me. Interesting thing is apparently it really isn't a well communicated standard and many folks are actually quite disenheartened once they learn that they actually must complete their degree at some point. Many initial ECP's decide to stay enlisted reservists for this reason (sounds like hearsay I know, but I've seen it in my interactions with ECP guys and it's come up in conversation alot).

Bulldog, DS is well aware of finishing his degree, and yes technically you have 3 yrs after you commission to do so, but no seems to know if that is ED and only available for certain majors or if it's for any major. He plans on finishing in 2. The HR person and Cadre at his school are top notch and if you don't understand or complete paperwork on time it really is your own fault.

Wayne, no lousy numbers whatever that means, look at his resume' on first post. He knows the requirements, and he knows the rules.
The program requires the participants to enlist in the reserves or guards. For the past decade plus they could request to have their guard ID number revoked so they could compete for active duty with traditional ROTC students, it is written in the contracts that way. IF you had good numbers and were competitive and completed the ECP contract requirements on time then it was given they would revoke your number to allow you to compete for active duty. This used to be done by cadet command after the ECP cadets completed their junior year at their follow up college. Last year and this year it changed and they had to get their numbers revoked prior to commissioning from the junior college. This year it changed more and is up to the secretary of army I believe (someone above cadet command) to revoke the numbers. And apparently that answer is a blanket DENIED. Again, there may be someone that got their numbers revoked to compete for AD, I don't know for sure, but I surely thought DS's numbers and accomplishments would have been good enough.

Nothing is being done that is not written in the contracts, it is up to the Army, it's just disappointing to not get the chance when for the past several years it hasn't been an issue. Times change and with cut backs and downsizing it's understandable I guess, just disappointing. You enter with 1 understanding then things change. You regroup, adjust, and continue on.
 
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