DS ( currently an incoming MSIII starting in the Fall) is gathering information about the possibility of converting/transfering his 4 yr scholarship to an SMP/Guard commitment. This is in the very ,very early stages and just looking for pros and cons. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
converting to SMP from 4 yr scholarship
- Thread starter sheriff3
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I would stick with the 4 yr scholarship just to keep options open. You never know in 2 yrs what might happen. While SMP can be a good experience, it can also be a ho hum experience and can be time consuming. With a 4 yr scholarship in hand and with the summer training required the MS-III summer I do not feel it would be worth changing at this point.
Personal opinion worth the amount of time it took you to read it
Personal opinion worth the amount of time it took you to read it
Sheriff, Below are some comments off similar thread 2013-2014. Not sure if you saw them, could give you jumping off points. I remember some recent comments on changes to SMP and options so some of this might be outdated by now. Curious why is he looking to change? Good luck.
Having a scholarship does not require you to go into active duty. I wonder why they use the word "selected" since 50% or more of newly commissioned MS4s go into Army Reserve or National Guard. Although many cadets have by their own choice committed to go into Reserve/NG, there may be just as many who would prefer active duty but are unable to do so.
Your battalion should have cadre members who are familiar with the process. And surely there are MS4s who are going Reserve/NG who can advise you.
EDelahanty, Apr 7, 2014 #2 .
clarksonarmy
If you want guard or reserves you have a couple options.
1. ask to convert your scholarship to a GRFD scholarship. That will guarantee you don't get active and will require you to join the Guard or Reserves while still in college. It's an opportunity to lock in and get your feet wet in the Guard/Reserve world
2. Wait until you access (choose your branch) at the beginning of your Junior year. You can then choose Guard or Reserves and you'll join your chosen component once you graduate.
Your cadre should have briefed you on these options.
It's really not clear what you're asking. Are you asking about converting your 4-yr to a GRFD or are you saying you're a cadet currently on a 4-year scholarship, but you prefer to drop the scholarship and attempt to become an SMP cadet instead? Whatever for? If you desire to go Guard/Reserve upon commissioning, just select that option at the appropriate time.
The only time you can convert to a GRFD is between the beginning of your MSII year and Sept of your MSIII year. If you're in that window, and there are available scholarship allocations, and you're 100% positive you do not want to go active, amd you're not nursing or G2G, then look into it. You'll need to fill out a CC Form 226-R. Talk to your Cadre.
If you're talking about dropping the scholarship altogether, then unless you accept National Guard tuition assistance, you will by no means receive the same benefits (I.e. money) that you get from your scholarship. In order to receive benefits, you will most likely be required to attend Basic and AIT, delaying your schooling and therefore commissioning by up to a year.
Can you give us a little more info as to your thought process, because nothing about this screams good idea to me.
Jcc123, Jul 10, 2013 #2 .
kris606
New Member
Joined:Mar 31, 2012Messages:6Likes Received:0I would like to continue with ROTC, but also to attend drill with reserve or guard because I am reading everywhere that I could not go to drill as an already contracted scholarship cadet.
kris606, Jul 10, 2013 #3 .
clarksonarmy, Jul 10, 2013 #4 .
You can actually convert any time after your freshman year, and there are usually plenty of funds available to allow you to do so.
Pro's
If you know Guard/Reserves is what you want lock yourself in
Drill pay Start the retirement clock a little sooner
Cons
Active Duty is off the table/if you change your mind - too bad
You'll have to start drilling - giving up one weekend a month
If you end up in a unit that doesn't treat their SMP cadets well you may regret the decision
Not a bad idea if you are sure. It will also free up a line scholarship for someone else, which will make your ROO/PMS happy.
Having a scholarship does not require you to go into active duty. I wonder why they use the word "selected" since 50% or more of newly commissioned MS4s go into Army Reserve or National Guard. Although many cadets have by their own choice committed to go into Reserve/NG, there may be just as many who would prefer active duty but are unable to do so.
Your battalion should have cadre members who are familiar with the process. And surely there are MS4s who are going Reserve/NG who can advise you.
EDelahanty, Apr 7, 2014 #2 .
clarksonarmy
If you want guard or reserves you have a couple options.
1. ask to convert your scholarship to a GRFD scholarship. That will guarantee you don't get active and will require you to join the Guard or Reserves while still in college. It's an opportunity to lock in and get your feet wet in the Guard/Reserve world
2. Wait until you access (choose your branch) at the beginning of your Junior year. You can then choose Guard or Reserves and you'll join your chosen component once you graduate.
Your cadre should have briefed you on these options.
It's really not clear what you're asking. Are you asking about converting your 4-yr to a GRFD or are you saying you're a cadet currently on a 4-year scholarship, but you prefer to drop the scholarship and attempt to become an SMP cadet instead? Whatever for? If you desire to go Guard/Reserve upon commissioning, just select that option at the appropriate time.
The only time you can convert to a GRFD is between the beginning of your MSII year and Sept of your MSIII year. If you're in that window, and there are available scholarship allocations, and you're 100% positive you do not want to go active, amd you're not nursing or G2G, then look into it. You'll need to fill out a CC Form 226-R. Talk to your Cadre.
If you're talking about dropping the scholarship altogether, then unless you accept National Guard tuition assistance, you will by no means receive the same benefits (I.e. money) that you get from your scholarship. In order to receive benefits, you will most likely be required to attend Basic and AIT, delaying your schooling and therefore commissioning by up to a year.
Can you give us a little more info as to your thought process, because nothing about this screams good idea to me.
Jcc123, Jul 10, 2013 #2 .
kris606
New Member
Joined:Mar 31, 2012Messages:6Likes Received:0I would like to continue with ROTC, but also to attend drill with reserve or guard because I am reading everywhere that I could not go to drill as an already contracted scholarship cadet.
kris606, Jul 10, 2013 #3 .
clarksonarmy, Jul 10, 2013 #4 .
You can actually convert any time after your freshman year, and there are usually plenty of funds available to allow you to do so.
Pro's
If you know Guard/Reserves is what you want lock yourself in
Drill pay Start the retirement clock a little sooner
Cons
Active Duty is off the table/if you change your mind - too bad
You'll have to start drilling - giving up one weekend a month
If you end up in a unit that doesn't treat their SMP cadets well you may regret the decision
Not a bad idea if you are sure. It will also free up a line scholarship for someone else, which will make your ROO/PMS happy.
Axxif
5-Year Member
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Ummm...
http://ung.edu/military-college-adm...ips-and-grants/army-rotc-scholarship-faqs.php
The last section says that you incur a 4 year AD commitment with an AROTC Scholarship. Is this true then?
http://ung.edu/military-college-adm...ips-and-grants/army-rotc-scholarship-faqs.php
The last section says that you incur a 4 year AD commitment with an AROTC Scholarship. Is this true then?
-Bull-
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It's true if you commission as an AD officer. And the years vary with different scholarship lengths.
Lehigh University AROTC website http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/rotc/scholarships
has a good basic summary of commissioning programs; benefits and obligations. 3 and 4 year national scholarships, and 2-4 campus based scholarships incur same service obligations (4 AD w/4 IRR; or NG;or AR; or 8 year NG or AR, with initial AD for training purposes.) Site also has information on GRFD and SMP.
Axxif cite was to UNG a SMC. Posters have pointed out how AROTC at one of the six senior military colleges may have higher chance of getting AD with their PMS approval. Prior post here had the numbers of SMC graduates who were below the OML cutoff but still received AD. As others have said with the drawdown and sequestration cuts appears much is in flux, and 25%? of AROTC plus who wanted AD may not have received same. Other posters like Pima and Kinnem can confirm NROTC and AFROTC- all go active duty.
Still curious on pros and cons of ROTC scholarship switching to SMP?
has a good basic summary of commissioning programs; benefits and obligations. 3 and 4 year national scholarships, and 2-4 campus based scholarships incur same service obligations (4 AD w/4 IRR; or NG;or AR; or 8 year NG or AR, with initial AD for training purposes.) Site also has information on GRFD and SMP.
Axxif cite was to UNG a SMC. Posters have pointed out how AROTC at one of the six senior military colleges may have higher chance of getting AD with their PMS approval. Prior post here had the numbers of SMC graduates who were below the OML cutoff but still received AD. As others have said with the drawdown and sequestration cuts appears much is in flux, and 25%? of AROTC plus who wanted AD may not have received same. Other posters like Pima and Kinnem can confirm NROTC and AFROTC- all go active duty.
Still curious on pros and cons of ROTC scholarship switching to SMP?
Axxif
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Ah yes, that's right. Sorry I didn't recognize it as such; it's been a while since I initially researched this all. Hey, we're all here to learn; thank you for clearing that up!
Assuming the information on Lehigh University's website is correct, it states that GRFD cadets get both a monthly stipend and have weekend drill that they have to attend (and thus receive training pay as well). That, and you wouldn't be competing for an AD slot.
Edit: Removed some hearsay about service time. To me, there doesn't appeary to really be much difference, at least on paper
Assuming the information on Lehigh University's website is correct, it states that GRFD cadets get both a monthly stipend and have weekend drill that they have to attend (and thus receive training pay as well). That, and you wouldn't be competing for an AD slot.
Edit: Removed some hearsay about service time. To me, there doesn't appeary to really be much difference, at least on paper
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FYI...this currently can't be done. As of about 6 months ago the CG was prohibited from converting a line scholarship to a GRFD scholarship. Until she is give that ability again, if you are on a regular scholarship you cannot go SMP, which would require you to convert your scholarship to GRFD. Now that I've thrown a bowl of alphabet soup at you I'll also remind you that you can still chose to go Guard or Reserves when you commission. You just can't start drilling now.
Well this is new, what is the reasoning? Just curious.
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Rumor has it either the guard or reserves pushed to have conversion looked at by JAG. JAG determined that the Commanding General of Cadet Command doesn't have the authority, so it's being sorted out. For now we are no longer authorized to convert a scholarship like we used to be able to. The push is currently to offer the GRFD up front if a student knows they want to be guard/reserves, but if you have a line scholarship you have to ride it out and request Guard/Reserves when you commission if you want to go that way