From National Gaurd to ROTC

AJ1999

AJ1999

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Dec 17, 2018
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In a recent post of mine someone mentioned people they knew would go into the national guard to go to basic training early then get an ROTC scholarship that would terminate their contract with the national guard. How would one go about that and are there other ways to go to active duty directly after ROTC if I go into the guard to go to basic training early.
 
Just to clarify you are talking about enlisting in the Army NG and then going to Army ROTC and then AD Army, correct?
 
Each State will be the one to make the decision. I have gotten a verbal commitment here (MA) to "take care of the Soldier" to the extent that is possible. What I mean by that is that they would be willing to release "you" from your enlistment contract if you are to receive >$30k in scholarship money instead. They bargain that by taking care of you, they are more likely to get you or one of your compatriots to come back to them later. It is also worth noting that some States offer sufficient benefits that you are better off as a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Cadet at a State School than giving up those benefits to take a scholarship. Note: You can have both the scholarship and the Guard benefits, but you will lose your Active Duty choice by accepting both sets of benefits. The USAR offers benefits as well, but rarely do they match what the States have to offer through the National Guard.
 
I am also a prior enlisted. Whenever I talked to my recruiting officer I informed him that I was interested in being an non-scholarship applicant so that I would be able to compete for a active duty slot upon accessions.
 
raider1021_ said:
I am also a prior enlisted. Whenever I talked to my recruiting officer I informed him that I was interested in being an non-scholarship applicant so that I would be able to compete for a active duty slot upon accessions.
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Yes, but you will have to get a conditional release to do so. Most units will give them, but you cannot count on it. SMP is likely the easiest route for this. If you go AFROTC it is a little different and called "pursuing status". Do your research before running down this path-- it's not automatic.
 
Once you contract your national guard contract is voided. If you received a scholarship that ties you to the National Guard, yes, you would have to be released. A lot of people choose the non-scholarship route so they will have more options regarding whether they want to access active or a reserve component.
 
raider1021_ said:
Once you contract your national guard contract is voided. If you received a scholarship that ties you to the National Guard, yes, you would have to be released. A lot of people choose the non-scholarship route so they will have more options regarding whether they want to access active or a reserve component.
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You will have to get a CR to go from RC to AC. Or complete your enlistment, separate, and take a break in service. There is no reverse Palace Front.
 
Tbpxece said:
You will have to get a CR to go from RC to AC. Or complete your enlistment, separate, and take a break in service. There is no reverse Palace Front.
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I’ve met quite a few people that have went from NG to active without having to get a CR. The only ones I have met that required a CR were the individuals who received scholarships that were tied to reserve components.
 
raider1021_ said:
I’ve met quite a few people that have went from NG to active without having to get a CR. The only ones I have met that required a CR were the individuals who received scholarships that were tied to reserve components.
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Cadet, I'm not sure where you found these unicorns, but the process is pretty clear. You will need a DD368 (CR) or a break-in-service to go from the RC to the AC.

But don't take my word for it. Take the Army's. Scroll to the end. For your additional reading pleasure, here are the instructions governing a break-in-service transfer from RC to AC (aka Prior Service Business Rules).

If I am wrong, please provide the AR or other Army policy stating so. My intent is not to argue, but to ensure accurate information is presented for others who may have the same question.
 
Tbpxece said:
Cadet, I'm not sure where you found these unicorns, but the process is pretty clear. You will need a DD368 (CR) or a break-in-service to go from the RC to the AC.
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I think what he's referring to are cadets that are in the NG as a Contracted SMP cadet without any scholarship such as The Minuteman or GRFD. These cadets have been designated as a 09R, when it comes time to list their component choice they can either list AD or Reserves/NG, if they are within the cutoff then they can assess AD. Since they are a 09R they are not the same as the NG/Reserve members that are referenced in the link you posted. An exception is that cadets that go through ECP are given a control number and they have to apply for a CR to be able to go AD.
 
Jcleppe said:
I think what he's referring to are cadets that are in the NG as a Contracted SMP cadet without any scholarship such as The Minuteman or GRFD. These cadets have been designated as a 09R, when it comes time to list their component choice they can either list AD or Reserves/NG, if they are within the cutoff then they can assess AD. Since they are a 09R they are not the same as the NG/Reserve members that are referenced in the link you posted. An exception is that cadets that go through ECP are given a control number and they have to apply for a CR to be able to go AD.
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Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is ECP?
 
DSmom_in_IL said:
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is ECP?
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Early Commissioning Program.

It's an Army-only program that allows college students to commission as a 2d Lt with just two years of school. The caveats are that (1) they commission into the reserve component (i.e. Army National Guard/Army Reserves), and (2) they must finish the remainder of their bachelor's degree within two years. As far as I've ever known, it's only offered at the MJC's (Marion, NMMI, Valley Forge, and GA Military). They are also not guaranteed an active duty spot.

There is a SAF thread here that has a lot more info on it, including answered questions.
 
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Tbpxece said:
Early Commissioning Program.

It's an Army-only program that allows college students to commission as a 2d Lt with just two years of school. The caveats are that (1) they commission into the reserve component (i.e. Army National Guard/Army Reserves), and (2) they must finish the remainder of their bachelor's degree within two years. As far as I've ever known, it's only offered at the MJC's (Marion, NMMI, Valley Forge, and GA Military). They are also not guaranteed an active duty spot.

There is a SAF thread here that has a lot more info on it, including answered questions.
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Thank you!
 
Not only are they not guaranteed an Active Duty slot, it is highly unlikely they will get Active Duty.
 
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