Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".
I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?
If it's important to your son to have the chance of Active Duty, then he should think real hard about going ECP. While the paperwork, the recruiters, and the PMS may state that the opportunity is there, it's rare and depends on the year. Getting the GRFD Control number revoked is not easy, even with the recommendation of the PMS. The fine print says it's possible but it's often not probable. I talked to a cadet that was able to get their GRFD control number revoked, he had finished #1 in his class and was the only cadet to have the number revoked that year. CAD (call to active duty) is dependent on the year and the needs of the Army as well as what Army branch you are.
Once the cadet completes the 2 years in ECP and commission, they will start drilling in the Reserves/NG, they have 3 years to complete their 4 year degree. Until they complete their degree they will drill as a non branched 2LT since they will not attend BOLC until they finish their degree and graduate. What they do on drill will depend on the unit and what they want to do with a non branched 2LT. Depending on their birthday many ECP 2LTs start drilling at around 20 years old, which for a 2LT carries it's own issues, again a lot will depend on the unit they join.
While finishing their 4 year degree they will not be part of or participate in the school's ROTC program, they check in from time to time but that's it.
Just make sure your son does all the research and read past what the ECP schools tell him and whats written on the websites and recruiting information.