Are you ready?

[sheriff3]

I should have posted this earlier this summer but forgot. For those of you about to report to your units for the first time here are some tips I have gleaned over the last 5 years.
1) Be ready to pass the APFT. This is the number one barrier that keeps cadets from contracting and activating your scholarship. About half of the 4 year scholarship earners in my DS unit failed the test the first time out.
2) Show up in regulation. This means haircut, proper PT gear/attire. No piercings. One prospective cadet showed up with long hair, less than politically correct verbiage on his shirt and failed the test. It was not the best way to make a first impression. He was voted off the island.
3) Make sure you have all of your information at hand. DS completed his SF 86 form prior to arrival . There will be lots of questions on this form your parents will have to help you with unless you can remember everywhere you have traveled and lived your entire 18-19 years in this earth.
4) Have some money in your account and available. It may be a month or two before your stipend is deposited.
5) Keep in contact with your financial office , make sure they know you are ROTC. Proactive communication will head off lots of issues.
Lastly, have fun but make good choices. You will be held to a higher standard for the next 4-5 years during college. Don’t jeopardize this incredible opportunity and risk a $100k-$200k scholarship to have a beer and get an MIP.
Good luck to you all!

 

[Jcleppe]

/\Excellent Post and advice.....I would add only one thing if you are on a 4 year Scholarship.

Download or get a copy from your Battalion of the 104R form. See if you can schedule an appointment with your academic advisor. You may be required to show up to school a few days early for ROTC Orientation, this is a great time to schedule a meeting with your advisor. Get a copy of the 104R as soon as you can, this way you can review it and get an idea of how to fill it out. The 104R is basically a schedule of your classes for the entire 4 years, it's meant to show your plan to graduate if the 4 years.

Don't get too hung up on having it perfect, the form can and will be revised each year due to class availability. The goal is to have your schedule planned out on the 104R so ROTC can see that you will graduate in 4 years. Both mu son's 104R forms they filled out at the beginning of ROTC looked anything like what their final transcript looked like when they graduated. The point is to get one filled out as soon as you can because you will not be allowed to contract until all the paperwork is completed. Get this done early so you can start receiving your Stipend right away providing you pass the APFT.

Best of luck to you all

 

[robnj1961]

good advice-even as a 4 year scholarship winner and passing the PFT you will not contract for 6 weeks. (and get your stipend) Not sure why it takes so long but it does.


Im assuming you dont contract ver year?

 

[sheriff3]

One other thing, try to do your SF -86 prior to arriving. There will be questions on the form where your parents knowledge will be helpful.

 

[clarksonarmy]

good advice-even as a 4 year scholarship winner and passing the PFT you will not contract for 6 weeks. (and get your stipend) Not sure why it takes so long but it does.


Im assuming you dont contract ver year?

Disagree. Not sure what program you are in, but 4 of my freshmen contracted the Friday before classes started this year, and all 6 of my freshmen 4 year winners were contracted on day one last year. Most saw their first stipend check by September 1st.

Let’s not generalize something that varies so widely, based on program.

That being said, Cadets should assume the money will show up on time, and they should plan to front money for books and the first months expenses.

 

[robnj1961]

good advice-even as a 4 year scholarship winner and passing the PFT you will not contract for 6 weeks. (and get your stipend) Not sure why it takes so long but it does.


Im assuming you dont contract ver year?

Disagree. Not sure what program you are in, but 4 of my freshmen contracted the Friday before classes started this year, and all 6 of my freshmen 4 year winners were contracted on day one last year. Most saw their first stipend check by September 1st.

Let’s not generalize something that varies so widely, based on program.

That being said, Cadets should assume the money will show up on time, and they should plan to front money for books and the first months expenses.

Interesting its October 22 and hes still not contracted. Sounds like everything is going very well BUT not contracted. The Army has paid his tuition at a private university. (no stipend yet) Last week they sent him to help recruit. I was in NROTC at same school.

 

[Jcleppe]

Interesting its October 22 and hes still not contracted. Sounds like everything is going very well BUT not contracted. The Army has paid his tuition at a private university. (no stipend yet) Last week they sent him to help recruit. I was in NROTC at same school.

It sounds like he is contracted, the Army does not pay the tuition until the cadet has contracted. Sounds like the issue is with the stipend payment, he should receive a payment amount for the stipend from the date his contract was finalized, the HR person should have that information.