Army ROTC or Navy OCS? Career Advice?

[Cobra198]

Hello everyone...so im new here. I have been interested in becoming an officer for the U.S. military for a while now. There is no greater passion than learning new things and overall serving for my country. I am currently 17, but in a few months i turn 18, so i will be enlisting in one branch soon. My highschool gpa is terrible (2.1) and i have not taken my SAT scores. Also i have taken the ASVAB (i rushed a bit since i took it during school at the end of my junior year) and got a 52 without studying. I Plan on taking this test again by studying hard.

Anyways i have two plans that i want to go through as i know i have the Passion/Drive to achieve them. I will be going to college to gain a major in business management.I want to start a tech company once i finish my service the military. I have two options, but one is much easier to obtain than the other.

Army-My college offers army ROTC, so i can Enlist in the national guard and get my major while doing ROTC (as long as i maintain a high gpa) and afterwards recieve a comission in whether infantry or intelligence.

Navy-This one is a bit complicated since no college near me offers NROTC, so i only have OCS to gain a comission from. I will consider maybe enlisting in the navy first. Also as usual work for my major and once i have, to speak with an officer candidate recruiter and overall try to get accepted. I want to go for whether a SWO or intelligence also.

Now my concerns would be;

Are both of these options valid to obtaining my goal?
Is there any options that i may of gotten wrong or overlooked?
Currently what are the chances of becoming a navy officer compared to an army officer with a business major? (ive done pleanty of research, but its somewhat outdated)

 

[AROTC-dad]

Kudos to you for wanting to serve.

The Navy is very focused on STEM majors. Both your GPA and your interest in pursuing a business major reduce your chances of earning a scholarship. OCS tends to be the last resource to "top off" their officer needs. This also makes Navy a more challenging path.

The ASVAB is only for enlisted. This forum focuses on commissioning as an officer and thus the SAT/ACT is more relevant. Have you taken either?

If you want to be an officer and major in business, the Army (or Marine Corps) doesn't care what your major is, so Army or Marines may be more viable for you.

I believe that the following paths may be worth a closer look:

• AROTC as a non-contract cadet - Work hard and earn (grades and fitness) a contract or campus based scholarship during your freshman year.
• Marine PLC/OCS while attending college. You work out with local Marine poolees and attend summer training. Upon graduation you MAY or MAY NOT be offered a contract based on grades and how well you do in training.
• Enlist in Army NG and attend college on SMP and participate in Army ROTC.

I recommend you speak to a Marine OSO (not a recruiter) and your college Army ROTC recruiting operations officer or ROO (also NOT a recruiter). You will get the best local info from these two sources.

 

[kinnem]

+1 to AROTC-dad. As usual, he is right on the mark.

 

[Cobra198]

Kudos to you for wanting to serve.

The Navy is very focused on STEM majors. Both your GPA and your interest in pursuing a business major reduce your chances of earning a scholarship. OCS tends to be the last resource to "top off" their officer needs. This also makes Navy a more challenging path.

The ASVAB is only for enlisted. This forum focuses on commissioning as an officer and thus the SAT/ACT is more relevant. Have you taken either?

If you want to be an officer and major in business, the Army (or Marine Corps) doesn't care what your major is, so Army or Marines may be more viable for you.

I believe that the following paths may be worth a closer look:

• AROTC as a non-contract cadet - Work hard and earn (grades and fitness) a contract or campus based scholarship during your freshman year.
• Marine PLC/OCS while attending college. You work out with local Marine poolees and attend summer training. Upon graduation you MAY or MAY NOT be offered a contract based on grades and how well you do in training.
• Enlist in Army NG and attend college on SMP and participate in Army ROTC.

I recommend you speak to a Marine OSO (not a recruiter) and your college Army ROTC recruiting operations officer or ROO (also NOT a recruiter). You will get the best local info from these two sources.

Thank you for such a detailed answer I have not taken the SAT yet, but i will during my senior year. Its honestly unfortunate the Navy option is a bit hard, especially when they concentrate on majors that i dont like too much (except probably Mechanical engineering). Thing is if i were to try going to NROTC, id have to move out of my city, which is not something i have the money for.

I think the SMP option sounds nice and overall perfectly obtainable, can i still go to active duty being in the national guard going to ROTC?

 

[AROTC-dad]

I think the SMP option sounds nice and overall perfectly obtainable, can i still go to active duty being in the national guard going to ROTC?

In some cases yes as long as you do NOT accept GFRD money. Ideally ASK YOUR ROO about the best route to active duty as the NG rules can vary by State.

Here are some old threads on this:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/smp-national-guard-to-active-duty.48346/

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/smp-active-duty-option.43231/

 

[Day-Tripper]

Hello everyone...so im new here. I have been interested in becoming an officer for the U.S. military for a while now. There is no greater passion than learning new things and overall serving for my country. I am currently 17, but in a few months i turn 18, so i will be enlisting in one branch soon. My highschool gpa is terrible (2.1) and i have not taken my SAT scores. Also i have taken the ASVAB (i rushed a bit since i took it during school at the end of my junior year) and got a 52 without studying. I Plan on taking this test again by studying hard.

Anyways i have two plans that i want to go through as i know i have the Passion/Drive to achieve them. I will be going to college to gain a major in business management.I want to start a tech company once i finish my service the military. I have two options, but one is much easier to obtain than the other.

Army-My college offers army ROTC, so i can Enlist in the national guard and get my major while doing ROTC (as long as i maintain a high gpa) and afterwards recieve a comission in whether infantry or intelligence.

Navy-This one is a bit complicated since no college near me offers NROTC, so i only have OCS to gain a comission from. I will consider maybe enlisting in the navy first. Also as usual work for my major and once i have, to speak with an officer candidate recruiter and overall try to get accepted. I want to go for whether a SWO or intelligence also.

Now my concerns would be;

Are both of these options valid to obtaining my goal?
Is there any options that i may of gotten wrong or overlooked?
Currently what are the chances of becoming a navy officer compared to an army officer with a business major? (ive done pleanty of research, but its somewhat outdated)

What is your greatest desire?

1. To get a college degree?
2. To serve in the military as an officer?
3. To serve in the military in any capacity?

If you want a college degree & need financial help in doing so (no shame there) but lack the ability to be awarded (i.e. 2.1 GPA in high school) an ROTC scholarship, consider National Guard service while in college. Benefits differ from state-to-state, but it's possible in some states to get a free college education through the Guard.

Also consider serving as an enlisted person for a tour of duty, earning GI Bill benefits for essentially free college after service. Nothing wrong with being a member of what the British Empire called "Other Ranks".

If you want college education & are open to the Army National Guard, consider SMP (serving in both the Guard &ROTC at the same time), which offers generous tuition benefits while getting Guard pay & stipend. GPA requirements aren't that stringent either.

I could go on and on, but the options available to you are myriad.

Put that 2.1 GPA behind you & go for it!