Army ROTC SMP

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bman2907

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Aug 14, 2017
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I am currently a MS1 on scholarship and am very interested in the SMP program. I tried talking to guard recruiters, but did not get a definite answer on what the eligibility was to join. I do not want the GRFD money because I hope to go active duty when I commission, but I really want hands-on experience by training with a unit to make me more competitive as a cadet and as best prepared as possible for camp. Also, is it at all possible to study abroad while in the SMP program? I am planning on going abroad next fall which is allowed in ROTC, but that means I would miss half a year of training with the guard on weekends. I was hoping to get some feedback on here since cadre and myself are on winter break.
 
bman2907 said:
I am currently a MS1 on scholarship and am very interested in the SMP program. I tried talking to guard recruiters, but did not get a definite answer on what the eligibility was to join. I do not want the GRFD money because I hope to go active duty when I commission, but I really want hands-on experience by training with a unit to make me more competitive as a cadet and as best prepared as possible for camp. Also, is it at all possible to study abroad while in the SMP program? I am planning on going abroad next fall which is allowed in ROTC, but that means I would miss half a year of training with the guard on weekends. I was hoping to get some feedback on here since cadre and myself are on winter break.
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SMP is designed specifically to develop US Army National Guard & Reserve officers, so gaining an active duty is difficult, from what I've read. State Guard units are willing to put up state tax dollars for SMP to get badly-needed officers, so they are reluctant to lose those officers to the active duty army.

SMP program is pretty lucrative, benefits-wise, but is time consuming (being in ROTC & Army guard simultaneously, as the program's title suggests). If you want active duty & are currently in traditional college ROTC, I suggest you stay there.

References:

https://www.nationalguard.com/simultaneous-membership-program

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/simultaneous-membership-program-rotc-4139867

https://www.army.mil/article/119932/utilizing_the_simultaneous_mentorship_program
 
The rules may have changed, but I was able to go active duty as an SMP, though I was prior enlisted in the unit. They were very supportive.
My wife did SMP and wanted to stay Reserves/Guard but the opposite happened to her. “Needs of the Army”, she was forced active duty. It worked out well for me. She and her civilian boyfriend broke up over it and she was sent to Korea where we met as LTs.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
The rules may have changed, but I was able to go active duty as an SMP
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You still can, but in the case of this cadet he already has a AROTC Scholarship, if he were to switch to SMP they would change that scholarship to a GRFD and he would not be eligible for active duty. Not sure of all the rules but I believe if you are on a scholarship the only way you can swith to SMP is to convert to a GRFD. Clarkson i"m sure can explain all this with the correct information.
 
Jcleppe said:
You still can, but in the case of this cadet he already has
a AROTC Scholarship, if he were to switch to SMP they would change that scholarship to a GRFD and he would not be eligible for active duty. Not sure of all the rules but I believe if you are on a scholarship the only way you can swith to SMP is to convert to a GRFD. Clarkson i"m sure can explain all this with the correct information.
Click to expand...
Yeah, there in the first sentence.
 
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