Basic Training?

[amber1walter]

I am currently a second-semester freshman looking into the SMP program with the Army ROTC program and the National Guard at my college. I've been talking to a recruiter and the ROTC Sergeant at my university. One of the biggest things that I am struggling with is the decision of when to join. Do I join asap so that I can get into the National Guard and be able to go to basic training, then join ROTC in the fall? Or do I wait until the fall to do both, that way I don't have to go through basic? I'm not scared of going to basic by any means, I'm just not sure if I want to use up all of my summer between basic and AIT. I think the activities that take place at basic would be an amazing opportunity to be able to be a part of. But I normally do a lot during my summer that I'm not sure I want to miss out on either. I have talked to my recruiter about skipping basic. However, obviously, they state it is better to do it. What are everyone else's thoughts? Have you done basic and are glad? Do you wish you would've done basic? Do you wish you wouldn't have? Other than money benefits, what are reasonings behind doing it?

Also, side note. I know that when graduating from an SMP program you become a second lieutenant in the National Guard (as that is the branch I'm looking at) and you are required to at least commit to part-time. However, if you have the right job they could hire you as full-time. Do you have to go to basic in order to be considered for a full-time position? Or with the help of the ROTC can you jump past basic if I so chose?

Thank you!!

 

[Tbpxece]

Have you done basic and are glad?​

Yes, yes.

Do you wish you would've done basic?

I did Basic, so I don't need to wish.

Do you wish you wouldn't have?

No, because I was glad. (We already covered this, Amber )

Other than money benefits, what are reasonings behind doing it?

It is required to be enlisted. I wanted to be enlisted. So I was glad to go.

Also, side note. I know that when graduating from an SMP program you become a second lieutenant in the National Guard (as that is the branch I'm looking at) and you are required to at least commit to part-time. However, if you have the right job they could hire you as full-time. Do you have to go to basic in order to be considered for a full-time position?

Basic is for enlisted. Officers do not go to Basic unless they are prior enlisted. Unless you count Basic Officer Training as a "Basic". In that case, Officers would go to Basic without being prior-enlisted.

You do not have to go to Basic in ROTC unless you enlist into the Guard or Reserves (i.e. what you would do with SMP)

You do not have to have gone to Basic to get a full-time position.

Full-time Guard position requirements are usually advertised on USAJOBS if they are technician (Title 32 or Title 5), or advertised locally if they are AGR (Active Guard/Reserve, basically Active Duty in the Guard). Full-time positions are generally harder to get as a commissioned officer because there are fewer. They are generally tied to your MOS, although this is not always the case.

Take care that you are not confusing "full-time" with "active duty". Active duty is one thing. Full-time Guardsman is another. Which are you asking about?

Or with the help of the ROTC can you jump past basic if I so chose?

Do you want me to jump past Basic with the help of ROTC if you chose? In that case, no. I'm good. I've been to two Basics already. No need for more. Two Basics is enough Basics for most people, and it's certainly enough for me.

If you're asking if you can skip past Basic via ROTC, then sure! Don't do SMP. Just join ROTC as a college student and apply for an AROTC scholarship.

Great questions, Amber! Keep them coming! ​

 

[Jcleppe]

One thing to remember is that you do not need to go to either BCT or AIT to be a SMP cadet. If you choose not to attend you would not be eligible for the tuition assistance. If you drop ROTC then you would be required to attend both BCT and AIT. You can commission Active Duty as long as you do not accept and scholarship that is tied to the Guard.

Some AROTC programs have a Sgt that is part of the Cadre that is from the Guard, they also act as a recruiter for the Guard. Probably why you see some battalions with a large number of SMP cadets. Make sure that you also talk over this idea with he battalion ROO to make sure you get all your options spelled out before you jump to signing anything.

My son's battalion had this Sgt. He was always talking up the program and would talk to cadets about cancelling their scholarships and going SMP, my son included. While my son never switched he had a couple cadets in class that did, they dropped their scholarships and switched to SMP the start of their junior year, neither attended BCT. Both decided to commission into the Guard though they still had the option of Active Duty. Both branched Aviation.

Just make sure you do your research with the battalion ROO so you know all your options, then you can make an informed decision on whether to go SMP and whether to attend BCT. If you don't attend BCT then you would attend CEIT the summer between your freshman and sophomore year if you were to join ROTC now, but you need to decide soon because the slots for CEIT will soon be filling up.

Best of luck to you.