Contracted vs Non-Contracted Cadet

[BSCAR]

What are the differences between the contracted and non-contracted ROTC cadets? I understand that non contracted cadets don't get to go to summer training (e.g. Airborne School), but do they still get to go do FTX?

I understand the differences in compensation, but the money is really a secondary issue for me.

 

[USMA 1994]

You will basically be treated the same in terms of training and classes. Someone mentioned in another post that there may be some uniform items that you would not receive but all cadets receive the basic items to do the training. It will be unit dependent based on what they have.

In the last year, I think there was a formal function in the fall that my DD was not able to attend because she was not contracted and that was about it. It is not necessarily they didn't want her there, they did not have enough dress uniforms for all of the freshman.

Maybe the guys who currently work in ROTC units will correct me if I am mistaken, but at least half of the freshman who start as non-contracted cadets do not return for a second year. There are not unlimited funds to support the people who just want to check it out.

I will give you the same type of advice that you got when applying. Go to college, work hard and do your best. If you show you are committed to ROTC, you will be noticed and the cadre will not care if you are contracted yet or not.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Non contracted cadets DO get to participate in FTX but are NOT eligible for summer programs. At my DS's battalion, non-contracts were allowed to attend "dining in" ceremonies but obviously did not have ASU's and thus wore a suit and tie.

 

[swimmermama1]

So if you are non-contracted and reapply to a SA, then you are not eligible for the Presidential nom?

 

[AROTC-dad]

So if you are non-contracted and reapply to a SA, then you are not eligible for the Presidential nom?

Form 5-497 says "enrolled" not "contracted" but I would guess that a PMS would be more likely to nominate a contracted cadet than a non-contracted.

Here is form 5-497 for USMA
http://www.usma.edu/admissions/Shared Documents/ROTC_Nomination_Form_5-497.pdf

 

[madhttr]

Can only speak for DD's experience, but there seems to be no difference other than not having ASU's to wear to Dining-in (and she was not the only one). In no way did it hold back DD from full participation and recognition.

 

[MohawkArmyROTC]

The difference is one has a military service obligation and will most likely be commissioned, the other does not.

 

[Humey]

My explanation is not based on if you have a scholarship because I think that changes the equations. My son is in AF Rotc. He didn't get a scholarship and wasnt under contract for the first two years. During the summer after finishing your second year and entering your third year, if selected you go to Field Training. If you dont get selected to go, you basically cant continue with AF Rotc as far as I can tell. When you enter your third year, you get contracted in order to continue and are then committed to the AF. For the scholarship kids, you can quit after the first year, but once you start the second year, you are contracted and committed. That is my understanding, but i cant swear its correct. As i think about it, I wonder what happens if you get a scholarship but dont get selected to Field training. Do they take your money away and do you make you repay the second year.?

 

[kinnem]

My explanation is not based on if you have a scholarship because I think that changes the equations. My son is in AF Rotc. He didn't get a scholarship and wasnt under contract for the first two years. During the summer after finishing your second year and entering your third year, if selected you go to Field Training. If you dont get selected to go, you basically cant continue with AF Rotc as far as I can tell. When you enter your third year, you get contracted in order to continue and are then committed to the AF. For the scholarship kids, you can quit after the first year, but once you start the second year, you are contracted and committed. That is my understanding, but i cant swear its correct. As i think about it, I wonder what happens if you get a scholarship but dont get selected to Field training. Do they take your money away and do you make you repay the second year.?

Your understanding is absolutely correct. If a scholarship cadet is not selected for field training then they are out of the program. They are not required to repay since they didn't leave the program but were dropped. The son of one of my cigar smokin' buddies (back in the day when I did that) had a son who was dropped from AFROTC in just this way. He was not required to repay. He just couldn't keep his grades up, but I also expect he spent a lot of time on video games.