DS now has to decide on ECP Scholarship or ROTC

[KutMomof3]

Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".

I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?

 

[Labrador]

Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".

I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?

My DS is in the EXACT same boat. The program looks good but... I have the same questions as you, and would like to add one more. We have heard from schools that offer ECP programs that it is possible to branch active-duty after the 4-year school, yet I have read on the forums that this is, in reality, not a realistic option. Tell us all you know!

 

[KutMomof3]

Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".

I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?

My DS is in the EXACT same boat. The program looks good but... I have the same questions as you, and would like to add one more. We have heard from schools that offer ECP programs that it is possible to branch active-duty after the 4-year school, yet I have read on the forums that this is, in reality, not a realistic option. Tell us all you know!

Labrador, I have heard the same. He says he is fine with that, but he is 17 and may not realize the importance of having options upon graduation. I believe he is competitive enough to get a 3-year, but he is hesitant to not take a "for sure" opportunity. He also believes that if he does well at the Military Junior College he could possibly transfer to a school of higher caliber than the state school he currently planned to attend.

Have you researched the Military Junior Colleges much? Their websites seem out-of-date and of low quality, which concerns me.

 

[PVET]

The ECP commissions officers to reserve components (National guard/ reserves). You can apply for active duty later, but the chances of making it into active duty after prior service in the reserves is slim. I would take a chance and try to get a 3 year at an accredited university with a great ROTC program. As long as your PT scores and grades are great, you should have no issue trying to get one.

 

[Donkopolous]

I would take some time, not to much though with time constraints, to think this through. My DS received a 4 year NROTC MO scholarship and turned it down for a 3 year AD AROTC based on the school choice. The NROTC MO option was to schools he would never attend and did not have his degree. Found out today with the Army ROTC ROO that his school does not offer many 3 year college level AD scholarship (1 in the last 3 years) or .5 year scholarships on a 3 year AD. The ECP is a good route, don't get me wrong - but as a veteran, if you really want active duty, I would even look at going to the Junior College route and *maybe* a two year ROTC scholarship into a college. You still have a few options so discern your overall goal(s). Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[rotcadet2021]

I was in the same boat. I'm now a rising junior with a 2.5 year scholarship. As long as you can cover the cost of tuition, you shouldn't be afraid to compete for an on campus scholarship. Being able to choose a univesrsity and major program is much more important than picking a university specfically for ROTC. You'll find that picking the school with the strongest program for your academics and "college life" is extremely important in whether or not you're able to manage and enjoy ROTC.

 

[KutMomof3]

I was in the same boat. I'm now a rising junior with a 2.5 year scholarship. As long as you can cover the cost of tuition, you shouldn't be afraid to compete for an on campus scholarship. Being able to choose a univesrsity and major program is much more important than picking a university specfically for ROTC. You'll find that picking the school with the strongest program for your academics and "college life" is extremely important in whether or not you're able to manage and enjoy ROTC.

I really appreciate this information. I want him to enjoy college. I think either way could be equally strong for him academically, but I think the traditional ROTC route would be more like a true college experience.

 

[AROTC-dad]

but I think the traditional ROTC route would be more like a true college experience

This was clearly my DS's experience four years ago.

• In 2015, he was TWE'd by both USMA (early in cycle) and by USNA (late in the cycle).
• He was also turned down by NROTC/MO scholarship and never even applied for Army ROTC scholarship.
• He ended up as a "walk-on" at AROTC at his local State University. Within six months he earned a 3 year battalion campus-based scholarship (later extended another half year).
• Taught snowboarding on the weekends. Played intramural sports. Also worked for a local restaurant. Did a lot of EC's with ROTC.
• Thrived both academically and in ROTC.

He commissions this May and received his first choice of branch (armor). He had a great college experience and never even considered reapplying to the SA's.

His Plan B turned out to be Plan A+

 

[PastorZack]

Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".

I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?

My DS is in the EXACT same boat. The program looks good but... I have the same questions as you, and would like to add one more. We have heard from schools that offer ECP programs that it is possible to branch active-duty after the 4-year school, yet I have read on the forums that this is, in reality, not a realistic option. Tell us all you know!

My son was given the ECP scholarship (Ike Skelton) from the first board. He has wanted to go to a military school since he was little. SAT/ACT scores not high enough for SA's and chose to fill in for the ECP on the ROTC app. By doing so, it took him out of the running for the later boards. He was fine with that until getting into the Citadel, and started having second thoughts. He finally decided VFMC was the place for him (were from PA) and Citadel would be there in 2 years. If anything, this gives him a solid military footing as well as graduating from the Citadel as a 1LT.

The opportunity to go AD is there, you just have to stand out as an ECP cadet and have the PMS, Cadet Command at AC write a glowing report to send to the Sec of Army so that they GRFD number is revoked. Not a big deal because the CAD (call to active duty) or needs of the Army is always an option a bit down the road. Plus, he has his heart set on CBRN and would be at the mercy of big army if they wanted him elsewhere.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. We have admitted students day on 4 May coming up if you wanted any more info.

 

[Jcleppe]

Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".

I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?

If it's important to your son to have the chance of Active Duty, then he should think real hard about going ECP. While the paperwork, the recruiters, and the PMS may state that the opportunity is there, it's rare and depends on the year. Getting the GRFD Control number revoked is not easy, even with the recommendation of the PMS. The fine print says it's possible but it's often not probable. I talked to a cadet that was able to get their GRFD control number revoked, he had finished #1 in his class and was the only cadet to have the number revoked that year. CAD (call to active duty) is dependent on the year and the needs of the Army as well as what Army branch you are.

Once the cadet completes the 2 years in ECP and commission, they will start drilling in the Reserves/NG, they have 3 years to complete their 4 year degree. Until they complete their degree they will drill as a non branched 2LT since they will not attend BOLC until they finish their degree and graduate. What they do on drill will depend on the unit and what they want to do with a non branched 2LT. Depending on their birthday many ECP 2LTs start drilling at around 20 years old, which for a 2LT carries it's own issues, again a lot will depend on the unit they join.

While finishing their 4 year degree they will not be part of or participate in the school's ROTC program, they check in from time to time but that's it.

Just make sure your son does all the research and read past what the ECP schools tell him and whats written on the websites and recruiting information.

 

[k2rider]

I can't speak for all school but my son went to Boise State and was the 'Gold Bar Recruiter' upon graduating/commissioning. Once again, speaking only for Boise State but my son ended up extending 3 year scholarships offers to *EVERY* non-commissioned freshman cadet that came out all year and gave 100%, had a high enough PT score and the required GPA. I believe it was for 18 cadets in total. The opportunities exist for those willing to put in the work.

 

[QA1517]

Up until this week DS was hoping for a 4 year AROTC scholarship. Plan B was to still go to the state school of his choice, join ROTC, and try to impress enough to get a 3-year scholarship. We now know that he did not get the 4 year AROTC scholarship, and he was instead awarded the ECP scholarship. He is trying to decide if he should take it-- I think mainly he is drawn to taking the ECP because it sounds exciting to move to another state, he likes small schools, and likes that it is a "done deal".

I am encouraging him to talk to the ROO at his chosen state school before making the decision. Any other advice?

If it's important to your son to have the chance of Active Duty, then he should think real hard about going ECP. While the paperwork, the recruiters, and the PMS may state that the opportunity is there, it's rare and depends on the year. Getting the GRFD Control number revoked is not easy, even with the recommendation of the PMS. The fine print says it's possible but it's often not probable. I talked to a cadet that was able to get their GRFD control number revoked, he had finished #1 in his class and was the only cadet to have the number revoked that year. CAD (call to active duty) is dependent on the year and the needs of the Army as well as what Army branch you are.

Once the cadet completes the 2 years in ECP and commission, they will start drilling in the Reserves/NG, they have 3 years to complete their 4 year degree. Until they complete their degree they will drill as a non branched 2LT since they will not attend BOLC until they finish their degree and graduate. What they do on drill will depend on the unit and what they want to do with a non branched 2LT. Depending on their birthday many ECP 2LTs start drilling at around 20 years old, which for a 2LT carries it's own issues, again a lot will depend on the unit they join.

While finishing their 4 year degree they will not be part of or participate in the school's ROTC program, they check in from time to time but that's it.

Just make sure your son does all the research and read past what the ECP schools tell him and whats written on the websites and recruiting information.

What Jcleppe is right on the money. Each year can very and cadets get caught in the middle. That happened to DS who was an ECP cadet. after 1 year the army started downsizing and ECP's and OCS's are the first to get cut.

DS graduates from Engineer BOLC next week , almost 4 years after he commissioned (took 3 additional years to finish college after MJC). He was lucky enough to go to a guard unit that has utilized him as a full blown platoon leader from the very beginning and is still with that unit.

However, while you are recognized within the unit and carry the branch insignia, you are still non-branched and therefore do not receive any official officer reviews until you complete BOLC. The army has made a regulation now that you must have an officer review before you can be promoted to 1st LT. and you must have 4 reviews before you can be promoted to Captain. So he is a 3 year 2nd LT with still some time to go before receiving a promotion.

The pitch that ECP's are 2 years ahead of their peers is largely untrue today with the above regulation in place. They may have 2 additional years of time in service, but that is reserve time and different than active duty time.

Also, being able to compete for active duty and going active duty are different. If it comes down to the OML score, ECP's typically only have 1 summer to do any training to accumulate points for the OML.

 

[Jcleppe]

However, while you are recognized within the unit and carry the branch insignia, you are still non-branched and therefore do not receive any official officer reviews until you complete BOLC. The army has made a regulation now that you must have an officer review before you can be promoted to 1st LT. and you must have 4 reviews before you can be promoted to Captain. So he is a 3 year 2nd LT with still some time to go before receiving a promotion.

Glad you brought this up, I had forgotten about that regulation. I think a lot of applicants looking at ECP do not realize that there is this regulation in place and it probably does not come up in recruitment. This is good information for anyone to add the the research for anyone looking at ECP. Graduating with the 4 year degree as a 1LT is something that won't happen and it's good to know from someone that has had a DS go through the program. Thanks for the info.

 

[QA1517]

I would like to say that even though we tend to point out the negatives or drawbacks of the ECP, that it is not bashing the schools or recruiters. Schools and recruiters have their jobs though and that is to get people in the door, being truthful to questions asked is different than telling you everything they know.

There are some very good officers that have gone thru ECP and gone active duty. I know of some older ones. I know of some that graduated with my son. There are some that without the environment of a junior college would not have become officers at all. And if being a reserve officer is ok then go for it. Just be aware of the life after junior college.

 

[Momtomany]

My son was given the ECP scholarship (Ike Skelton) from the first board. He has wanted to go to a military school since he was little. SAT/ACT scores not high enough for SA's and chose to fill in for the ECP on the ROTC app. By doing so, it took him out of the running for the later boards. He was fine with that until getting into the Citadel, and started having second thoughts. He finally decided VFMC was the place for him (were from PA) and Citadel would be there in 2 years. If anything, this gives him a solid military footing as well as graduating from the Citadel as a 1LT.

The opportunity to go AD is there, you just have to stand out as an ECP cadet and have the PMS, Cadet Command at AC write a glowing report to send to the Sec of Army so that they GRFD number is revoked. Not a big deal because the CAD (call to active duty) or needs of the Army is always an option a bit down the road. Plus, he has his heart set on CBRN and would be at the mercy of big army if they wanted him elsewhere.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. We have admitted students day on 4 May coming up if you wanted any more info.

I know this post is a few years old, but wondering how your son made out at VFMC? And if, in the end, he was happy to have gone the Ike skeleton / ECP route?