Percentage of Graduates that obtain "Regular" Commissions

Impulsive

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Hi,
I am curious as to the percentages of ROTC Grads who Commission either in the Regular or Reserves in their chosen service? I ask because our one son applied for AROTC and was basically told "anyone who wanted it usually got Regular Army Commissions". Reading through these forums I am seeing much different comments throughout the different services for the percentage of grads who get to go "Regular" versus "Reserve" Commissions. Said DS is currently at WP and really enjoying the experience, but second DS is at a University (because of his chosen major) rather than an SA because the SA's only offered very limited studies in his chosen field. He is doing NROTC at his school and enjoys it and his fellow MIDNS. He is considering applying as a college applicant to a SA, but has asked the question "if I stay NROTC, will I still be able to get a Regular Commission"? I did not have an answer for him and was hoping someone here may? I was always under the impression that by its very name any ROTC Graduate would receive a "Reserve" Commission, even if selected for AD?
 
@Kinnem, Thanks, that's basically what AROTC also said. This will set my son's mind at ease, because his brother told him that some ROTC Grads elect to commission into the Guard or Reserves (usually to directly attend grad school). His NROTC Battalion has told him basically the same thing you said, although they did not clarify if reserves were an option.
 
@Kinnem, Thanks, that's basically what AROTC also said. This will set my son's mind at ease, because his brother told him that some ROTC Grads elect to commission into the Guard or Reserves (usually to directly attend grad school). His NROTC Battalion has told him basically the same thing you said, although they did not clarify if reserves were an option.
Well, just to be clear there is a difference in the type of commission (regular vs reserve) and active or reserve duty. AROTC doesn't guarantee active duty although everyone receives a regular commission. So some newly commissioned Army Officers (still regular commission) will go to the Reserves or the Guard. With NROTC, everyone goes active duty.
 
This information is interesting for Army. Years ago, most all ROTC commissions, even for those selected for an initial active duty tour, were initially as Reserve officers, except for Distinguished Military Students who could choose to accept a regular or reserve commission in return for an additional active duty stint. Even West Point graduates received an initial commission as a reserve officer. After initial tour of duty, you were then eligible for consideration as a regular officer. Would be interested to know when this changed. Thanks
 
@glen Well, if you look at the link I posted above you would see that for Navy it happened in 2005. O can't speak to Army but assume it was about the same time.
 
i always wondered what the R in ROTC really means. all the ROTC grads ive ever known commission into the regular full time military service for at least 4 years.
 
AR 601-100 spells this out: http://dopma-ropma.rand.org/pdf/AR-600-100.pdf

In short - since 2005 - all Active Duty Army Officers are Regular officers as opposed to the previous system in which there were Officers on Active Duty who were designated as RA , AUS or USAR-till 1996 all West Pointers and ROTC Distinguished Military Grads were commissioned as RA, and all the rest were commissioned USAR - (ie temporary help) even if they were on AD. To move from USAR to RA status your records had to go before a board for augmentation into the Regular Army. It was a holdover of a much earlier time . In 1996 they started commissioning everyone as USAR and then they would be augmented into the RA at the 5 year mark. That was pretty silly too - one more board for records to be reviewed. So the DOPMA of 2005 fixed this for all branches .

All Officers are not however on Active Duty - there are still Reserve Officers serving in the USAR and National Guard and a fair number of ROTC graduates still go directly into the Reserve components to fulfill their obligation - (some voluntarily and some having applied for but not receiving AD).
 
I think anyone going to NROTC and AFROTC commission as Active Duty in practice. The Air Force does now allow you to go into the reserves although not many do so as far as I know. My sons graduating class in 2018 has one person do so.
 
If so inclined it should not be to hard to come up with a close estimate. Per the Army Times the Army will need 6000 2nd Lts this year and 5900-5800 the next 2-3 years. One of the ROOs on this site probably knows how many scholarships were accepted last year. Minus the historical drop rate due to fitness, grades, conduct and just not a good fit we can come up with the number that make it graduation/commissioning. Now remove the number of folks that desire or are told to go NG and Reserve. And you now have your pool with whom your are competing against. I have to assume if you commission and want AD it is very likely your wish will be granted. At the rate junior officers are leaving your chance to make Capt. are well over 95%! If you are a pilot in the AF you are virtually guaranteed Major. This is a good time to be a junior officer.
 
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