Personal Questions Regarding ROTC

[tnvr]

Hey guys, I'm looking to enroll in ROTC in the college I'm going to however I'm just concerned as a non-scholarship what are my chances of getting a contract into active-duty?

• Does anyone have a rough estimate to what the retention rate is for MS2, MS3, MS4? Do a lot of people drop out? And if so, why?

• Also as a non-scholarship participant of AROTC in my college, what should I do to ensure my place in active duty slot/ getting contracted?

• Do you have any additional information to what I should major in / what GPA I should have, etc.

I'd highly appreciate any feedback, and information towards these questions.

 

[AJC]

The answer to all three is if you bust your ass and do well you will have nothing to worry about.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Does anyone have a rough estimate to what the retention rate is for MS2, MS3, MS4? Do a lot of people drop out? And if so, why?

From what my DS says, the biggest drops are MS1 and MS2, for obvious reasons. After contracting (MS3 and above), the retention is higher unless the cadet has trouble academically or struggles with APFT. Of course, a few are dis-enrolled due to criminal or disciplinary issues too.

Also as a non-scholarship participant of AROTC in my college, what should I do to ensure my place in active duty slot/ getting contracted?

Exactly what AJC said. Bust your rear end by doing the following:

• Get great grades
• Max the APFT
• Participate in AROTC Extra curricular events.
• Set an example for others.

Where you fall on the National OML will dictate Active Duty or not.
Here is a link to the formula for the OML calculation.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/fy19-army-rotc-oml-model.57665/

Do you have any additional information to what I should major in / what GPA I should have, etc.

Major in what really interests you. The Army doesn't care what you major in so long as it is not basket weaving, etc. I have heard that STEM majors do get some extra points, but in my opinion, it is not worth pursuing a major that you lack interest in.

You will do better academically if you LIKE what you are studying.

 

[rotcadet2021]

I can only answer these questions regarding Army ROTC. I just finished my MS1 year.

- Specific to by battalion, you'll see the largest drop in class size between MS1 and MS2 year. Those who are there MS3 year are already on scholarship/contracted.
- I'm a non-scholarship cadet, and still competing for an on-campus scholarship. Don't let that worry you. If you put the time in and maintian a high PT score, high GPA, and stay involved, you will get contracted.
- As for majors, there are cadets in the battalion ranging from interior design majors to computer science majors. The Army could care less, just always make sure you're picking a school with a strong program for your major, as you need a degree to comission.

Let me know if you have anymore questions that I could try and answer.

 

[U Idaho Army ROTC]

The selection rate for active duty is extremely high. Over the last few years there have been roughly 300-350 AROTC cadets nation-wide who wanted active duty but were not selected (or were selected as alternates). It is entirely possible that the math changes on that by the time your accessions board rolls around, but regardless I would say your chances of being selected for active duty are extremely high unless you happen to rank among the bottom 300-350 cadets nationwide (out of 3-4000 who want to go active duty). The largest barrier to being selected for active duty would be if you contracted on a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) / Minuteman scholarship. If you are 'non-scholarship' because you are already a member of the ARNG/USAR and have contracted non-scholarship you are good to go. If you are calling yourself 'non-scholarship' simply because you haven't (yet) been offered a campus-based scholarship, just make sure you know what type of scholarship you are accepting when/if that time comes. Unless you're already ARNG/USAR, or are currently working with an ARNG recruiter to obtain a minuteman/GRFD scholarship, you'll have an excellent chance of being selected for active duty assuming you are not really struggling academically, physically, or ethically.

 

[tnvr]

I can only answer these questions regarding Army ROTC. I just finished my MS1 year.

- Specific to by battalion, you'll see the largest drop in class size between MS1 and MS2 year. Those who are there MS3 year are already on scholarship/contracted.
- I'm a non-scholarship cadet, and still competing for an on-campus scholarship. Don't let that worry you. If you put the time in and maintian a high PT score, high GPA, and stay involved, you will get contracted.
- As for majors, there are cadets in the battalion ranging from interior design majors to computer science majors. The Army could care less, just always make sure you're picking a school with a strong program for your major, as you need a degree to comission.

Let me know if you have anymore questions that I could try and answer.

Yeah one question, out of your class why did most quit or leave your ROTC Battalion?

 

[rotcadet2021]

I can only answer these questions regarding Army ROTC. I just finished my MS1 year.

- Specific to by battalion, you'll see the largest drop in class size between MS1 and MS2 year. Those who are there MS3 year are already on scholarship/contracted.
- I'm a non-scholarship cadet, and still competing for an on-campus scholarship. Don't let that worry you. If you put the time in and maintian a high PT score, high GPA, and stay involved, you will get contracted.
- As for majors, there are cadets in the battalion ranging from interior design majors to computer science majors. The Army could care less, just always make sure you're picking a school with a strong program for your major, as you need a degree to comission.

Let me know if you have anymore questions that I could try and answer.

Yeah one question, out of your class why did most quit or leave your ROTC Battalion?

Most can't handle PT and drop out because they can't pass their PT test. If you put the effort in it is an easy thing to overcome.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Do a lot of people drop out? And if so, why?

I asked my DS (rising MS-4) last night the "why" question. This is his email reply:

"The 1s and 2s that quit usually weren't all that committed to the program to begin with. They were testing the waters. The reasons they would quit would probably be because of having to wake up early in all honesty lol."​

 

[U Idaho Army ROTC]

Do a lot of people drop out? And if so, why?

I asked my DS (rising MS-4) last night the "why" question. This is his email reply:

"The 1s and 2s that quit usually weren't all that committed to the program to begin with. They were testing the waters. The reasons they would quit would probably be because of having to wake up early in all honesty lol."​

Ding ding ding

I frequently have prospective cadets and their parents express concern about whether being a cadet will be too big of a commitment, and therefore a detriment to their GPAs / academic success. My answer is always as follows: Sir/Ma'am, being a cadet will only improve your / your son/daughter's academic success. Our program provides them structure and there is a reason why cadets/midshipmen across the country outperform their peers, and it isn't only due to talent. I then ask the prospect when they study. The most common answer (unfortunately) is that they really don't study. The next most common answer is at night. 'Exactly,' I say. In my life I've known one person who wakes up at 0500 to study, a fraternity brother of mine 20 years ago. He had the 2nd highest MCAT score in the state of Ohio that year and is now a brain surgeon. I will ask you/your DD/DS to wake up at 0500 three times a week to make their bodies and minds stronger. Those three days they will start their productivity at 0500 rather than 0900/1000/1100/1200. Three nights a week they will have definite reason to get to bed at a reasonable hour rather than doing the many unproductive things that college students do at night . While some of our MSIs and IIs drop because they've determined the military just isn't for them, most drop because they don't like to wake up early and/or they don't like to exercise. If either apply, being a military officer is going to be a little rough (I still don't like getting up early either); if both apply being a military officer is a terrible career choice anyway.

 

[Animal 44]

Completely agree, my DS just finished his MS1 year. He said the biggest challenge is getting up at 0430 every morning. He is part of the Ranger company so they meet 5days per week and do extra learning in the morning. The real challenge is not getting up, it is being disciplined enough to go to bed at a reasonable time while everyone around you is just getting wound up.