Post ROTC Branch Transfer?

[forumjunkie]

If you do ROTC and use some scholarship money, after graduation, is there a way to transfer to another branch?

The college does not have an ROTC program for the branch in question.

 

[5Day]

It is possible, but I would not count on it.
See this post: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/cross-commission.48349/
Specifically the post by @AROTC Parent and read the regulation that they linked in their post.

You likely just lost the bet - sorry.

Cross commissioning is remotely possible, both from the Service Academies and ROTC. However it is remote. http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r145_1.pdf Read section V starting on page 44.

From the SA it is possible too. An AFA Cadet is commissioning into Marines in May. He is an olympic shooter at the AFA.

A small part of the Regulation...
6–34. Appointment in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Marine Corps (other than Regular Marine Corps)
Graduating Army ROTC cadets may be released from the Army to accept appointment in a component of the USAF or USMC if one of the following criteria is met: a. The cadet has served 12 months or more of active duty in the Service concerned. b. One or both of the cadet’s parents are currently on active duty or a retired member of that Service. c. The cadet’s spouse is a member of that Service.

Note this does not indicate the officer is commissioned in the Army and AF/USMC at the same time.

Once commissioned, the regulations regarding Interservice Transfer apply.

 

[AROTC Parent]

As 5Day indicated read the regulation attached. In general from AR145-1: "6–30. Basic policy ROTC graduates will not normally be released from the terms of their contracts for appointment in another Service. The release, if granted, will be conditional on acceptance by the requesting Service. The release will not be effective before the cadet completes the Army ROTC Program. However, the release should occur before requirements for a baccalaureate degree are completed. Scholarship students will not be released to other Services."

The exceptions listed in that regulation require risks that may not be 'worth it'. For example you/ds/dd would have to commission into the Army Reserves to go Regular Marine Corps. If denied you would now be a USAR Army Officer.

My opinion - If your happiness and dreams depend on a commission in another service do not join Army ROTC with a scholarship. Find an alternate commissioning source in the service of choice. OCS, NUPOC, PLC ......

Does the ROTC/Service of preference have a cross enrollment agreement with another local university?

 

[forumjunkie]

I am not sure that DYP (dear young Person, not my own) feels that strongly about branch. I was told a couple of years ago that many army ROTC were not getting an active duty spot, but being placed in Reserves, so if DYP truly wanted to serve full time this could be a problem.