ROTC Question Need Answer ASAP

A

army2021

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Hello. This is a long story and I can go into it publicly or privately if anyone wants the specifications but in general, for military purposes,can an AROTC Scholarship be deferred acceptance for one year. This is NOT for a gap year. To explain, I'd be going to OSUT for 19D Cav Scout following my high school graduation next summer. I will be applying to USMA and VMI, also for the AROTC Scholarship. However dates will conflict with VMI to where I'd be going a year late to there as you can't miss the first few weeks. If I win an AROTC Scholarship, and I end up going to VMI for the class of 22' rather than 21', can I work it out to get the scholarship starting a year delayed since the reason is I'll be doing BCT and AIT and can't go, or would I lose the scholarship completely? Thanks very much for your time and response, have a nice day!
 
Have you and your parents already signed the papers for you to enlist in the Army?
 
Signed papers yes, contract no. Been to MEPS a solid like 4 times. There were problems and was supposed to do split op but ended up getting screwed over. But long story short, will be in a week because everything is finally straight
 
I think your plan is terrible, but you have to find your own path. If you want to enlist first, look into SMP or Green to Gold. Just don't string along a ROO or take a scholarship slot away from a focused applicant.

Hopefully you'll get the scholarship. Good luck!
 
The issue isn't deferring. The problem I see with your plan is the fact that you can't be in the Guard/Reserves and be a scholarship recipient at the same time. There's no reason whatsoever to go to 19d OSUT if you're holding a scholarship.

The only exception is if you accept a GRFD scholarship, but those aren't typically awarded to high schoolers and would prevent you from serving on active duty. I think you need to do some more research.

A word to the wise - don't let your recruiter rush you into a decision about enlisting. The army will always be there. Explore your options first, before signing anything.
 
Agree that there is no need to rush to enlist. Apply for the AROTC scholarship and apply for West Point and see what happens.
 
JChaulklin said:
Hello. This is a long story and I can go into it publicly or privately if anyone wants the specifications but in general, for military purposes,can an AROTC Scholarship be deferred acceptance for one year. This is NOT for a gap year. To explain, I'd be going to OSUT for 19D Cav Scout following my high school graduation next summer. I will be applying to USMA and VMI, also for the AROTC Scholarship. However dates will conflict with VMI to where I'd be going a year late to there as you can't miss the first few weeks. If I win an AROTC Scholarship, and I end up going to VMI for the class of 22' rather than 21', can I work it out to get the scholarship starting a year delayed since the reason is I'll be doing BCT and AIT and can't go, or would I lose the scholarship completely? Thanks very much for your time and response, have a nice day!
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You need to decide if you want to be enlisted in the guard or an AROTC Scholarship cadet. Pick one route and commit 100% to it. You're currently trying to go down two separate routes, one of which is completely unnecessary if you have a scholarship.

As far as you trying to do split-option and being screwed over, the only person that can screw you in an enlistment is yourself. If you don't like what's presented to you, don't sign the papers plain and simple. Why is this such a long story?
 
I guess to further explain, earlier this year, like January, I was enlisting 11B to get extra training, boost resume, somewhat enlisted experience, etc. Also I believed it'd help my packet for USMA. And what I was talking about the screwed over, a recruiter submitted a wrong form disclosing an in injury that delayed everything with waivers and BS until literally last week when an appeal finally worked. Also some people at MEPS mishandled my file and put it to the wrong people, once again it's a long story but short version is a bunch of stuff out of my control slowed me down. To clarify, I don't have an AROTC Scholarship, I was planning on applying for one. I thought if you weren't contracted as SMP and you won the scholarship you could accept it and just not do SMP and still drill or however so it works out.
That's the thing is that I have actually been researching this stuff for years, my whole goal is to commission as an officer into combat arms, been that way for as long as I can remember. But one plan since split op didn't work out that was proposes to me was that I take the first year off after high school, I'd be doing OSUT for 19D (chose that over 11B in his scenario because longer training which would be better because taking off from school), drilling and doing a lot of training, then most likely going to VMI the upcoming year. The logic behind this is idea was that it'd be a huge OML bump, especially being cav scout even in non wartime there's still a halfway decent amount of chance to deploy and can go with units other than yours, so that way would possibly have an enlisted deployment under my belt (and I know that'd delay a commission another year), and it'd pay 100% for my tuition from the TA offered, not including drill pay, GI bill, kicker, etc. So monetarily it appears the same as arotc scholarship as it only pays tuition. That's what I was wondering is how that scholarship would work around it and if so I'd choose to pay R&B over tuition.
To explain why I'd be willing to delay a commission 1-2 years, from what all I've heard, the best officers are previous enlisted. I don't mean to disrespect anyone AD if saying NG is previous enlisted technically, not sure the political correctness with that, but nonetheless it'd be giving me all of that experience and especially if I et to deploy I believe leading a combat deployment as a PL years from now for example I'd be much more in tune and know what I'm doing. Also all of this counts as enlisted time, so utd be several years in the military by the time I do commission, so I figure if I go career mil, then over the years having that extra time making me promote faster would help me catch up, also would be making more at each rank because of that. Lastly, that is just a huge OML bump from what I've heard which I like. I want to branch into infantry which is competitive so I'm sure some of you can see where I'm coming from. Also having been exposed to that environment of cav scout OSUT which is very rigorous from what I've heard, would probably be a great prep for VMI. Apparently a rat average GPA is like a 2.3! But I believe by already having gone through a somewhat similar or to an extent environment, I'd adjust easy and be able to focus on my studies and have an easier time academically then most of the other incoming rats.
So I hope this shows that it is something thought out. Hit me up with more questions, comments, and critism. Thanks for all responses, as you can see I have perhaps one of the biggest decisions of my life to make so I would love to hear what everyone thinks. Take care and have a nice day (sorry it was so log just wanted to show my thoughts and actual reasoning rather than "Ohh my recruiter said it'll be cool," this was my own ideas, only used recruiter to find statistical information and be able to enlist so I didn't let him sway me).
 
Ok, I stopped reading about a third of the way through that wall of text, but I think you overestimate the impact of a year in the National Guard on both your OML score and your future as an Army officer.

There are several paths to become an Army officer, but they are each distinct and you need to choose which one you follow - not an odd mishmash of all of them.

Either apply for and get an ROTC scholarship, then attend your selected school or

Enlist / try for an SMP contract upon arrival at school or

Attend school without a scholarship and try to secure one while there.

Whatever you do, signing an enlisted contract as a junior in high school is both unnecessary and ill-advised if your goal is to be an active duty officer. Everyone here is telling you this is a bad plan. You need to do more research.

The ability to assess multiple courses of action and choose the one most likely to lead to a positive outcome is a skill you'll need as an officer.
 
I also believe you're over estimating the benefit of enlisted duty regarding VMI. The biggest impact the RAT line has on GPA is things you do during that time that take away study time. Having prior military experience may help some with uniform preps, but has no bearing on the mandatory evolutions you will attend that will eat your time.
 
My daughter won a 3 year AD AROTC scholarship. About a week before graduation she came home all excited about wanting to join the National Guard TODAY! She also started spewing off all of the benefits of being in the Guard while in college. My head was spinning. A National Guard recruiter was at her school that day and saw her Army ROTC T-shirt and started talking to her... Long story short, that lasted about 24 hours, and she has not mentioned it again. All of the benefits he tried to throw at her, she actually already has with her scholarship. BTW, she did tell him she would have to talk to her ROO, and he said he would contact him "right away" and get back to her....she has never heard back from the recruiter.

Recruiters recruit, it is what they do...
 
JChaulklin said:
I guess to further explain, earlier this year, like January, I was enlisting 11B to get extra training, boost resume, somewhat enlisted experience, etc. Also I believed it'd help my packet for USMA. And what I was talking about the screwed over, a recruiter submitted a wrong form disclosing an in injury that delayed everything with waivers and BS until literally last week when an appeal finally worked. Also some people at MEPS mishandled my file and put it to the wrong people, once again it's a long story but short version is a bunch of stuff out of my control slowed me down. To clarify, I don't have an AROTC Scholarship, I was planning on applying for one. I thought if you weren't contracted as SMP and you won the scholarship you could accept it and just not do SMP and still drill or however so it works out.
That's the thing is that I have actually been researching this stuff for years, my whole goal is to commission as an officer into combat arms, been that way for as long as I can remember. But one plan since split op didn't work out that was proposes to me was that I take the first year off after high school, I'd be doing OSUT for 19D (chose that over 11B in his scenario because longer training which would be better because taking off from school), drilling and doing a lot of training, then most likely going to VMI the upcoming year. The logic behind this is idea was that it'd be a huge OML bump, especially being cav scout even in non wartime there's still a halfway decent amount of chance to deploy and can go with units other than yours, so that way would possibly have an enlisted deployment under my belt (and I know that'd delay a commission another year), and it'd pay 100% for my tuition from the TA offered, not including drill pay, GI bill, kicker, etc. So monetarily it appears the same as arotc scholarship as it only pays tuition. That's what I was wondering is how that scholarship would work around it and if so I'd choose to pay R&B over tuition.
To explain why I'd be willing to delay a commission 1-2 years, from what all I've heard, the best officers are previous enlisted. I don't mean to disrespect anyone AD if saying NG is previous enlisted technically, not sure the political correctness with that, but nonetheless it'd be giving me all of that experience and especially if I et to deploy I believe leading a combat deployment as a PL years from now for example I'd be much more in tune and know what I'm doing. Also all of this counts as enlisted time, so utd be several years in the military by the time I do commission, so I figure if I go career mil, then over the years having that extra time making me promote faster would help me catch up, also would be making more at each rank because of that. Lastly, that is just a huge OML bump from what I've heard which I like. I want to branch into infantry which is competitive so I'm sure some of you can see where I'm coming from. Also having been exposed to that environment of cav scout OSUT which is very rigorous from what I've heard, would probably be a great prep for VMI. Apparently a rat average GPA is like a 2.3! But I believe by already having gone through a somewhat similar or to an extent environment, I'd adjust easy and be able to focus on my studies and have an easier time academically then most of the other incoming rats.
So I hope this shows that it is something thought out. Hit me up with more questions, comments, and critism. Thanks for all responses, as you can see I have perhaps one of the biggest decisions of my life to make so I would love to hear what everyone thinks. Take care and have a nice day (sorry it was so log just wanted to show my thoughts and actual reasoning rather than "Ohh my recruiter said it'll be cool," this was my own ideas, only used recruiter to find statistical information and be able to enlist so I didn't let him sway me).
Click to expand...

As far as paying the "full ride", research schools that kick in room and board. My DD won a 3 year AD, the school she is going to pays room and board and the stipend for all 4 years. She also got a chunk of academic money, making the first year affordable, and then covered 100% after that. If she had a 4 year, she would be a full ride plus her stipend.

Another thing I will say, is where is the "best officer's were previous enlisted" coming from. My daughter got fed that too. It has come from friends and family (good friends and family), who were enlisted and don't love the idea that kids can come out of college and lead them. It is all perspective, there are very good officers from all the paths to an officer. My FAVORITE QUOTE and I have used it before by Abraham Lincoln, "Whatever you are, be a good one." Pick a path and follow it. If you want to be an officer in the Reserves or the Guard, join the Reserves or the Guard, if you want to be AD, then another path might be wiser. Good luck in your future and your decisions. I feel like you are set on a path tha this very complicated and has a lot of "can go wrong" and not a lot of "can go right." Try to think simple and I think you will be fine.
 
JChaulklin said:
I guess to further explain, earlier this year, like January, I was enlisting 11B to get extra training, boost resume, somewhat enlisted experience, etc. Also I believed it'd help my packet for USMA. And what I was talking about the screwed over, a recruiter submitted a wrong form disclosing an in injury that delayed everything with waivers and BS until literally last week when an appeal finally worked. Also some people at MEPS mishandled my file and put it to the wrong people, once again it's a long story but short version is a bunch of stuff out of my control slowed me down. To clarify, I don't have an AROTC Scholarship, I was planning on applying for one. I thought if you weren't contracted as SMP and you won the scholarship you could accept it and just not do SMP and still drill or however so it works out.
That's the thing is that I have actually been researching this stuff for years, my whole goal is to commission as an officer into combat arms, been that way for as long as I can remember. But one plan since split op didn't work out that was proposes to me was that I take the first year off after high school, I'd be doing OSUT for 19D (chose that over 11B in his scenario because longer training which would be better because taking off from school), drilling and doing a lot of training, then most likely going to VMI the upcoming year. The logic behind this is idea was that it'd be a huge OML bump, especially being cav scout even in non wartime there's still a halfway decent amount of chance to deploy and can go with units other than yours, so that way would possibly have an enlisted deployment under my belt (and I know that'd delay a commission another year), and it'd pay 100% for my tuition from the TA offered, not including drill pay, GI bill, kicker, etc. So monetarily it appears the same as arotc scholarship as it only pays tuition. That's what I was wondering is how that scholarship would work around it and if so I'd choose to pay R&B over tuition.
To explain why I'd be willing to delay a commission 1-2 years, from what all I've heard, the best officers are previous enlisted. I don't mean to disrespect anyone AD if saying NG is previous enlisted technically, not sure the political correctness with that, but nonetheless it'd be giving me all of that experience and especially if I et to deploy I believe leading a combat deployment as a PL years from now for example I'd be much more in tune and know what I'm doing. Also all of this counts as enlisted time, so utd be several years in the military by the time I do commission, so I figure if I go career mil, then over the years having that extra time making me promote faster would help me catch up, also would be making more at each rank because of that. Lastly, that is just a huge OML bump from what I've heard which I like. I want to branch into infantry which is competitive so I'm sure some of you can see where I'm coming from. Also having been exposed to that environment of cav scout OSUT which is very rigorous from what I've heard, would probably be a great prep for VMI. Apparently a rat average GPA is like a 2.3! But I believe by already having gone through a somewhat similar or to an extent environment, I'd adjust easy and be able to focus on my studies and have an easier time academically then most of the other incoming rats.
So I hope this shows that it is something thought out. Hit me up with more questions, comments, and critism. Thanks for all responses, as you can see I have perhaps one of the biggest decisions of my life to make so I would love to hear what everyone thinks. Take care and have a nice day (sorry it was so log just wanted to show my thoughts and actual reasoning rather than "Ohh my recruiter said it'll be cool," this was my own ideas, only used recruiter to find statistical information and be able to enlist so I didn't let him sway me).
Click to expand...

You're misinformed about most of the above. If your goal is to commission as an officer that should be your focus. 100% no exceptions. Joining the guard because you need help paying for school, intend to stay guard, or don't want to be an officer are good reasons. Joining the guard because 19D sounds cool and someone somewhere told you that you'd deploy (that ain't happening as SMP) are not.

I'll be completely honest with you and please don't think I'm anti-guard, it's a good gig if that's what you want. But nobody is going to rank you over someone else because you went to basic training because nobody cares. Going to basic training and then joining ROTC is not the prior service experience that helps someone become a good officer. You overestimate how much weight soldiers put into trivial things like this. Every enlisted soldier has been to basic training, that was the very beginning of their career. You going to basic training and then joining ROTC, well that makes basic training the peak of your enlisted career. Soldiers want officers that lead them, care for them and take care of them, if you do that they don't give a damn where you came from.

The army isn't going anywhere, don't limit future you's opportunities in it now

Edit: I only read half your post and none of the posts between yours and mine so sorry if I repeated what's been said.
 
Dckc88 said:
As far as paying the "full ride", research schools that kick in room and board. My DD won a 3 year AD, the school she is going to pays room and board and the stipend for all 4 years. She also got a chunk of academic money, making the first year affordable, and then covered 100% after that. If she had a 4 year, she would be a full ride plus her stipend.

Another thing I will say, is where is the "best officer's were previous enlisted" coming from. My daughter got fed that too. It has come from friends and family (good friends and family), who were enlisted and don't love the idea that kids can come out of college and lead them. It is all perspective, there are very good officers from all the paths to an officer. My FAVORITE QUOTE and I have used it before by Abraham Lincoln, "Whatever you are, be a good one." Pick a path and follow it. If you want to be an officer in the Reserves or the Guard, join the Reserves or the Guard, if you want to be AD, then another path might be wiser. Good luck in your future and your decisions. I feel like you are set on a path tha this very complicated and has a lot of "can go wrong" and not a lot of "can go right." Try to think simple and I think you will be fine.
Click to expand...

I've heard the same line. Funny thing, I've worked with awesome officers who were prior enlisted and absolutely embarrassingly bad officers who were previously enlisted. The same with those who came straight from school. It's a line recruiters use a lot because it works. Kids want to be the best when they step in front of soldiers and think being a soldier previously will make them the best. Sadly, it doesn't work that way
 
-Bull- said:
I've heard the same line. Funny thing, I've worked with awesome officers who were prior enlisted and absolutely embarrassingly bad officers who were previously enlisted. The same with those who came straight from school. It's a line recruiters use a lot because it works. Kids want to be the best when they step in front of soldiers and think being a soldier previously will make them the best. Sadly, it doesn't work that way
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I hate the trap "being enlisted will make you a better officer" speech. That's the equivalent of saying being a nurse will make you a better physician...

Being an officer doesn't automatically make you an expert in your field, but you're trained to know "what right looks like." You're trained to know if your Joes are doing their job.

I have good NCOs that know more about operations than I. I'm OK with that. It's their job to make sure I make informed decisions.
 
I can understand the theory behind what they are saying mostly because of what PsyD said about nurses. Some may consider you a better officer because "you've been in the trenches" but in the long run it doesn't guarantee the person will be a good leader. I echo what others are saying, pick a solid path and commit to it, that's a sign of a good leader, being decisive.
Whatever you decide go all in and I'm sure you will be successful!
 
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