My son has completed 1 year (rising Ms3) of his 3 year national ROTC scholarship. He is beginning to think because of his major (engineering) that he may want to choose either National Guard or Army Reserve to fulfill his service contract. We have read his contract. Just want to clarify that both are options. Also would he owe 6 or 8 years?
Service requirement for ROTC 3 year scholarship
- Thread starter Luflash6
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pa-outdoorsman
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DS is a 3-year scholarship cadet.
My understanding (confirm with cadre) is that you can switch your contract to Reserve or Guard any time up until branching (or whatever process comes before branching where you're doing your interviews and selecting your desired branches). In fact, the ROO at The Citadel told us during my son's recruitment process that its basically filling out one form to convert the scholarship to GRFD. So, I doubt that'll be an issue if your son decides he'd rather go Reserve or Guard than active.
As for commitment, I believe it would be 8 years Guard or Reserve. I know it seems like there should be a somewhat lesser requirement for someone who gets a 3-year scholarship vs. a 4-year, but I don't believe there is.
Best of luck to your son. My sense is that this is a "good" problem, as he's probably anticipating some attractive civilian career opportunities putting that engineering degree to good use!
FWIW, I don't think there's really any wrong path here. Just making the most of the one you choose. My dad did ROTC at Purdue, spent two years in active duty (must have been different back then) and then like another 25 in the Reserve, retiring as a LTC. He had a successful corporate career, a successful part-time military career and earned a great military pension with awesome Tricare benefits that are still taking care of him today at age 90. If your son does ultimately go Guard or Reserve, encourage him to stay in for 20 and earn those retirement benefits. They really are terrific!
My understanding (confirm with cadre) is that you can switch your contract to Reserve or Guard any time up until branching (or whatever process comes before branching where you're doing your interviews and selecting your desired branches). In fact, the ROO at The Citadel told us during my son's recruitment process that its basically filling out one form to convert the scholarship to GRFD. So, I doubt that'll be an issue if your son decides he'd rather go Reserve or Guard than active.
As for commitment, I believe it would be 8 years Guard or Reserve. I know it seems like there should be a somewhat lesser requirement for someone who gets a 3-year scholarship vs. a 4-year, but I don't believe there is.
Best of luck to your son. My sense is that this is a "good" problem, as he's probably anticipating some attractive civilian career opportunities putting that engineering degree to good use!
FWIW, I don't think there's really any wrong path here. Just making the most of the one you choose. My dad did ROTC at Purdue, spent two years in active duty (must have been different back then) and then like another 25 in the Reserve, retiring as a LTC. He had a successful corporate career, a successful part-time military career and earned a great military pension with awesome Tricare benefits that are still taking care of him today at age 90. If your son does ultimately go Guard or Reserve, encourage him to stay in for 20 and earn those retirement benefits. They really are terrific!
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It’s 8 in the Guard or Reserves. I would suggest not worrying about GRFD. Currently graduating seniors have no problem requesting Guard or Reserves and getting it when they go through the branching process. The other potential drawback of GRFD is your Cadet will have to start drilling and participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program. Half my graduates most years are engineers and about half of them go guard or reserves each year. We had the number 27 Cadet in the nation commission and go Guard this year.
The flip side is that a 4 year active duty stint goes by pretty quick, if he does go active duty. The management experience he’ll add to his resume during those 4 years will be a value added, not wasted time.
The flip side is that a 4 year active duty stint goes by pretty quick, if he does go active duty. The management experience he’ll add to his resume during those 4 years will be a value added, not wasted time.
USA Retired Dad
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2 cents.... Active and 4 year is my recommendation in most scenarios. 8 years reserve can be tough. You are starting your civilian career and trying to get ahead in corporate America while having to miss work for drill, training, and yearly orders. I was Active and then Reserves and I would be lying if I did not say the Reserves hurt my civilian career progression. Most employers are very hesitant to rely on someone in senior level positions that has the risk of being deployed. Many companies were burned post 9/11 when folks were deployed 18 months and they are not allowed by law to backfill the position.
vmi1991fromva
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What ultimately led to my son to go National Guard was that he was an engineer and wanted to be guaranteed to go Corps of Engineers. Guard was the only way to do that. If you go active, they consider your preferences but take you where they want you. I talked to numerous sources, brother rats, etc. They all told me Guard if he wanted something that lined up with his professional ambitions. My son felt the same way. The engineering firm that he works for is VMI led. They have several that are in the reserves or guard. So they are used to deployments, etc. By law, the company can’t discriminate and it looks really good to have reservist and guardsmen on your payroll as far as receiving contracts, etc. 8 years is a lot, agreed, but if you can get to 20 years, the benefits look really good. My son was a 3 year ROTC scholarship, and has an 8 year Guard requirement. Plenty of his brother rats went active, not many engineers though. He did really good at camp but stayed with the Guard due to the job offer. He looks forward to serving in the Guard and that what he does in the Guard will align with what he does at work and the skills he acquires. Pros and Cons with any choice, but great place to be in either way.