ROTC while getting Masters

[Victor]

I was just accepted into a Masters program at Georgetown. I've always had the desire to serve, but to be frank, was to fat graduating undergrad to serve. Now being in better shape, I want to commit to serving my country before getting to old. I will be 26 when school starts this September; 28 at graduation.

ROTC makes sense because I am very career focused and want to minimize my time outside of the workforce. After completing all training I would like to join the Army Reserve. The MOSs that interest me are Financial Manager, Military Intelligence and Transportation Officer. So my questions for the Calguns Community are:

1) Does the Army guarantee ROTC cadets an MOS? Unit location?

2) If I were to be awarded a GRFD scholarship and was drilling as an SMP participant, would I be deployable?

3) If I join the school's ROTC program without taking a scholarship will I be eligible for any student loan repayment assistance?

4) If anyone has had one of the jobs listed above, what were your duties during drills and deployments?

Thanks you in advance.

[MRX9989]

I'm not a product of ROTC, but I've worked with quite a few who are...

1) As I understand it, your branch is determined by taking into account your academic performance, personal preference, ROTC performance, and the needs of the Army.

2) You cannot be deployed while in ROTC, regardless of any other status.

3) Not sure.

4) I am a transportation officer in the Cal Guard. Your duties will consist of supervising your platoon along with your Platoon Sergeant, planning unit and training activities with your commander, along with misc. duties as assigned.

The bottom line is you have to be prepared to be a professional, competent and vocal leader. If you have any kind of fear of public speaking it will become very apparent. You'll owe those under your command no less, and once you are pinned there is no going back. ROTC will help you achieve all of the above. I HIGHLY recommend doing SMP or enlisting first. Going through basic is a great way to get introduced to the Army and will make you a better Cadet (I went through BCT as a 24-year-old college graduate).

Also, I'd highly recommend introducing yourself to the recruiting officer at your school's ROTC. They can provide a lot of additional information and are used to dealing with civilians.

[emilio]

i've neither been in ROTC nor studied for a masters, but from everything i've heard from friends & family who have been through grad school...

are you sure you'll have the time?

Georgetown is no correspondence school!

- emilio

[dogg007]

I don't think they give out ROTC scholarships for master's students. if you already have a b.a., you are already qualified to go to OCS, so they are not going to pay for something that they don't need from you. If I'm not mistaken, ROTC participation, with or without a scholie, is for undergrads only.

[Victor]

Emilio, I'm used to working 60 hours a week and am good at time management. I will make it work.

Dogg, everything I've read indicates that grad students with two years of school remaining are eligible.

[Victor]

MRX, thanks for the background. PM heading your way.

[dogg007]

that's interesting. I am mistaken...

[bruce.r.martin]

I was enlisted in the guard as a Cannon Crew member and and commissioned in the active army as a Transportation Officer.

1) Does the Army guarantee ROTC cadets an MOS? Unit location?

No, it depends on your GPA, your participation, and your evaluations at LDAC. GPA is about 50% of it. If you are guard or reserve, then it depends on if your state and availability. NH is a huge Field artillery state, so there are plenty of slots and chance to advance. Where we have one company of infantry, so there are limited slots for LTs.

2) If I were to be awarded a GRFD scholarship and was drilling as an SMP participant, would I be deployable?
No, though i have volunteered for State Active Duty missions. IE assisted police or fire in extreme needs.

3) If I join the school's ROTC program without taking a scholarship will I be eligible for any student loan repayment assistance?

ROTC might offer you something, but i dont think so, if you join the guard and go to BCT and AIT then the guard might offer you something

Go to your local guard or reserve recruiter tell them what you want, then go to your ROTC office and tell them what you want. Each state and ROTC program is different.

Hope this helps,
Bruce

[MRX9989]

Also, ROTC will most likely start you at the MS3 level because your degree program won't be the typical four year bachelor's that most Cadets undertake.

If you don't end up enlisting first, they send you to a four week "basic training light" to get you up to speed with the senior Cadets. I also believe that you will have to have a passing Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on record with your ROTC before shipping out to this course.

As the poster above stated, it might be really hard balancing your course work with ROTC. Make sure that they are fully aware of your situation and goals before contracting. A lot of grad students and/or people with full time jobs chose to just go through BCT and OCS because this tends to work better around tight schedules.

[steelrain82]

Do you have to enlist/commission to do the ROTC program?

[MRX9989]

Possibly, depending on at what point during your education you enter the program. You can participate in the first two years of ROTC with no commitment to the Army. If you wish to continue after that, you will contract with the Army to serve as an officer upon your graduation. If you enroll in ROTC during your junior year or later, you will have to contract.

You can also enlist in the Army while attending ROTC and drill with a National Guard or Reserve unit while attending school. I believe that this is the the best route because your host unit will usually have you shadow an officer in their duties, which is a great way to learn about the job.

[steelrain82]

Oh that sucks. I just wanted to do it for fun.

[dogg007]

Oh that sucks. I just wanted to do it for fun.

as a student, I don't think they'll deny you the ability to enroll in their classes, as long as you meet the prerequisites.

If you want to do it just for fun and get paid, look at the Marine Corps PLC program. No commitment to take a commission. Drop out at anytime, either during the training, or once you get back.

[WW2Buff]

If you don't end up enlisting first, they send you to a four week "basic training light" to get you up to speed with the senior Cadets. I also believe that you will have to have a passing Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on record with your ROTC before shipping out to this course.

That's what I was thinking. You may be able to do it if you go to LTC (Leaders Training Course) the summer before hand. I could ask the admissions councilor for my ROTC unit if you haven't figured out whether or not you still can.

[QQQ]

Georgetown! That's my alma mater! HOYA SAXA

Might I ask what program you were accepted into? I got in there for grad school too but after undergrad I just couldn't afford it! Sadness.

Depending on your program you may be able to get a scholarship from the military for grad school.
Also depending on your program you may not really have time to do the military thing on the side. Remember, in most grad programs a C+ is literally a failing grade.