Choices

[PFC Meg]

Ok I enlisted in the Army National Guard in June. Hooah! I want to eventually become an officer eventually. I also applied for an Army ROTC scholarship. I went for my interview today and found out if I accept any type of scholarship from the Army, I am automatically knocked out of the guard. Unfortunately, I love the guard but I need the money because I cannot afford the Citadel. Should I take the scholarship if offered one or stay in the guard and live off the GI Bill?

[Bunny]

Point #1: If you “Go Guard” plan to stay there. Don’t even believe any of this crap about, if you ever want to go active, it’s a piece of cake, because it not. I have a friend who ass is stuck in the Guard for another 2 years. He is an awesome guy and wanted to go Special Forces. But since the Guard is hurting for people (especially officers) they wrote to Jump School and Ranger School informing them that he had “changed his mind” and “realizes he can be more useful in the Guard”. He was devastated. So I would say, stay away from the guard if you’re a hard charger. If you have big plans, go active.

Point #2: You are obviously almost 18. You think you’ll just enlist and when your ready, start going to college, wrong. They promise a lot of crap, and truth is you’ll be way to busy to do college. They will either ship you off, or activate you (and forget that college online crap). BTW, most people in the green to gold program are SFC’s with impeccable service records. So . . . if you want to be an officer, do it FIRST.

Point #3: AROTC is an excellent way to get through college AND become and officer. Basically there is no better way. You knock down two birds with one stone. Hold off on the Guard (they will still be there in a couple months) and WAIT for your scholarship notice. If you get it, don’t let it pass you by.

[Field_Sailor]

I say go for the school. College is a good tool. The Army isn't going anywhere.

[Scary]

What makes you think that you can't live off of your ROTC scholarship? I do. My school runs $30k+ and (because of some in school kickers) I end up actually making a little bit of money each year. Research some schools, because last time I checked there were probably 5-10 schools that will pick up room and board and overages that the scholarship won't pick up.


E.S.

[PFC Meg]

I have no doubt that you can run off a rotc scholarship, however it's the expirience before becoming an officer I'm concerned about. I joined for many reasons but the one that initially got me to sign up was the smp program.

[Covertness]

I've seen good and bad prior Enlisted Officers. If you ask me, either way works. Go to college, be an "O", see if you got what it takes. I wouldn't necessarily say that being prior enlisted will make you any better at it.

[PFC Meg]

ok, thanks for the advice

Wow i just realized that this post has been out of discussion for over a month now, but i thought i would throw out what i know in case anyone else comes along with a similar problem. Right now i'm waiting to hear back from the Army whether i will get a 4-year scholarship or a 3-year or anything, and i have talked to a lot of people about the whole process. Financially speaking it depends on what school will give you a slot for an ROTC scholarship. For example at Texas A&M, where i will be in the fall GIG 'EM, each person awarded a scholarship is given a stipend of $250 a month freshman year, $300 sophomore year, etc. (Which can also be acquired by contracting with the Army freshman or sophomore year) This is to discourage the scholar from having to take a part time job and be distracted from school. The scholarship also includes room, board and books. From the standpoint of experience gained during 4 years of ROTC versus Guard work everything is relative to what you're looking for. Every school treats their programs differently so the most important thing is to do research: visit the schools, talk to the PMS, and talk to cadets. All ROTC programs do a damn good job of preparing 21 year olds to be 2LTs, so you shouldnt be concerned about being short-changed training wise. But again, every program is different, so do your homework! If you're looking for the best training college ROTC can give you then i would look no further than the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M. In my opinion they offer the best training in the nation, as they turn out the most officers per year than any other school, aside from the Military Academy. Good luck and i hope this helps someone!

GIG 'EM AGGIES
Class of '09

[Scary]

Originally Posted by ArmyCadetCPT

The scholarship also includes room, board and books.

This isn't true in all cases. The university is allowed to offer you room and board incentives, but the scholarship itself cannot pay for room and board. Also, book stipends have increased to $450/semester. That may not cover all of your books, but it is nice to have.


E.S.

[333MP]

if you still would like the experience or at least some of it take the option to go to basic and ait while in ROTC. When I was in Basic we had 2 Citidel Cadets there and in AIT 1. It lets you know what the enlisted go through and you'll go in the summer, so you'll hear plenty of stories from those in the gaurd and reserves who have had some experience in.

You might want to look into the Guard paying 100% tuition - its a common incentive that I know they offer in Ohio...
I have to disagree with the "if you go Guard, then your stuck..." comment below. Its 110% different if you go officer... We just had two guys from our unit complete accelerated OCS and go active. Yes, your command needs to release you - but the need very high for JO's! I know the active duty recruiters hit OCS the week before graduation...
Citadel, awsome school - I have a couple of friends who went there and both have benefitted from the alumni network! Go, if given the opportunity! You might also want to consider VMI...