Posted on Dec 28, 2017
Can I be contracted as an officer and do a 2 year ROTC program?
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I am currently a senior at a high school in CT and am planning on taking an engineering science program at a community college for two years before transferring over to UConn to get a degree in Mechanical Engineering... my question is, can I contract into the Army ROTC program as a junior transfer student at UConn? I want to become an officer, but am confused as to how the ROTC program works.
United States
ROTC
US Army Recruiting School
2ndLt
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 8
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You need to contact the ROTC program at UConn to confirm what is current policy and what is possible. This changes frequently. ROTC cadre are the ones you need to contact to confirm.
- in the past it was possible to contract as a junior, go to training that summer and the following summer and Commission at the conclusion of that second training.
- will UConn accept everything you did in the two year and directly apply it to the 4 year? Universities are fickle. Between their contact hour requirements, what isnt offered at the two year and how courses align, and sometimes four year snobbery, they do not accept everything. Especially as an engineering student. Recommend getting your transcripts/ two year curriculum and course descriptions and sitting down with the UConn's admissions and the engineering department to see how you will be postured. 2+2 may be 5.
- if you end up doing 3 years at UConn this may align better with your ROTC aspirations. Very common to have people start as MS IIs.
- Down the road: study for and take the EIT / FE exam your junior/senior year. Check what PE licensing requirements are for your state. It is a pain to back track and catch it later. You will need 4-8 years of documented experience depending on the state to sit for the PE exam and earn your stamp. Being a PE is critical to your future as an engineer. Don't be an EIT at 46. It sucks.
- some have recommended SMP, which has you joining the National Guard or USAR. You could also apply for a scholarship. Being SMP could be a great way to secure a spot in a particular NG/USAR unit. This varied over the years, but it could shut the door on active duty. Check with the ROTC cadre.
- make an appointment with the ROTC department and find out what is current. Do it before you are committed to a path. Do it now. My recommendation as an ROTC graduate and engineer.
- in the past it was possible to contract as a junior, go to training that summer and the following summer and Commission at the conclusion of that second training.
- will UConn accept everything you did in the two year and directly apply it to the 4 year? Universities are fickle. Between their contact hour requirements, what isnt offered at the two year and how courses align, and sometimes four year snobbery, they do not accept everything. Especially as an engineering student. Recommend getting your transcripts/ two year curriculum and course descriptions and sitting down with the UConn's admissions and the engineering department to see how you will be postured. 2+2 may be 5.
- if you end up doing 3 years at UConn this may align better with your ROTC aspirations. Very common to have people start as MS IIs.
- Down the road: study for and take the EIT / FE exam your junior/senior year. Check what PE licensing requirements are for your state. It is a pain to back track and catch it later. You will need 4-8 years of documented experience depending on the state to sit for the PE exam and earn your stamp. Being a PE is critical to your future as an engineer. Don't be an EIT at 46. It sucks.
- some have recommended SMP, which has you joining the National Guard or USAR. You could also apply for a scholarship. Being SMP could be a great way to secure a spot in a particular NG/USAR unit. This varied over the years, but it could shut the door on active duty. Check with the ROTC cadre.
- make an appointment with the ROTC department and find out what is current. Do it before you are committed to a path. Do it now. My recommendation as an ROTC graduate and engineer.
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LTC Jason Mackay
All schools 2 and 4 have maximum levels you may transfer in. Unless the CC has some cooperative agreement with UConn on transfer credit or is cross enrolled. The CC may tout that you will be postured with your first 2 years, but unless UConn agrees to that you will likely lose credit.
There are many reasons why you go to a CC first. Build an academic record if your HS transcripts won’t get get you into a 4 yr as an example.
If it is to try out Engineering to see if you like it, you really won’t know until you are a junior anyway. That is when you “get into it”.
There are many reasons why you go to a CC first. Build an academic record if your HS transcripts won’t get get you into a 4 yr as an example.
If it is to try out Engineering to see if you like it, you really won’t know until you are a junior anyway. That is when you “get into it”.
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PVT (Join to see)
Ok so I just finished up basic. I already have done 2 years of college is there a way I can I can transfer to a college that has rotc and join and still come out a 2nd LT
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LTC Jason Mackay
PVT (Join to see) possibly. Get a counseling appointment with the gaining college and the ROTC department. Basic Training isn’t part of the commissioning path for ROTC.
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Yes, but I'd be surprised if they paid you for it. In the cases I've been familiar with, they didn't receive a scholarship for school, though they did commission upon graduating.
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LCDR (Join to see)
As I understand it, and this is purely from a naval perspective that is based on 7-year-old information, the 2-year scholarships are almost non-existent, 4-years are given willy-nilly based on intended major, and 3-year scholarships are given to people who prove themselves in n year 1 without being paid.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SFC (Join to see) - Simultaneous membership means that you enlisted in the Guard or Reserves and are eligible for GI Bill and/or State Tuition assistance. It also means that you went to basic training and AIT and have an MOS.
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SFC (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable you don't necessarily have to go to basic or AIT. If you enlist as a Senior in High School and you get accepted for the scholarship then you don't do basic until after you complete the ROTC program.
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SFC (Join to see)
Plus if having to go through basic and AIT is your determining factor on whether or not your going to pursue this career you don't deserve the scholarship just my opinion.
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