Posted on Jan 17, 2019
What do you do your Freshman year of college while waiting to do SMP?
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I am currently a junior in high school and I have been trying to look at all my options. My end goal is to do ROTC and commission as an Active duty officer. One the options I have been doing a lot of research on and considering is enlisting now and going to BCT this summer. One of the the jobs I am looking at (Combat Engineer) is short enough where I can do OSUT all in one summer. Then I would finish my senior year, senior summer go to monthly weekend training and then start college and do ROTC while in the Reserves. I want to do the SMP program but I understand that you can not start this until your sophomore year of college. So my freshman year while i wait what should I do to help pay for school? I have Tuition covered but not room and board and other expenses. What type of scholarship will allow me to train with my unit, participate in rotc, get benefit to help pay for room and board and other expenses and allow me to start smp the next year?
Posted in these groups: 
Reserves
ROTC
Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
Basic Training
Combat Engineer OSUT (12B)
Reserves ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Basic Training Combat Engineer OSUT (12B)
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 9
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You should talk to the ROTC cadre at the school you're wanting to go to regarding scholarships. You can also get a "regular" job to help with expenses. When I was in school I did the SMP program as well as worked a normal job. It's not that hard.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Megan D. - Here in the National Guard (in my unit at least), we let cadets drill with their schools if they actually have drill scheduled for the cadets. Some do, some don't. However, I'm only talking about cadets in the SMP program.
If you aren't in the program yet, and your school offers some sort of drill, it would be up to your Reserve commander to let you go to the school's drill instead of theirs. While it is possible (a commander can do whatever he/she wants here), I wouldn't count on it. I, as a commander, would not let a freshman cadet drill with their school. Because, while your intentions are to join the SMP program and contract with ROTC, it hasn't happened yet and something, anything could happen to prevent it. And you would still be a soldier on my books holding a spot with a specific MOS that I need you to train on. If something were to happen and you could not sign up with ROTC, you'd still have your Reserve time to do and I as a commander would have wasted all that time sending you to drill with someone else when I needed you here.
But again, it would be up to the commander.
If you aren't in the program yet, and your school offers some sort of drill, it would be up to your Reserve commander to let you go to the school's drill instead of theirs. While it is possible (a commander can do whatever he/she wants here), I wouldn't count on it. I, as a commander, would not let a freshman cadet drill with their school. Because, while your intentions are to join the SMP program and contract with ROTC, it hasn't happened yet and something, anything could happen to prevent it. And you would still be a soldier on my books holding a spot with a specific MOS that I need you to train on. If something were to happen and you could not sign up with ROTC, you'd still have your Reserve time to do and I as a commander would have wasted all that time sending you to drill with someone else when I needed you here.
But again, it would be up to the commander.
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SGT (Join to see)
In the NG, once you complete basic and AIT you are eligible to receive the GI Bill and the Kicker (if you qualified for the Kicker based on ASVAB score). Those two things alone can add up to about $700/month in income, plus your drill pay each month. Those benefits can pay out for 36 months if you are a full time student. I'm assuming the Reserves works the same way, but you would need to check.
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Megan D.
When you said "Because, while your intentions are to join the SMP program and contract with ROTC, it hasn't happened yet and something, anything could happen to prevent it." What would be an example of something that could prevent it? I have been told by some that while I am in college I cannot be deployed and some others say that the only way I can prevent from being deployed while in college is to be contracted. Is that what you mean by something can prevent it? Deployment or is there other things too?
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MAJ (Join to see)
Megan D. - A deployment prior to your contracting could certainly delay it. I was thinking more along the lines of a DUI or being in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting something on your record, or sometimes people just change their minds. While I'm not at all insinuating that you'd do any of those things, as a commander I see it all the time. Good people with good intentions make bad decisions all the time. I've made several myself.
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I can't anwers all of your questions when it comes to scholarships for expenses, but there is Sallie Mae Student loans (My three daughters used them wisely) during their college years. It's always good to have some skin in your education. During your freshman year you can work out and get in really good shape for the Army Physical Fitness Testing. I would go with the option you mentioned about going to Basic Training (so important to get a taste of the military) before attending your AIT or ROTC. Just my two cents for what it's worth to you Megan D.
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It’s been a long time since I have had to handle something like this Megan D., so I’ll give you some places I would start looking, and tag others who may be able to help you as well:
1. Your college’s tuition assistance representative. Or, anyone in the college that deals with scholarship. They are payed to help you find solutions to attending. If they cannot help, they may very well know where to send you for help.
2. Speak with the cadre or commander of the ROTC program. They want you there just like the college does, it brings money into the college.
3. Knock on doors, find a job that fits your schedule. This is last ditch, but if you have to mop floors and clean toilets to get by, then do it. Dreams are cool and all that, but if dreams are to come true, many times you have to work your tail end off to get it.
Any suggestions my brothers and sisters in arms? I appreciate your help in advance.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SPC Douglas Bolton,Brig Gen Jim Jaeger,CPT Jack Durish,Maj Marty Hogan,SPC Christopher Smith,Lt Col Charlie Brown,Cpl Scott McCarroll,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SP5 Mark Kuzinski,PVT Mark Brown,SGT Elizabeth Scheck,PFC Jacob Wrubel,MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy,SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL,SSG William Jones,TSgt Joe C.,SSgt Robert Marx, LTC Stephen F.
1. Your college’s tuition assistance representative. Or, anyone in the college that deals with scholarship. They are payed to help you find solutions to attending. If they cannot help, they may very well know where to send you for help.
2. Speak with the cadre or commander of the ROTC program. They want you there just like the college does, it brings money into the college.
3. Knock on doors, find a job that fits your schedule. This is last ditch, but if you have to mop floors and clean toilets to get by, then do it. Dreams are cool and all that, but if dreams are to come true, many times you have to work your tail end off to get it.
Any suggestions my brothers and sisters in arms? I appreciate your help in advance.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SPC Douglas Bolton,Brig Gen Jim Jaeger,CPT Jack Durish,Maj Marty Hogan,SPC Christopher Smith,Lt Col Charlie Brown,Cpl Scott McCarroll,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SP5 Mark Kuzinski,PVT Mark Brown,SGT Elizabeth Scheck,PFC Jacob Wrubel,MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy,SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL,SSG William Jones,TSgt Joe C.,SSgt Robert Marx, LTC Stephen F.
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Megan D.
Thank you! Yes, more than likely I will pick up a job while in college, just do not want any student loans while I am in college. This helps a lot I will be sure contact my tuition assistance representative for the schools I am looking at. Thanks again for your help!
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SSgt (Join to see)
Megan D.
Grants used to be an option. Like a loan but it is yours pretty much free and clear. I know the Marine Corps Women's Association has scholarships, perhaps there is an equivalent for the Army? Check with Veteran groups in your area for scholarships as well. They may not cover everything but if you hustle enough now you may find 3 or 4 scholarships will cover most everything.
And yes, this is about hustling! Check with your OSO (Officer Selection Office, found on/near most major Universities) for options. Hustle! See if the Army has a Platoon Leaders group (The USMC does) to help focus your goal and attain the outcome you are looking for. Hustle! Ask about women's grants at your tuition assistance office. Hustle!
And, have a physical check list, add to it as ideas occur to you, keep it focused on the outcome. If you are into technology you could use http://todoist.com, or https://trello.com or one of many others. I personally like Trello.
Good luck! And don't forget to hustle!
Grants used to be an option. Like a loan but it is yours pretty much free and clear. I know the Marine Corps Women's Association has scholarships, perhaps there is an equivalent for the Army? Check with Veteran groups in your area for scholarships as well. They may not cover everything but if you hustle enough now you may find 3 or 4 scholarships will cover most everything.
And yes, this is about hustling! Check with your OSO (Officer Selection Office, found on/near most major Universities) for options. Hustle! See if the Army has a Platoon Leaders group (The USMC does) to help focus your goal and attain the outcome you are looking for. Hustle! Ask about women's grants at your tuition assistance office. Hustle!
And, have a physical check list, add to it as ideas occur to you, keep it focused on the outcome. If you are into technology you could use http://todoist.com, or https://trello.com or one of many others. I personally like Trello.
Good luck! And don't forget to hustle!
Todoist – The Best To Do List App & Task Manager
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SGT Michael Thorin
If something comes up i will let you know. Until then, SSgt (Join to see) has given some excellent advice Megan D..
Strength and Honor!
Strength and Honor!
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Megan D.
SSgt (Join to see) - Okay so I checked it out and there is a couple of Women's Army Corp's Scholarship that I did not know about. I also found a couple other scholarships that I can apply for if I enlist and then go to college too. Thank you!
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