As a junior in Army ROTC, can I take an extra semester that extends past my senior year and delays my commissioning?

2021-10-28T23:10:18-04:00

I was curious if anyone could shed light on what the process for this approval could look like. It will obviously delay my graduation and commissioning date by half a year and, since I have a 3-year scholarship, they will not be paying for that extra semester. I would still really like to take the extra time and was wondering if anyone had some advice on what to say/ask for.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2021 11:17 PM

2021-10-28T23:17:28-04:00

I know it happens. I would talk to your Cadre about the situation.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2021 6:44 AM

2021-10-29T06:44:45-04:00

Yes, it can happen. I knew people who did that when I was a Cadet. Talk to your PMS. It’s not a guarantee, but I’m sure if there’s a valid justification for you to take the additional semester, it should get approved.

Response by COL Bill Gross made Oct 29 at 2021 9:36 AM

2021-10-29T09:36:36-04:00

You could 55 years ago.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 29 at 2021 11:45 AM

2021-10-29T11:45:20-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member has it right. Talk to the PMS. It depends on several factors. The needs of the Army come first. If you’ve completed your degree and the Army needs officers immediately then the answer may be no. Otherwise it may be to the Army’s advantage to delay your commissioning—that’s the case I’d make. If you need the extra semester to complete your degree, then the Army probability won’t commission you until you’re done anyway. Review your scholarship contract. Failure to complete your degree on time might end up with you being required to enter active duty as enlisted.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2021 1:16 PM

2021-10-29T13:16:25-04:00

Curious about the education time line. Is the extra semester needed for graduation, or is for further development of personal choice.

If you can knock out the degree, then just do that. CHECK THE BOX. As the years roll by personal development is a continual thing, and you can always come back to it. So if you are delaying CHECKING THE BOX for personal development I recommend against that.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2021 2:51 PM

2021-10-29T14:51:06-04:00

As a career military personnel (HR) specialist I have seen a lot of weird things happen. I advise against delaying being commissioned. Something bizarre could happen in the interim time period (such as medical) that could disqualify you from being commissioned. You can always get more education once you're commissioned. Take your commission as soon as possible and go.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 30 at 2021 5:09 AM

2021-10-30T05:09:50-04:00

ROTC programs have a commission mission every year to have so many officers. If you want another semester just to take some additional classes and that pushes you into another year group, I would be surprised if the PMS supports it. It is a different case if you need the semester to graduate since a degree is a commissioning requirement. Talk to your PMS as he/she will have to provide a recommendation to the Brigade commander. If you only ask the question on here, the answer will always be “No.”

Response by LCDR Glenn Adwell made Nov 27 at 2021 1:03 AM

2021-11-27T01:03:49-05:00

My daughter was an ROTC graduate. She commissioned in May at graduation, but did not report to BLOC until late August. In the mean time she stayed at home and took a break before commencing active duty. Other officers worked on campus and conducted the freshman orientations until their BLOC school dates, but the lived in the commuting area of the university.