Attending ROTC soon. Any tips?

PFC Tuan Trang — Sat, 16 May 2015 17:37:31 -0400

Well i'm not much of a talker, but currently as you all know i'm a private first class, and currently
waiting for my money for school. I'm thinking about trying out for Rotc. I got alot of friend saying that the road from cadet to officer is long and hard, But i'm gonna try to make it through.

Any tips for me? I'm going to UH downtown Houston Battalion.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 16 at 2015 5:53 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Sat, 16 May 2015 17:53:48 -0400

First, go check out the ROTC unit of the campus where you'll be going to school. Call ahead for an appointment. Make sure to disclose who you are and why you're contacting them. They should be able to put you in contact with the "Freshman Advisor" --or some, similarly titled staff member. I'm not sure what the education coffer looks like for the Army. But, there's a possibility that you could get financial assistance (a 2/3-yr scholarship) directly from the unit. But that, of course, will be determined by your academic performance while YOU are funding your education. Hopefully, your campus has a Veterans' Affairs Office as well. I'm sure they could be of some help too.

Great to hear of another young, hard-charger going to secure a degree! Best of luck to you!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 16 at 2015 6:23 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 16 May 2015 18:23:42 -0400

Learn about the Troop Leading Procedures which starts with the Higher unit designates your mission, and how to communicate with your troops. Learn about the Principles of War which are principles we fight by. Don't get overwhelmed by leadership studies. ROTC will discuss great combat leaders and expect you to relate to them.

I have to caveat this. I have never attended ROTC.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 16 at 2015 6:44 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Sat, 16 May 2015 18:44:32 -0400

See if you can shadow an officer for a day to see if you would like the officer's life. It isn't for everyone.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 16 at 2015 7:09 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 16 May 2015 19:09:22 -0400

Good for you for examining all your options. The road from cadet to officer is only as long and hard as you make it. It's an investment in your future. This is from the Army perspective. The way it worked at the University of RI was anyone could take freshman and sophomore ROTC classes, no strings attached. The staff would speak to everyone individually to ask you for your intent and try to sell you on the program. By junior year you contract and commit, go to advanced camp (or whatever it is called now) then finish your senior year and get your commission, branch and assignment. First 2 years you attend labs and FTXs as Joe/Jane soldier. You learn, are evaluated academically - lots of writing, papers, etc., take full APFTs, evaluated for leadership, get rotated in role of E-5 section NCO. Junior year you prep for advanced camp, take on roles as senior NCOs/junior officers and attend camp - 6 weeks of challenge, not quite basic, not quite OCS, kind of its own thing. at this point you are leading and training the freshman and sophomores. Lots of leadership training, FTXs, APFTs, intro to the Army 101. As a senior, you are the battalion staff - senior officers, E-8s & E-9s. You're running the show running your juniors, making training schedules, executing the FTXs, etc.

If you take it for what it is, it's a great learning experience for people with no prior service. for folks like yourself with prior service, please take it with a grain of salt because you're going to feel like, "oh this is such crap" having been through basic. Use what knowledge and skills you have to better the program and your fellow cadets. It's all about leadership and not how many Warrior Tasks you're better at or how much better your APFT score is than the next person.

My PMS - professor of military science - was a LTC, Vietnam era Green Beret. Great Individual who I very much admired. He had the good sense to get Military Science as an approved minor course of study so we were the first class at URI to graduate with a Bachelors in our major, a minor in Military Science and our commissions.

Best of luck to you in your endeavor! Please reach out if you need any help along the way.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made May 16 at 2015 8:13 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Sat, 16 May 2015 20:13:21 -0400

I am glad that you are considering becoming an Army officer. I work as a Recruiting Operations Officer for an ROTC program in Iowa and it always makes my job easier when someone comes in wanting to start the process. My first recommendation is that you meet with whomever is my counterpart there so you can understand the requirements for the program. Second, if you decide that you want to become an officer, remember you are a student first so academics needs to be foremost in your mind. Third, would say that you should get involved in ROTC so that the cadre knows who you are. The Lieutenant Colonel who is in charge of the program will have to recommend you to contract to be an officer so the cadre will always be looking at your performance both with classes and ROTC. Good luck on your endeavor and if you have any direct questions, hit me up.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 9:01 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 21:01:51 -0400

Seems simple, but go to class. Most of the people I know who didn't make it through ROTC did so because they either had to drop out of school or didn't have all the credits needed to graduate on time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 11:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 23:51:38 -0400

Having just commissioned out of ROTC, my tips are to remember that you're a student and then a cadet, and then anything social. Grades play a huge role in ROTC accessions and you're always a Cadet, 24/7, always representing the US Army and your school's BN. Also, keep an open mind; the experiences you bring with you from BCT, AIT, or drill with your unit are great but don't be so stuck in them you're not receptive to working with other Cadets and learning WITH and FROM them, regardless if they have prior service time or not. Everyone leads a little differently and just because someone has no experience coming into ROTC doesn't mean their way won't work.

But most of all, try and enjoy it. Like MAJ Petrarca said, it's difficult, but at the end of the day, only as hard as you make it. And I agree with 2LT Reppert as well; ROTC was one of the best things that happened to me. It made me an Army Officer yes, my crowning achievement thus far, but it also made me a better, more well rounded person.

Response by BG David Fleming III made May 16 at 2015 11:59 PM

BG David Fleming III — Sat, 16 May 2015 23:59:18 -0400

When you are told to be some place NLT 0800 hrs, it means 0745 hrs!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 17 at 2015 12:05 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 17 May 2015 00:05:27 -0400

There are multiple threads on this same topic. Here is a recent one that is similar: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/do-you-think-i-made-a-good-or-bad-decision-why-i-would-like-your-opinions?page=2&urlhash=671511#671511

- choose your major wisely. Understand different programs are harder than others. Time commitments vary wildly. ROTC will cost you some time. Engineering is a huge time sink.
- consider civilian occupations you may pursue as you may not get an active duty commission.
- please note the GPA discussion in the link. Add to that, the Army will use it as a discriminator for branch accession.
- look at some of the threads on RP about the decision to pursue commissioning, making the transition to bring an officer, commissioning source, and expectation management on branch assignments. I say look them up as they are best considered in their entirety

Enlist with SMP program or just go straight to ROTC? Which do you think is a better decision? |...

This is my first question on RP. In advance, sorry for any gramatical mistakes. So I decided to enlist in the NG as an Infantryman. I will be attending OSUT in August and will skip my first semester of college. I will be back home in December, and start college along with ROTC in the spring and join the SMP program once I am qualified. I already have 9 college credits so skipping my first semester of college will not be that bad. Also, I hope...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 12:26 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 May 2015 00:26:44 -0400

Congrats on your decision to go for your degree and commission! You should have GI bill and also may be able to get a scholarship on top of that. Since you been in basic you should be able to go right to the advanced course--the last two years (but you have to be academically aligned -ie have had 2 years of college completed) You may enter before that if you want. When you go to the advanced course even if not on scholarship you will be get a stipend (not sure what it is now probably 3 or 4 hundred a month) in addition to your GI bill; once you are in advanced course, you can go go SMP (Simultaneous membership program) You drill with Reserve/Guard unit get paid as an E5 in addition to GI bill/stipend. You attend a leadership camp between jr. and sr. year where you take turns holding leadership positions in garrison and the field. There are voluntary special activities such a drill team, Ranger Challenge, rifle team, Scabbard and Blade and Pershing Rifles (last two in some units) You normally take the academic class 2 or 3 days a week and a weekly leadership lab and a PT session. Visit the ROTC unit and talk to the recruiting/enrollment officer and s/he will give you the latest information. Also talk to the veterans affairs officer too. Good luck! You'll love it!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 17 at 2015 12:33 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 17 May 2015 00:33:41 -0400

My advice for a future officer: there is no try; there is only do. You can learn about about yourself in ROTC and you should have some fun at the same time. I say go for it. I wish you luck in your endeavors.

Response by COL Terry Schooler made May 17 at 2015 5:39 AM

COL Terry Schooler — Sun, 17 May 2015 05:39:06 -0400

My advice - enjoy college. Not saying to be immature and get in to trouble, but just to enjoy the experience. If you're going to make a career out of it, you've got the rest of your life to be a Soldier. You get one shot at college. Study hard, have fun, participate in extracurricular activities, and don't limit yourself to just the things that ROTC offers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 12:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 May 2015 12:36:19 -0400

As others have mentioned, joining ROTC was definitely the best decision I ever made. The friendships and experiences I gained are some of the best of my life. I was enlisted prior and was unsure of ROTC of at first. It took some getting used to but once I was apart of the program I never looked back.

With that being said, ROTC is what you make of it. As 2LT Reppert said, if you are serious about it you should be volunteering for extra events and doing little things to have your cadre learn who you are. Cadets that did this seemed to always be atop the Order of Merit list at my school.

Most importantly, to get noticed quickly your APFT score and academics must be good. So make sure your working out hard over summer and crush that first APFT. For academics, take time to get to know your professors and NEVER skip class. Simple things like that can sometimes be the difference in a letter grade.

Lastly, have your priorities straight once school starts. Time management skills are crucial to success. College can have numerous distractions and its okay to have your fun once in awhile. However, you must remember the reason you are there is to earn your degree and commission. ROTC and your studies should come first.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 4:50 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 May 2015 16:50:18 -0400

I finished ROTC close to a year ago, while I was Air Force not Army I feel the following applies to both.

First off congratulations. Even if you don't go through the entire program, because you either leave or don't make it, you will learn things that will help you in life in general.

Second you are a student first and your ROTC instructors will understand that. We had a phrase at my Detachment "No degree = No Lt". It's that simple. It doesn't matter how well you do in ROTC if you don't graduate. If you're struggling to do one or the other tell your Cadre. They will understand you not being able to take on additional ROTC duties if your school workload is too much. But make sure it actually is and you're not just trying to shrink on duties.

Third. Teamwork and leadership. ROTC is there to teach you those two things, so learn them. Don't try to do everything solo.

Finally. Since you have prior experience there will be a greater expectation on you. Use what you know to help those that don't know. But don't flaunt your prior experience.

Congratulations. Good luck. Work hard. And remember No Degree = No Lt.

Response by MIDN 2/C Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 7:54 PM

MIDN 2/C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:54:34 -0400

Once you're in. Become the officer that you want to serve under. A lot of ROTC guys (and gals) get in and get a high off of the fact that they're becoming officers and this hinders them from actually taking in the learning experience that the ROTC program is. I've learned and improved my leadership tremendously from just the past year and this occurred because I humbled myself and allowed myself to learn as much as possible.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 10:29 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 22:29:28 -0400

Earn the respect of your peers and be a good person, because 20%? of your accessions comes from peer and instructor evals.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 12:29 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:29:18 -0400

Be Know Do. Seek out and develop yourself on your own. Commit doctrine to memory, commit systems to memory. Read ULO doctorine, commit SH21-76 and FM 7-8 to memory as a baseline. You need to master the basics to do anything innovating. Common Sense things, be flexible.

It is not hard, it is long and many times annoying. ROTC programs vary but you will not be learning the high speed stuff you think you are, even at BOLCs you are being exposed to basics and responsibility. Do not compromise in standards for yourself and others. The standard you walk by is the standard you accept.

Focus on your grades. Do PT on your own, PRT won't do anything but maintain.

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 4:40 AM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 04:40:16 -0400

Just constantly remind yourself, the end prize is all worth it. Yes, it's sucks, yes, you get sick of being treated like a child. But, in my case, it's been my dream since I was about 4 years old to be a pilot in the USAF. Since I was able to humble myself (as a 23 year old male being bossed around by 19, 20 and 21 year olds) and push through all the BS--I now have a pilot slot and will be attending USAF UPT in 2016. The accomplishment I have attained is by far one of the most satisfying things I have ever felt. Just never forget why you chose to take this track in life and how it'll better your life in such a dramatic way. This mind set should help you through all of the pains of ROTC.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jun 16 at 2015 10:52 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 10:52:17 -0400

Unless you're lawfully tied to the Army, consult with the ROTC staffs from other services, too, if you have the opportunity. Just because you started Army doesn't necessarily mean you have to stay Army. It depends on your current contract. Unfortunately, Naval ROTC (USN & USMC) only have units in Austin and College Station, at UT and A&M. I don't know about the Air Force.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 16 at 2015 3:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 15:21:23 -0400

Why do you want to become an officer?

Response by SGT Kevin McCourt made Jun 23 at 2015 6:43 PM

SGT Kevin McCourt — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 18:43:25 -0400

Keep your grades up and keep up with your personal fitness. You never see officers fall out of the monthly fun runs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 23 at 2015 8:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:35:10 -0400

This is the most important piece of information. Chicks dig guys in uniform.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 2:06 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 02:06:55 -0400

You have a lot of great advice on here already, hopefully I can manage to add something.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to focus on the 25m target in front of you - getting a contracted slot in ROTC. As I am sure you know, or will soon find out, the Army is shrinking drastically and less and less slots are being offered to cadets each academic year. That being said, your career advancement is in your hands and your responsibility. Leading up to the start of the school year make sure you are in constant contact with the recruitment officer and other cadre at your school. Be persistent so that when slots come down from cadet command you are the first person on their list. People who are complacent will be passed over for those who are actively pursuing to better themselves and subsequently their unit.

When you are at school focus on your grades (GPA)/ APFT Score/ And just doing the right thing (Don't be a Blue Falcon). Don't be a spotlight ranger or do things just to be noticed by cadre - people can tell, usually pretty quickly, who generally cares for those around them and who is doing it just to get bonus points.

I was an SMP (National Guard) cadet at my school, so I have some experience from that side of the house. If you have any questions at all please feel free to message me. I would be happy to email/talk as needed.

Good luck in your future endeavors - Have fun at college, enjoy it, but be smart (especially when alcohol is concerned)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 2:43 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 02:43:48 -0400

You are already a soldier so you have a leg up on those in ROTC who never enlisted. Your most important part is academics; major in something that you are like and hopefully leads to a good civilian job. Although you will have to spend extra time with ROTC, you will be like a regular civilian college student the rest of the time (unless you take it at a military school). ROTC allows any major; encourages math and science type majors but not required. The main thing outside of academics is leadership and teamwork. As time permits consider drill team, Ranger Challenge team, Color Guard, Rifle marksmanship team, Pershing Rifles or Scabbard and blade if the units has them. The biggest military challenge is Leadership Development and Assessment Course (formerly Advanced Camp) at Fort Knox. Make sure you are physically fit, boots broken into, learn about op orders, troop leading steps, tactics and even drill and ceremonies. Again already being a soldier will normally make it easier. As a reserve soldier, you are also eligible for contracting in the advanced course (last 2 years ROTC) but you must have completed 2 years college. If you haven't, you can start ROTC freshman or soph courses if you want just and to be in program, you can apply for various scholarships to include Green to Gold. Work with the campus veterans coordinator as well as the ROTC Recruiting operations officer for info on latest scholarship and benefits Various scholarships and Gi bill benefits may be combined in some cases. It also depends if you go to stay in reserves or want to go active after commissioning. In the advanced course, you can participate in the Simultaneous Membership program (receive drill pay as E5, vets educ. benefits and ROTC stipend; also not deployable as a contracted ROTC cadet.) If you are in your first 2 years of college and enrolled in ROTC, you can continue to drill in the reserves. Thank you for your service and for your dedication to become a leader in the US Army! Good luck to you!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 6:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 06:33:09 -0400

When you start classes, try working your hand at better grammar. There is a space between the A and the L in a lot. And ROTC cadets aren't guaranteed a commission unless their schooling is paid for by the Government and required to serve as an officer as return of that investment. Which, chances are, will not be the case for you.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 5:48 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 17:48:28 -0400

What if you are prior service and can't make it to advanced camp ?

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jun 4 at 2019 11:26 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 11:26:23 -0400

If you are not much of a talker, either practice so you are more comfortable talking to people and in front of people, or find something else to do for a living. So much of what a leader does in any sphere is communicate. You don't have to be a natural extrovert, but you have to seem like one, at least in public. Good luck, whatever decision you make, and thanks for your service so far.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 4 at 2019 12:14 PM

1LT William Clardy — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:14:55 -0400

If you're still loitering around these premises, PFC Tuan Trang, how about an update on your foray into Cadethood?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 4 at 2019 7:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 19:27:10 -0400

I would like to know why you want to be an officer.

Response by Bonnie Kutch made Oct 15 at 2022 3:59 AM

Bonnie Kutch — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 03:59:36 -0400

Exercise your integrity at every step. This does not mean to be a rat, or turn people in for minor things (big things you always should). What it means is to hold yourself to a higher standard than you expect of everyone else. You will be taught the Army Standard (or other service). Go above and beyond the standard. An example: The Army APFT standard is to score 60 points in each event for a score of 180. this is the bare minimum to pass. Officers really should be aiming for a 270 or above. This means that you should hold yourself to a higher standard than the bare minimum. By ensuring that you are always maintaining a higher standard and keeping your integrity intact, you will be better prepared for life as an Officer. We are expected to set the example. Many do not, and I find it extremely embarrasing. https://www.landstaronline.me/

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