Does ROTC officer (without scholarship) has a contract duty? if so..can it be reserve and how many years?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:21:07 -0500

I'm current enlisted, hoping to use my enlisted benefits to go to masters, while doing ROTC to get commissioned, but I was wondering if I use enlisted benefits instead of ROTC scholarship, do I still have a duty obligation? if so, can I stay as reserve and would it still be 6 years? (and how would it affect my current contract, let's say I have 3 years left, would the new officer contract void the enlisted one?

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 26 at 2018 9:30 PM

SrA John Monette — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:30:20 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member from what I have read, yes, you have a contractual duty. it is generally 8 years and can be active, reserves, guard, or a combination. read Myth 2 in the link I posted.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2017-06-14/3-myths-about-army-rotc-scholarships-for-college

Access Denied

Response by COL Dana Hampton made Nov 26 at 2018 9:35 PM

COL Dana Hampton — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:35:25 -0500

You can contract with a guaranteed reserve commission in the Guard or Reserves. The obligation is typically 8 years total, but after 4 years drilling service you could possibly transfer to the IRR.

A scholarship doesn’t lock you into an Active Duty commission as far as I know. Active Duty commissions through ROTC are typically competitive on an OML.

Talk with your school’s ROTC recruiter. Also talk with the Officer Accessions Recruiter with your State NG HQs. They can give you the best course of action and they should be well versed on current policy and regulations.

Best of luck.

Response by COL John McClellan made Nov 26 at 2018 9:43 PM

COL John McClellan — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:43:35 -0500

COL Hampton nailed it. A couple of extras - (1) ROTC is set up to grant commissions in conjunction with undergraduate education, but it is possible at some schools to combine ROTC with a masters program. (2) If you are now guard/reserve, then there is the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) path whereby you remain a TPU RC Soldier while attending school and ROTC. Your basic training and previous service will typically mean that you can complete ROTC in just 2 years, but that isn't automatic. (3) If accepted into ROTC, you sign a new contract (scholarship or non-scholarship) and as mentioned, the commission carries an 8-year obligation which can be fulfilled in a number of ways. Good Luck!

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Nov 26 at 2018 9:45 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:45:37 -0500

If you are not on a scholarship, you can use any education benefits that you have earned. This includes Reserve GI Bill. If you are doing a 2-year ROTC program such as a Masters program, you would have sign an ROTC contract. As part of that, you can request a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) control number which would help lock you in to the USAR. You would incur a new 6-year service obligation as a non-scholarship contract cadet and that would start when you are commissioned. So it would supersede your current contract. You would also have to be a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) cadet in your unit. This means you would be an officer trainee (AKA 3rd Lieutenant). If you have more questions, you can message me directly. However, the best source of information would be my counterpart (Recruiting Operations Officer) at whatever school you are looking at. You can also compete for a 2-year Masters program scholarship and guarantee reserve duty. That would require you to incur a new 8-year service obligation of active reserve participation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 9:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:49:09 -0500

I'd check out the Ed Center on Fort Gordon and ask a counselor. I used Tuition Assistance (TA) to get a Masters degree and the ADSO was two years.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Nov 26 at 2018 9:54 PM

BG David Fleming III — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:54:40 -0500

Once you accept your ROTC commission your Enlisted contract is voided. You need a minimum of two years left in college to enroll into the ROTC program. You will then be under contract and upon graduating you will receive a commission and have an obligation. I believe it is 4 year obligation in the Reserve, but not certain if that has changed. Best of luck!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 10:07 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:07:15 -0500

Once you sign your ROTC contract and Commission, your enlisted contract becomes void. So, yes, you will have to do another 8 years.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 10:47 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:47:17 -0500

I’m currently a non scholarship, contracted cadet. I’m using the post 9/11 GI Bill. The option to go reserves, guard or active is available to all contracted cadets upon commissioning.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 12:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:08:41 -0500

It would void. If you would like to best on the "Win Win" contract I would recommend going "Green to Gold". It would be a 4 year commitment in on AD and 2 years reserves. It depends on what you want.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 12:24 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:24:45 -0500

YES you get a duty obligation. YES your enlisted contract is voided (might be a different legal term) Whether you use a scholarship or GI bill if you contract ROTC then your payback is about the same. if you agree to AVN then your commitment is longer but it is not tied to the scholarship. You could use both. Commission will end any contract as you will have a new commissioning contract. Depending on the scholarship you can pick National Guard, Reserves, or compete for active duty. My daughter was a 25B and is now six months as a 2LT. I used both GI Bill and a scholarship when I went to school. I owed five years on my enlisted contract when I punched out on a scholarship. And I kept a 10K bonus I didn’t have to pay back.

Response by 1LT Christopher Gonzales made Nov 27 at 2018 11:05 AM

1LT Christopher Gonzales — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:05:48 -0500

Different contract. I went National Guard, joined ROTC, then served AD. My contract obligation was one year shorter than those who used scholarship.

You can elect to stay reserve. The real limiter is what type of units are in your area and how far you're willing to travel.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Nov 27 at 2018 3:39 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 15:39:59 -0500

My question for you is, and I personally don't need a response, why don't you go to your PMS or APMS with this question? They should have the most update and accurate information.