Would it be better for me to join and ship off to basic, or go through ROTC?

2019-01-01T23:54:55-05:00

Hello, I am a military wife and I have always wanted to serve myself. I have enlisted before but did not get to go to basic due to an ACL tear before I left. I had to get out soon after because of how long I was instructed to wear the knee brace, then I had kids, and now I would like to try to get back in and serve. My question is, would it be better for me to join and ship off to basic, or go through ROTC? I am not in shape right now to pass a PT test, but definitely will be assuming I can get in and get started. Pros and cons either way would help. Thank you in advance.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 12:00 AM

2019-01-02T00:00:57-05:00

Get in shape, go through BCT, then do an SMP scholarship.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 12:01 AM

2019-01-02T00:01:15-05:00

I went to RSP and to basic one month later. I was at the threshold of the weight and tape limit. I couldn’t pass a pt test until a few in to basic. I steadily got better and better in basic and lost close to 35lbs at the end of infantry osut training. There were struggle points considering I had a new born son just two weeks before I shipped out. I spend every day with him now. If you have the will and dedication to getting in and passing all the exams at MEPS, you should do it sooner than later. It all depends on which route you want to go

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 12:34 AM

2019-01-02T00:34:38-05:00

Rather it's going through BCT or ROTC program neither of them are bad choices; but I say utilize both of your options. I'd recommend going completing Basic Training and AIT first then go through ROTC. You'll be a MOS qualified soldier and you have your MOS to fall back on, if for whatever reason you can't commission or you just decide ROTC is not for you. Also if you complete Basic training it will open up doors for the Army ROTC SMP program, which is a really good program, with good benefits that can actually put more money in your pockets.

Response by MAJ Fred Peterman made Jan 2 at 2019 1:08 AM

2019-01-02T01:08:19-05:00

Remember, the military will put the military FIRST! Before EVERYTHING! Kids, marriage, co-habitation, EVERYTHING.
Think VERY, VERY, VERY CAREFULLY.
Bee there, done that!

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 2:57 AM

2019-01-02T02:57:55-05:00

First, don't dismiss your service and sacrifice for the nation as a spouse. Joint military with children is very difficult, so weigh your priorities carefully. Contrary to what some claim, you can't have it all. But you can have what you choose as priorities.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 3:03 AM

2019-01-02T03:03:31-05:00

There are a LOT of routes, both Active duty and reserve component for both options. It's really a matter of what your needs and goals are. That question is as broad as, "What vehicle should I buy or lease?"

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 9:33 AM

2019-01-02T09:33:39-05:00

20 years ago I went through a similar situation. I had started college and wanted to go to BCT and continue my service, so I joined the reserves. After finishing my associate's, I found a good ROTC program and did the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Personally I think the benefits of being enlisted first and working the way through the program is why I am still going after 20 years. The one thing you will need to check with recruiters about is your age. I started all this in 1999 and know max ages and waivers have changed 100 times since then so check with an expert before making any decisions or signing any legally binding contracts.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 10:05 AM

2019-01-02T10:05:48-05:00

Do both. Enlist in Reserves and do ROTC when you get back home

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 10:20 AM

2019-01-02T10:20:26-05:00

I'd always recommend Basic then ROTC, especially with the reserve option, basically enlist in the reserves get your PT up to par and start your time in service clock. Do the Simultaneous Membership Program (ROTC and Reserves) then commission active duty. You'll get much more money for college and commission with several years in service, meaning much higher pay for the rest of your career due to the experience and knowledge gained in your enlisted service.
Good luck, also dual military is a stressful and hard life (rewarding but hard)

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jan 2 at 2019 2:51 PM

2019-01-02T14:51:39-05:00

As a ROO with an ROTC program, here is my take: First of all, the medical fitness standards for both enlisting and contracting with ROTC are the same. So for either option, you would have to be medically qualified which may require a waiver for your ACL tear. Probably not a big deal if it happened a while ago and does not affect your performance. If you do decide to enlist, you are signing a contract right away and will ship when you have your slot. That would require you to be gone for several months due to basic and AIT. With ROTC, you can do the first two years of classes without having to make the commitment. Of course, that depends on how long it will take you to graduate. To go into the 3rd year (MSIII year) you have to meet the qualifications and sign an ROTC contract. This would require you to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test and soon the Army Combat Fitness Test. A good thing about ROTC is that you can do PT and fully participate without making that commitment. So that would help you get in shape. The other requirements for ROTC include being a full-time student (12 credits/semester), academic qualifications, medical qualification, and a dependent waiver since your spouse is in the military. Besides training during the semester, your one mandatory training camp is ROTC Advanced Camp which usually takes place after your junior year of college (ROTC also has 2 year Masters Program). Other time requirements include on field training exercise per semester, a weekly leadership lab which ties in with your Military Science class, and the actual Military Science class. At graduation, you would receive your commission in the regular Army or one of the reserve components. After graduation and commissioning, you would depart for your Basic Officer Leader Course which is specific to your officer branch. That would be 4-5 months away from home. So regardless of whether your enlist or commission, you will be away from home for quite a while. The biggest advantage of ROTC is you get to try it before making the decision and also after commissioning, there is a significant pay differential. The other significant difference is in the responsibilities that you have as an officer vs. a junior enlisted. That alone discourages some people from pursuing the officer track. If you have any questions about how ROTC works, feel free to message me directly. Good luck with your decision.

Response by 1LT Ting-Yu C. made Jan 2 at 2019 7:59 PM

2019-01-02T19:59:58-05:00

ROTC and Basic Combat Training (BCT) are two completely different things with two completely different objectives. ROTC trains young people (college students) to become officers. BCT trains young people to become the enlisted personnel, the backbone of the Army. ROTC is a four-year college program and is only available if you are currently enrolled in a credit producing university. In other words, if you are not currently a college student, you can't do ROTC. As for BCT, I would say that going to Basic would be a whole lot tougher than ROTC, because the Army needs to teach you an enormous amount of skills in less than 3 months what ROTC can teach you in 4 years. But then again, ROTC trains officers, not enlisted personnel. I would highly recommend talking to a recruiter. And also, I would strongly urge you to consider MAJ Peterman's advice. The Army always puts itself before your family, so be absolutely certain joining is what you want to do before doing it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 1:38 PM

2019-01-03T13:38:41-05:00

Christy C either way get in shape first.

If you enlist right away your time in service begins and it starts your clock on retirement. ROTC does not. Unless you go to basic then get chosen or have it already in your contract to go OCS you will be enlisted and pay is way less than if you are an officer which is guaranteed upon graduation of ROTC. Unless things changed you will need a bachelor's (or close to it) to get to go to OCS or later decide to try direct commission.

So the big questions are:
1: Do you want to be enlisted or an officer?
2: If you want to be an officer do you qualify for OCS or is ROTC the only way you can go at this point?
3: If you do not already have a college degree can you afford school without a scholarship or GI Bill?
4: Do you want to do it full-time or be a reservist or guardsman? (ROTC has limited scholarships for guaranteed guard/reserve, but it is only 2 years, which begs how you pay for years 1 and 2).
5: If you want to go reserve or guard you can enlist then do ROTC as a SMP (meaning you do your weekends and ROTC and get paid as an E5).

Hope this helps. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 3 at 2019 4:23 PM

2019-01-03T16:23:41-05:00

Christy C it really depends on you, your end goal, and your resources to achieve this goal.

I would generally recommend to anyone pursuing a commission to pursue it now vice later. The demands on officer candidates (ROTC, OCS, Service Academy) don't get any easier, and your initial Lieutenant time will be demanding in many ways. Don't compound the difficulty level with being older, slower, and trying to dodge age waivers etc. If your goal is to serve as an officer cut to the chase and do it. If you can't afford college or need other service benefits to go to college, then an enlisted path may be right for you.

My recommendation would be to see an ROTC program. They have recruiting and operations people that can advise you, on your specific situation as they stack against their current accessions rules. At least see where you stand.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 3 at 2019 9:04 PM

2019-01-03T21:04:27-05:00

I have no filter soooo... Don't be a dumba** - Go to ROTC.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2019 11:27 PM

2019-01-05T23:27:19-05:00

It depends on the route you want to take. Do you want to be a commissioned officer or an enlisted personnel. I was enlisted in the Army Reserves before becoming a cadet. Let's just say it was very difficult to get a conditional release. I had basically two more months to receive my release or I would have been kicked out of ROTC. I did not contract until the end of my junior year. I would say if you want to go active duty as an officer than do ROTC. If you want to go national guard or Reserves, you can get the GRFD scholarship. Just think on what you want your goals to be in life and do some research. Contacting the Assitant professor of Military Science can be beneficial and give you advice on what steps you should take. I assume you want to be an officer since you are thinking about ROTC. Also with a
torn ACL, it might be harder because you will need a medical waiver.