I’m sorry about the late notice, but tonight (December 4th) at 6pm Pacific (9pm Eastern), I’m holding a Zoom info session about Army ROTC and specifically the National Scholarship process. I’m the ROO at Gonzaga University in Spokane (former PMS at Oregon State), and the Eastern Washington University ROO is co-hosting it with me. The link is on the attached flyer. Thanks.

I have just gotten a response from dodmerbs saying I was dq due to history of middle and inner ear surgery. My hearing test for dodmerbs was perfect 5's for every frequency. What exactly do I need to submit to dodmerbs to have the best shot of getting a waiver. I have a letter from my doc simply saying. I am physically finally and have achieved maximum medical improvement. Is that something they want or do I need to submit something else?

When applying for the ROTC Scholarship, does the program consider your senior year high school GPA or junior year GPA? Most of the scholarships I’ve applied for in the past used my senior year GPA for undergraduate scholarships, but I recall reading that the ROTC scholarship may only consider junior year GPA. Could someone clarify which is correct? Additionally, if junior year GPA is the focus, would earning college credit hours be sufficient to strengthen my application, or would pursuing an associate’s degree at a local technical college be a better option? Or would SAT/ACT scores be a savior?

P.S. I didn’t perform well academically freshman through junior year of high school, mostly due to medical reasons.

I'm trying to sign up for MS BOLC and I'm currently in Med services in National Guard. I recently got into med school and will be putting a packet in to become a medical student officer. Under this would I still go to the same BOLC that I would go to as a 70B? Thanks for the help!

I’m an MS2 SMP and I’ve been getting E2 pay instead of E5 all along. I’ve talked to my SMP cadre about this issue and they haven’t done anything. I’ve asked my recruiter to take a look at my LES for the past year, and it’s been a few weeks since a I’ve asked. Don’t really know who to go to or what to do.

Writing this as I have my ACFT tomorrow morning at 0530…

Sleep is huge for me but for some reason I can’t fall asleep when I need to, then I lie in bed wondering why I ever did ROTC.

The mornings suck but thankfully I can take a long nap after. What do/did you guys do your freshman year with a roommate and stuff, melatonin? Sucked it up? Help.

I am a EOCC and will get my branch this Thursday. I am curious to know how long I have to continue waiting to get my BOLC orders and what my chances of getting in a BOLC class early in 2025. I commissioned back in August and am just wanting to begin my army career rather that being in a stand still. I know it will vary based off of openings but what’s the projected wait time?

Hello! Early this semester I posted about some mental health struggles. Well, I went to see someone and was prescribed a medication for bipolar disorder due to some severe things that have happened in my past. Obviously, this made me ineligible for ROTC, and my program sent up a medical disenrollment packet for me. It’s been around 2-3 months from then and we haven’t heard back yet. My Human Resources guy at our program just reached out to me saying and I quote “We’ve decided to initiate your disenrollment from the program for the reason of “failure to maintain enrollment in military science classes”, because when facing these mental health issues, I was disenrolled from the class. I know that I wouldn’t have to pay back medical disenrollment tuition, but would I for this new reason? How should I tackle this? Thanks!

I was most preferred for MS, SC,and QM. None of the branches reached out with a email does that matter?

Hello all,

I am a university ROTC student. We are currently assigned a presentation to discuss how our program can improve cadet retention. I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas/insight on this topic. I have some vague ideas, but nothing definite.

Any help is appreciated!

Hi, I’m currently a senior in high school in North Carolina. I graduate this month in December I’m currently filling out fafsa and applying for colleges and I know I want to do ROTC and I want the scholarship, they didn’t put ROTC in my schedule this year for school and they didn’t let me change it so now I didn’t have ROTC for almost 4 months and I’m graduating in three weeks so I can’t really meet the requirements for ROTC scholarships. Is there anything that I can do or do I just have to pay the tuition and everything just like everybody else but I will still be able to be an officer.(I’ve done JROTC ALL THREE YEARS, PLUS THE THREE MONTHS I wasn’t even in the class and I still helped them out as Command Sergeant Major)

I'm currently slotted for the April 2025 MI BOLC (class 007), but looking to trade that for a seat in July (class 010) or June (class 009).

- April MI BOLC begins 14 APR 2025, ends 13 AUG 2025

If you are slotted for a later MI BOLC date and want to get into the April 2025 running, please DM me and we'll see if I can make the trade work.

Per HRC's current policy, the only way to change BOLC dates is to find a one-for-one swap with another Soldier (ideally in the same component -- I'm a Reservist).

I'm 29, with half a degree completed and no prior military service, and I'm not currently enrolled in college. I recently discovered the SMP program, which seems like a great opportunity to help me achieve my goal of becoming an officer while also fulfilling my desire to join the Army.

I’m too old for an ROTC scholarship, and while I already have a bachelor’s degree, my low GPA makes me uncompetitive for OCS. I went back to school and earned an associate’s degree with a 4.0 GPA while looking for IT jobs so I could work while finishing a second bachelor’s degree, but I haven’t had much luck finding employment.

In my state, using state tuition assistance requires a commitment to the Guard or Reserves. The Minuteman and GRFD scholarships have similar service commitments, so they’re not an option for me. Federal tuition assistance is also unavailable because I already have a degree.

Why do I want to do SMP? My local ROTC program is very competitive. I spoke with the ROO, and he seemed unimpressed and skeptical about bringing in an older, non-prior service candidate. That’s fair. I don’t want to disrupt their program. However, I think joining the Guard would show that I’m serious. Going through Basic Training and drilling could make me an asset to the program rather than dead weight.

Additionally, some Guard jobs come with bonuses, which could offset the lack of scholarship funding. The school I’d attend is very affordable, so paying out of pocket wouldn’t be an issue.

My questions are:

1. Should I join SMP even if I can’t get tuition assistance?
2. If I accept state tuition assistance, can I go active duty after serving the required two years of Guard/Reserve commission?
3. Would being in the Guard make me more competitive for ROTC and impress the cadre?
4. Is there enough time to enlist and complete Basic Training before the next fall semester?
5. Are SMP Cadets eligible for the ROTC stipend?

Anyone got their LOAs yet? I haven’t heard anything and just want to know when I’m gonna get my branch

Will be transferring to University of Nebraska Lincoln and curious what the program is like there. Currently an MS2 at a different school, but my major requires I change campuses after a 2 year pre track. Will eventually be meeting with the PMS of the program and tour the campus, but I’d rather hear perspectives of students in the program. Not sure how many of yall are on here but thought I’d try. Thanks

Good Morning everyone. I’d like some advice on something. I’m active army now but I’m really not interested in what I do. I struggle financially but we survive and have a little left over sometimes. I have a wife and baby. My question is I really want to do cool things/things I would be excited to do when I come to work everyday instead of just nothing in an office. I’m debating on Green to Gold NSO or putting in a packet for EOD. If you were in my position what would you do? I know it’s potentially a dumb question since officer don’t do a lot of hands on I’m just needing more money and I like being in charge but I also want to do more cool army things. I apologize if this was a dumb question and please let me know if it is. Any advice or your personal experience is appreciated.

So there are really good CG Reserve and Air NG programs in my state but my Army National Guard program is a bit lackluster. My state also makes you commission guard/reserves if you take state tuition assistance.

So my dilemma is I would rather be an Army officer, but I'd rather be an Air Force/Coast Guard/Navy enlisted reserves/guard. What is the disadvantage I put myself at by not doing SMP. Do the other branches basic/bootcamp also cover my need for The Basic Camp? Do you know if it would be unlikely to get my release approved to commission into the army?

Hi I’m a junior in high school, I just have a question about the SMP program, specifically reserve not National Guard. I was talking to my recruiter about this and she said I can only start SMP the summer after I graduate, but the National Guard Recruiter said I could start the summer after my junior year? Was hoping I could do basic this summer then AIT next summer so I can get the tuition assistance earlier (I was told I can only get it if I could complete job training) so I was wondering, which one is true. Thank you for your time.

If you guys know at this point, how is your program planning to do your branch reveal?

My program usually has a big event that cadre plan and put together, but I was just curious as to how other programs do their.

This is a gamesmanship/optimization question.

Im almost halfway through my junior year of college and would like to attend law school and then join the JAG Corps (not sure RA, AR or NG yet). If I wanted to also join ROTC during law school rather than wait, what method would bring me the most benefit in terms of time commitment and financial gain?

Thank you!

I just got a 4 year ROTC scholarship and am going in to sign papers but how long is the process and how many steps like brigade and division does it need to go through?

Reservist here and I’m starting school this upcoming spring semester and I’m planning to do Army ROTC as a non-contracted cadet my freshman year to receive my enlisted bonus, until my sophomore year comes I will request to go as a contracted SMP cadet

Okay, so I’m finishing up my first semester at Uni right now and like a dumbass I started to use weed regularly as a local dispensary just doesn’t seem to card. So for the past couple months I’ve used it a few times a week maybe. Again, given my interest in a career in the military and later intelligence or definitely something that would require a TS, stupid as fuck choice. But I have already done it and now just wondering the best way to move forward.

Honestly hoping that doing ROTC would help alleviate this use in the future as it would kind of show a history of me being a tested straight arrow (versus if I quit at age 18, didn’t join ROTC, and later went for some kind of intelligence job with a high clearance and my only proof that I’m “reformed” is me saying that I quit weed).

I exercise regularly and I am in decent shape, decent grades, otherwise ready. But I know this isn’t allowed.

Should I wait until sophomore year? Is that not enough (would be about 6 months removed)? Or maybe second semester of sophomore year? (Of course, planning to be completely honest and candid. )

I looked up some old threads from 9y ago and even then it didn’t seem like a huge deal so I’m hoping that it’s even less so now. Same thing when I’ve been doomscrolling security clearance subreddits. So really just hoping for some reassurance.

I’m an MS5 commissioning in December into Army Reserves. Was awarded signal as interim branch, but just awarded selection into army reserve aviation corps. Up until now aviation was #1 and I didn’t think there was much of a chance of me getting it. But now I’m having second thoughts as I’m a mechanical engineer major. Signal will definitely get me into a higher paying civilian job in IT, but aviation is just really cool to me too. The idea of opening a helicopter tour business / flying police helicopters could be interesting to me. I need advice, thanks in advance.

For context, I'm a 5'1 female and I weigh roughly 105-110 lbs. I'm currently a freshman in college studying engineering. My main concern is my size. I know I'm relatively small compared to the other girls and it makes me worried if that will affect whether I succeed or not. I've done the ACFT and have gotten a 535, but I'm worried about rucking. I've only done a few and ofc, I'm one of the slowest in my battalion. I know I have time to get better, but will my size play a major role in my success? Any help will be great. Thank you.

Currently in Community College and I’ll be a junior next year transferring to university.

Considering doing ROTC and I (as well my parents) want to know a few details about life as an officer.

How long exactly is the commitment, 4 years?

Do you get to chose/ have preference on where you move after, or do you get assigned and have no choice?

(This one is coming from my parents) what are the odds you get sent to a different country, or is it more dependent on what’s going on in the world?

Do you enjoy it?

I’m going to be majoring in finance, would I have military opportunities after this or would it be better to go civilian after for a job?

And can acft outweigh it? Kinda like how a high PFT let's marines get in without passing height weight

I am a junior in HS and want to do ROTC in college on scholarship. I am considering various universities in Georgia like GT, UGA, UNG, etc. I won't become a naturalized citizen until 2027 (end of freshman year), so a 4-year scholarship is out of the question. I've heard conflicting things about just participating in ROTC in college as a permanent citizen; does it vary by university? From what I understand, none of the universities allow participation if you aren't a citizen. I have heard about basic training summer camps that I can do to make up for missing my freshman year, but I couldn't find a lot of resources to back that up. Is ROTC out of the question? Should I just do OCS straight out of college?

Hi y’all,

I went to Cuba five years ago exactly around this time. I have family from my dad’s side who still live there and I truly do miss them.

I am in the Reserves, but also doing ROTC. When I joined, I tried to get a secret clearance, but was denied (no reason was told to me- but my suspicions were due to going to Cuba under my Mexican passport).

I haven’t commissioned yet and I’m not contracted as a cadet, but will I get denied again for a secret clearance? I would be entering Cuba this time with an American passport.

Even for joining ROTC, I refused to go to Cuba as I was in a MI unit- but I recently transferred to a new unit. It is sad that my family would text me, but I would not answer their calls as much since I wanted to distance myself from them even though I love them.

I kept my receipts of when I was in Cuba and was only there for a week meeting my family for the first time.

I saw my Snapchat memories today and I got sad since it’s been years and I feel like an asshole for doing them dirty. I just want to see them again 🥲