I’m currently in the process of going through DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) for a military program, and I have a bit of a concern. I recently noticed an anal skin tag and am wondering if this could be a disqualifying factor. It’s not painful and doesn’t interfere with any of my daily activities, but I know the DoDMERB process can be strict.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or does anyone know if something minor like this might impact my medical qualification? I want to be prepared for what to expect. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Currently a full time student at Penn State World Campus… I live about 3 hours away from State College so I wouldn’t mind driving the distance for labs once or twice a week if that’s how much it is. Is it possible for me to enroll? Or could I split my ROTC at a school near me if that’s possible?

Currently enlisted, 4 years AD now in the MDARNG.

Can PMS or Cadres pick and choose who they want to contract? I heard from my friends who I went to Basic Camp this summer together. He already completed all the requirements(passed ACFT & H/W, DoDMERB, 104,R, and Basic Camp Training)in order to contract, but the school does not contract him. He is very active in the program and rarely missed PT or Lab. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions!!!

BLUF: May lose accession because a deceptive hold on my account may force me to do another fall semester due to required classes already having been filled.

I get state TA from the guard and was very proactive about giving them the information they need. I had to request a transcript to be sent to the guard from my school, well I did that and their systems are dog shit and no one knew to follow through on my request. Meanwhile I’m thinking they already sent it and the guard is just processing things slowly. The week for the TA deadline I went to the registrar and cashier to get the transcript sent and to removed the hold on my account so I can finally register for classes.

That pretty much got sorted and I registered for 3/6 of my classes, the acceptable classes I need to take this spring are all filled up or ones I’ve already taken. I’ve never had the luxury to sign up for classes I want, instead I’m always scrounging for classes that meet required credits bc TA always makes me register late. I’m already taking an internship and a class over summer because those are required. So I’m already graduating in August, if I have to become an MS5, the lady who takes care of these things told me I may lose my accession. She’s very good at her job and helps a lot in our brigade so I trust her word as law. I literally came to college to do rotc and I have really good opportunities active duty side, if I lose my opportunities I’m just going to try to get out asap.

What can I do?

Is it possible to do GBR for another school/battalion as long as they have a slot? I live halfway across the country from the battalion I commissioned from and would prefer to stay local. Anybody have experience with this? There are 2-3 different battalions each about an hour from where I live.

Hey guys - thinking about taking the military route for getting my medical degree. The goal is to become an RN but I see there is the AMEDD which you could become an RN or other medical positions. Has anyone completed any of these? Were you able to transfer your military degree into a civilian workplace? I don't want to be away from my family and I know bootcamp isn't required. I am looking to complete school and not have to work and from the information I am getting they offer housing stipends, tuition fees, grants etc. Just trying to figure out the best career/education route for me.

Just curious

Do you have to be at least a captain to get MI? So no 2lts can commission in mi branch with no branch detail

Hey, I’m a non scholarship cadet and saw on ArmyIgnited that I have $4,000 available in tuition assistance. Is this something I can use to go towards my current tuition or is that just for additional education stuff like masters or summer classes?

Let me know if this isn’t allowed, and please spare me your political leanings. I am a contracted MSII cadet, I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria as a teen and have lived openly as male for the past 5 years. My DEERS says female and I signed a statement certifying I will not do anything medical while in the Army and am able/willing to serve as my biological sex, which I have been doing. I have cleared through DODMERB with the current regulations. With the new administration, if the “trans bans” come back, is there any telling how that may affect my path to commission?

Current ets is August so I'll begin terminal leave in the summer and roll right into school using GI Bill. I'm thinking about trying ROTC and returning to the Army. Id use GI Bill and try to earn the room and board scholarship, but even if not tuition is paid.

I keep getting emails about hip pocket scholarship. Would there be any benefit to me using this option? My understanding is I would just be possibly stealing a slot from another troop who is trying to discharge early to go to school. I will be discharging scholarship or not. Any benefits I'm unaware of that should make me apply to my Division/Command?

I’m an MSIII whose only Army experience was Basic Camp last summer. Compared to my peers, I feel incredibly unprepared regarding technical knowledge and know-how, just from what I’ve observed during my time in the program. What materials would you recommend to a new cadet trying to catch up and exceed the standard level of knowledge required to succeed in ROTC?

Labs and classroom instruction have helped, though I find it difficult to retain knowledge because we hop from one topic to another so often, and rarely review on past materials.

Dont need scholarship money, strictly interested in ROTC to get to my end goal

Some context… I’m 26 years old and already have a bachelors degree in marketing. I start nursing school in January 2025 as a junior. My ultimate goal is to be an active duty army nurse. I was interested in doing ROTC since this would be the fastest route to my end goal. However, the ROO for my university (University of Maryland) is telling me that they are way past their quota for the “nurse mission”. They were allocated 20 but already have 30 nurses. They don't have any active duty nurse slots to dish out when so many are already competing. The ROO informed me that if I did ROTC there would be a good possibility that when it comes time to commission they won’t have a active duty nursing spot open for me and I would have to commission as a random MOS.

Am I shit out of luck? Are there any other ways of achieving my goal as soon as I graduatewithout ROTC? (Direct commission needs years of nursing experience). If I DID go ahead and do ROTC, would I be able to commission as a nurse but to the reserves or national guard in order to avoid being stuck in a random mos?

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Hello. I am an MS3 cadet currently under waiver review for some psychological issues I was treated for 5 years ago. I was honest about it on my questionnaire and gave as much info as I could during my initial DoDMERB exam because although I understand on paper my medical history is cause for concern I KNOW it is not an issue for me now and I am confident it will not be an issue in the future. My concern is that the additional information DoDMERB requested alone may not prove I am in good moral standing the same way a thorough psychological evaluation could. But is that something I can ask for and if so would it be advisable to ask?

TLDR: Can/should I call the brigade nurse with my waiver and ask for a remedial psych eval to prove I’m in good moral standing despite issues from years ago?

So, I’m in my MSII year at my ROTC program. I have had a history of anxiety disorders and was on antidepressants till around March of 2024. DODMERB has asked for my pharmacy records going back to age 13 after I reported it. My situation however is that I’m not sure I want to stick with ROTC anymore, i’ve begun to get depressed again due to factors and situations in my life and while i’ve done everything non medication related (therapy every other week, meditation, exercise) They’re all starting to feel futile and I think I need meds again, it is my understanding that this is disqualifying but I guess what I’m asking is if there is anyway I could be on meds and ROTC at the same time with a waiver, as I know in the actual Army you can be on them. And if that’s not the case, like I said earlier my doubt about doing ROTC has definitely been feeling enticing given my current problems. Is mental health that bad with the military, is this something I could ignore till I commission? Would it be worth it? I would appreciate any responses, thank you!

I'm currently a Nursing cadet who signed a non-scholarship PCSA contract in April. The reason why I was a non-scholarship was because, to quote my program, "The Army is out of money". But by next fall (which is this semester), they said that the Army will have enough money for scholarships and that I can resign a new scholarship contract, so they made me sign some sort of PCSA contract at first, whatever that means, so that I could go to Adv Camp. Now that I've competed Adv Camp, I've downgraded to MSII level, thinking that I'm going to get the scholarship when I get back. It is now November and I'm still getting the same "The Army is out of money" excuse. Is there any way I'll be getting a scholarship at all?

Hello, I'd like to begin by saying I am completely new to this sub-reddit so I apologize if I am not following any procedure(s). I am currently a freshman in college. I was wondering if it is possible for me to enroll as a non-scholarship cadet in ROTC during the spring semester of my freshman year. I have tried emailing the enrollment officer at my university's ROTC office and haven't heard back for almost a month now. I was wondering if anyone on this forum knows about enrolling in Army ROTC for spring semester. I believe I have to take 2 different classes, is this true? I also did read some other posts on this sub and they mentioned some additional summer training I need to attend. Any input will help, thank you.

Hey all, I am currently about to enter the second half of my junior year as an Indust. Eng. major & I’m curious to know if the extra degree space is really worth it. I realize that signing onto ROTC is already going to take all of my time, but this degree does not make it easier. How much did your STEM degree help you get where you want to be?

For context, I’m a non contracted cadet in the guard who wants to compete for active duty infantry

I’m currently a 12B in the ARNG and plan on going to AROTC for either 11A, 12A, or 15A. I got accepted for Civil Engineering and start in Fall of 2025, and I’m trying to look for a branch that has the best experiences for civilian life and the best for specialty schools, training and being a good officer/leader. If anyone can help and give a day to day life as one of these branches that would greatly appreciate.

infantry officer (11A) I know the Army bread and butter is the infantry, they usually get pick for all the schools and jazz I know the Infantry has basically zero skills that transfer to the civilian. But is it enjoyable or has any perks, how often does an infantry officer deploy and how is the quality of life? And is specialty schools guaranteed with being an infantry man.

Engineering officer (12A) Does being an Engineer officer (12A) have anything that translates to the civilian life? I know the National Guard is mostly the construction side of things but does active duty officer also plan construction projects or lead maintenance? And how often do engineers officer deploy and their rates for specially schools like Rangers, Airborne, Air Assault, and being picked up for Rangers or Special Forces?

Aviation officer (15A) I know the contract is 10 years for aviation officer, but does aviation officer have a chance to go specially schools like mostly airborne, Air Assault, Military freefall? and have a higher chance to get picked up for the 160th. Also do aviation officer have a chance to be a pilot or anything outside of the military? What’s the day to day life of it and an opportunity and the changes of deployment.

Mostly an ROTC and a general officer question but can officer switch branches if they’re going from Active duty to National Guard/Reserves. Like start out as an Active Duty Infantry officer then go aviation/engineering officer in the NG/reserve. Also how does branch detailing work?

I’m currently teaching myself German and Spanish, and my parents are not pushing me to learn Chinese too- so I can do project GO this summer. But I’m worried that learning all these languages at once will cause me to burn out😅

Is project GO worth it? Did you enjoy your time in the program? Do you think that you became a better cadet through the program??

Info: I’m an ms1 nursing major

As the title suggests, I am, or was, in the SMP program. My MOS designation on my DD4 form is 09R. I have recently dropped out of college due to some family and financial issues and wonder what happens to my MOS designation and my paygrade. I contracted as an E-3 but was administratively promoted to E-5 and wear the dot instead of chevrons. Am I a PFC now? What is my MOS supposed to be? I drill with a chemical unit and my ROTC department said I’ll most likely be defaulted to a 74D CBRN Specialist. But that just doesn’t make sense to me. Can someone offer any advice?

hello,

i participated in underage drinking this past halloween as a college freshman. it was my first time getting drunk & i lost control.

my friend called for medical help & i was taken to the hospital ER where i stayed the night.

i am a 4-year scholarship cadet. the doctors reassured me that this incident would only be part of my medical record, but my rotc scholarship covers my health insurance.

is there a chance i could lose my scholarship? thank you.

Hello. I am a community college student and transfered into a CSU with arotc. However I don't like my current CSU and want to transfer to another for spring. Am I able to do 1 semester at a CSU in a different brigade and do the rest of the 3 semester and the other brigade?

Hey y’all I just found out I received a four year national scholarship (very hyped) so am starting the process of getting DoDMERB scheduled. I think I should be pretty good but am worried about vision. I have -3.25 in both eyes and a slight astigmatism. I can’t find an exact disqualification number anywhere and so wanted to ask if anyone knows around the benchmark they cut off at? Thanks!

Whats the best job to commision after rotc if i actually want to be doing more than sitting at a desk. I really do not want a desk job and i know that is hard because I will be an officer. I was looking intel but read that most intel officers dont do any of the intresting stuff and end up sitting at a desk. I would like a job where there is a chance of deployment and basically one were im actually involved in the field.

alright so my room an board request on army ignited was approved on 9/25/24, however it's been over a month, so what is the typical time it should take?

Good morning ,

My ARotc application currently says Boarded/under consideration so I did not receive a scholarship on the first board. I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to improve my chances on the second board. Thanks

I have a 4.26 gpa and am Captain of Varsity Soccer, have a lot of accomplishments in sports and leadership regarding them so still hoping for a good shot at the next board .

Noob alert sorry. I've read that there is no maximum, but do some cadets literally interview every branch? How many did you personally do? Which one was the most and least stressful? Do some cadets interview for "practice" with branches they don't want?

Just got my taps and have it set up. Usually I like to mess with gear at labs or exercises before going to the field or drill with it but my ftx is in like 4 days and I can’t stand the flc another second.

1. Is the admin pouch too bulky?
2. Is there something that is wrong that I should change?
3. Suggestions from experience for personal comfort?

After so many warnings to not join this ROTC program, and red flags. I have decided to talk to my cadre as I am planning on disenrolling. I am a current Master’s student and don't believe that this is the route I want to take anymore. I just don't believe I am doing well in the tactical stuff and I am very disconnected from those in my class. I got thrown in as an MS3 with no prior service, no MS1 or MS2 year, and no basic camp until this summer. I lost my confidence in being in the program. I can't connect with anyone else here as I am significantly older and 99% of the time feel out of place. I had MS1s and MS2s who complained about my leadership when I enforced the rules and those above me complained about how much I should give people lead way, grace, etc. Everybody just seems hypocritical. They tell us to enforce the rules and when we do they complain about it. I just don't have time for unstructured and unmeaningful guidance, and if one thing applies the other doesn't for others. There is no accountability, but lots of micromanagement of other cadets that aren’t even MS4s… I just don't respect that… The disorganization, hypocrisy, and so much more. Yet, this is supposed to be the leaders of the armed forces. I'm good. I see why so many people complain about toxic leadership. It starts with “us.” Maybe it is just me, but I would have thought this ROTC program would be a bit more professional or have more mature individuals in place, but it is very drama-filled, people are messy and weird, and I don't know if I am just at the age, where I am like, I am not in high school/middle school anymore and these folks act just as that. I am too grown up for the drama and petty BS that is going on here. I feel like I wasted my time signing a contract. I feel like having this program as cadet-led is something that shouldn't be taken into account when you have cadets who are horrible leaders and feed into drama/mess. I would personally not want anyone in my class to “lead me.” I don't even feel safe around any of these people. So, I rather just get out while I can. I wanted advice on what I should do, but it is clear now that this opportunity is for others and not for me. I feel very isolated right now and disconnected, so I think it is just best for me and my class to disenroll. I wish I had gone to basic camp before starting these classes, but I don't go until this summer coming up. I just don't like feeling not informed or properly prepared as others in my class that's been here, and I think I have to just let this program go…