Talk to a Recruiter for ROTC?

[evan492]

Hi I have a question for anyone willing to help. I am 16 and a Jr. in high school. I have looked at the ROTC website, and requested and received the info package. Should a also contact a recruiter? I hope to become a military police officer. Also after ROTC do you attend basic?

[matthew.ritchie]

Hi I have a question for anyone willing to help. I am 16 and a Jr. in high school. I have looked at the ROTC website, and requested and received the info package. Should a also contact a recruiter? I hope to become a military police officer. Also after ROTC do you attend basic?

I would recommend talking to a recruiter now. The enlistment process is far easier to slow down than it is to speed up. You can complete some of the paperwork ahead of time, and also get your plan together. Additionally, starting early means that you're not rushed, and you can take time to be comfortable with the process, as well as react if something unexpected comes up.

You can serve in the Guard while in ROTC, and draw benefits and training from both sides. There are several ways to accomplish this. Tell me what's most important in your life (e.g., money for school, maximum training, minimum training), and I can give you more specific guidance about a plan for you.

Email me directly for additional guidance and recommendations.

[evan492]

Well I have talked to my parents about it repeatedly and they will not let me join before I am 18. I also always wanted to become an officer which is why I am doing ROTC. I want to complete my freshman year of ROTC before applying for a scholarship to make sure that this is what I really want to do. Money for school is important, but is not the main reason I want to do this.

[EOrsini]

What school are you looking to go to in NJ? I went to Rowan University. I spoke with a recruiter at 17 and decided that I would join the National Guard, then tried ROTC in my freshman year. I decided it was for me and signed the contract during my sophomore year after going to OSUT that summer. The first 2 years were slightly boring because it's mostly going over what you learned at basic and AIT, but I still learned a massive amount.
All in all, ROTC was def. worth the experience and being in the Guard as well helped me shadow an LT and see exactly what it takes.
Hope that answers your question

[evan492]

I actually am hoping to enter Seton Hall's program. So do I have to go to basic before ROTC? Or can I wait until I commit?

[SteveGuard]

Not sure if this makes a difference for you, just remember that the 100% Tuition waiver for NJ does not Apply to Seton Hall as it is a private school.

You can attend plenty of public schools, who run their ROTC program out of Seton Hall.

Such as the great Montclair State University.

Of course, this may just be personal preference for you if money is not an issue - or Seton Hall is your dream school.

[evan492]

Yea I knew about that. Montclair State is the first school I want to go too. Attending Seton Hall itself is a backup plan in case I dont get into Montclair state.

[EOrsini]

You really don't have to go to basic at all. If you choose to not join the National Guard and just contract with ROTC you will be a contracted cadet. Then you will just be in the ROTC program and only attend their functions. Then, just before you graduate you will make the decision if you want to be an active officer or a National Guard officer. Active Officers compete for their branch choices, National Guard Officers can get an L.O.A from any unit of their choice and be guarenteed the branch they want...
Any other questions? I'm an ROTC Guru lol

[evan492]

I'm an ROTC Guru lol

Lol I can definitly see that. So in the end, if I know which program I want to go to I really don't need to talk to a recruiter?

[andrew.tischner]

You can talk to me if you are from NJ. I can help you out with all aspects of ROTC as well as joining.

[andrew.tischner]

Lol I can definitly see that. So in the end, if I know which program I want to go to I really don't need to talk to a recruiter?


If you are planning on attentending college in NJ, it would be ashame not to join the NJ ARNG as well as attend ROTC


Not joining the ARNG means you cannot contract untill JR year.

VS contracting Sophmore year.


Not joining you would just get ROTC Stipend.


Joining the guard you will get Stipend, Drill pay, MGIB as well as state benifits (ie NJ is 100 percent free tuition regardless of a scholorship or not).


You can contract in ROTC as Active or GRFD, that would be your decision.


So there is every reason to see a recruiter. Like the Maj said , if you get in contact with one now it can lead to better and easier things for yourself.

[EOrsini]

You don't necessarily NEED to talk to a recruiter about it. But I would have to agree with the SGT above me in stating that it's a good option to explore. Depending on which campus you go to, there's an ROTC building and usually a NJ Guard recruiter within the building there to answer any of your questions... I went to Rowan University in south NJ and that was the case, and I now attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick and it's the same thing. There's recruiters everywhere. My best piece of advice is to explore EVERY option before going down a road. You may look back and find the road you went down isn't necessarily the one that was best for you. If you look at every option and make an educated decision, 99% of the time you'll be happy

[evan492]

ok thanks for the help guys. Really apprieate it