National Guard + ROTC

[Wintered]

Hi,

currently I'm a high school senior enlisted in the National Guard (I finished BCT a few months ago). Before I joined, my recruiter told me that if I joined ROTC in college, that I would be undeployable until I went to officer status. This was one of the only reasons that my parents signed the papers, because they wanted me to finish college before I would be deployed.

Recently, I've read that you're not fully in the SMP program until you reach the ROTC Advanced Course in your Junior year, which went against what my recruiter said.

What I'm wondering is if there is a scholarship that would put me in the undeployable status through the Basic course. If there isn't, that's fine, because I joined to serve my country and am willing to deploy as an enlisted soldier if need be.

Also, does anyone have information on the "College First" program?

Thankyou,
Wintered

[matthew.ritchie]

Of course, you can't be deployed until you are fully trained -- completed Basic and AIT. By Army G1 policy, ROTC cadets are not deployable as long as they contract at their earliest opportunity.

Speak to your ROTC cadre about getting a three year ARNG ROTC scholarship. This is perhaps the best deal in the Army.

[Polo08816]

If someone is in both ROTC and ARNG, how long is their military service obligation (drilling status) as an officer? Does the ARNG ROTC scholarship extend the MSO (drilling status) out to 8 years?

[matthew.ritchie]

If someone is in both ROTC and ARNG, how long is their military service obligation (drilling status) as an officer? Does the ARNG ROTC scholarship extend the MSO (drilling status) out to 8 years?

ARNG scholarship requires eight years of drilling with the ARNG (any state) after commissioning. You can change units, branches, states, as long as you serve in the ARNG somewhere and somehow for eight years of drilling.

[Polo08816]

Does being in the SMP mean that you have a scholarship? What is the commitment for someone in the SMP program who does not take any scholarships? 6 years?

[matthew.ritchie]

Does being in the SMP mean that you have a scholarship? What is the commitment for someone in the SMP program who does not take any scholarships? 6 years?

No one will force you to take any financial incentive. Non-scholarship ROTC cadets who commission directly into the Guard incur a six year drilling obligation. It's only two more years of service if you take the scholarship, so it seems pretty worthwhile to me.