Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 4/6/2008

Question
I had sign up with the Army Resevse and shipping for basic training in May.  I recently learned about ROTC and the benefit of it.  (My recruiter didn't really mention much or any about ROTC to me)  I am currently enroll in College right now.  I am wondering if I can switch from Army Reserse to ROTC?  And if I can how?

Answer
Dear Luan --

Go to the nearest ROTC office and talk to the Professor of Military Science (PMS) or the unit Deputy.  You should be able to do one of two things -- change your reserve enlistment into a nonscholarship ROTC enlistment.  Then after a semester of good military science and academic scores, apply for an ROTC scholarship.  Scholarship program or not, when you graduate you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Or, continue with your reserve enlistment, and join the ROTC program non-scholarship.  This is called the simultaneous military program.  You will train during the summers and a weekend a month in your reserve unit, you will attend ROTC classes at the nearest program to your college.  When you graduate, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant.  The possible hazard with this option, is that you might be called up for active duty deployment before your college education is complete.  If you are willing to complete college over an extended period of time, then this is a good option.

Please write back if you have questions or would like more information.  Thank you for considering military service.