Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 1/12/2009

Question
I am seriously considering enrolling in ROTC while obtaining my masters degree. Are there any potential benefits (and set backs) by joining the military and enrolling in ROTC after my undergrad education? At what point in a military career should my masters degree start to provide benefits in rank?  
I recently graduated from College with a BA in international relations (poly Sci).I want to continue graduate work within the same field. Overall GPA was 3.5 (better in Major). 3 college semesters of Arabic. I am 22. If i choose to join the military, i am considering a 15 year to lifelong career in the military. I would like to perform intelligence analyst work as a commissioned officer.
If i choose to not spend the majority of my career in the military, what are the chances of having a successful 2nd career in another federal organization? (e.g. CIA, Department of State, FBI, Homeland Security ect...) Are success stories such as these common?  

Answer
Dear Chris --

Getting an advanced degree using ROTC is a good option, if it suits your needs and your time-table.

You will get your commission at an older age than most new officers, but that can be a good approach as you will have more maturity when you start leading your unit, or analysis teams.  You will still be young enough, that I do not foresee any unusual setbacks.

Unfortunately for the field you are studying, there are no financial benefits to the advanced degree.  The first time you will see a benefit is when you are eligible for promotion to field grade rank.  Most officers selected for field grade rank, will have earned a Masters degree, often in night school.

As a potential officer, you are not guaranteed a specific military discipline when you begin ROTC.  You will be assigned your branch during your senior year in ROTC based on your skills and performance and the military's needs.  If you will only serve in the intelligence field, then you should not go ROTC, and instead should look to a job in the CIA, State Department, etc. right now.  

A military retirement pension is not vested until you have served 20 years, so keep that in mind as you make your plans.  

If you have success as an officer, you can have success in other government professions, and many people have successfully made such a transition to the CIA, FBI, State Department, etc.  For a successful officer, the most difficult part of the transition will be getting your resume into the USA jobs database, so that you begin to make selection lists, and gain job interviews.

Good luck with your decision.  Please write back, if you have additional questions.