Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/13/2007

Question
My 19 year old son contracted with the army and is due to commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 05/08.  He has been attending an honor military school for the past 3 years, is ROTC and Army National Guard.  He has been informed he is eligible for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program.  What does he need to do to be able to switch from Army to Navy?  We heard the NUPOC was one of the best opportunities that will really help him in his military career.  He has received ROTC scholarships and National Guard tuition assistance.  We understand he will have to pay these back, is that correct?  The Navy will pay him a $3300 stipend per month to finish the next two years of college and get a Bachelor of Science Degree.  The Army, despite the fact that he has been serving, and will be an officer will only pay him $4500 per year.  Why the huge discrepancy in schooling assistance?  Thank you in advance for your assistance!!

Answer
I only take four questions a day, or I would be over loaded.  Please send your follow-up tomorrow.

Best regards.

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Dear Connie --

Although I cannot be certain, it sounds to me like the Navy will commission your son based on his Army experience, and his existing academic credits.  Then they will send him to school on an active duty scholarship rather than an ROTC scholarship.  The $3300 a month is his pay and allowances, not a stipend, and he will have to pay income taxes on the salary portion of his pay.

He should not have to repay the government anything for his ROTC scholarship or his NG tuition assistance because he will still be serving, only for the Navy not the Army.

The program he is being offered is an excellent program.  However, he will owe the government close to 8 years active duty service when he completes it (ROTC and NUPOC pay-back service).  If he knows that's what he wants to do, he should apply.

If your son has not signed his "senior ROTC" contract (the one that covers the last two years) he is not yet fully obligated to service in the Army.  In other words, if he is a sophmore or a junior that has not signed his scholarship paperwork this year, he can decline the Army's continued assistance with no obligation.  From what I understand in your note, however, he has already accept the final phase of ROTC from the Army, so he will have to apply for the NUPOC program and apply for release from Army ROTC and his NG commitment to accept a commission in the US Navy.  Nine times out of ten that release should be routine.  However, given the current shortage of good young officers, the Army may (short-sightedly in my opinion) choose to enforce his ROTC contract and insist he serve in the Army.  Still it does not hurt to apply for release and transfer.

If you have additional details, I should consider, please write back.  Best of luck to your son in whichever path he pursues.