ROTC or Army Reserve?

[thehstrybean]

I've got a meeting with a Reserve guy tomorrow, but my school is getting ROTC back next year (college, University of Tennessee Chattanooga). I'm a freshman, anthropology (archeology and linguistics) and history (prehistory to classical) majors.

Anybody have any experiences?

 

[TallBill]

yes, I've had experience with both programs.

I was in ROTC in college and found it to be a joke, so I enlisted into the reserves. I found that to be a joke, so I went active duty where I have a very fullfilling job.

However, I'm currently ready to step up to be an officer, so I plan on finishing school and ROTC, to come back active duty as an officer.

You need to ask yourself what your goals are, and what each program can do to meet those goals.

 

[destrekor]

what would you rather do? Army ROTC typically has you commissioning as an officer in Active Duty (although here at OSU there seems to be an option to commission as an officer in the Reserves or National Guard).
with ROTC, you're going to be doing a class every semester (or quarter in OSU's case), PT in the morning a couple days of the week, and do a few other things with ROTC, dedicating more time to ROTC as you become a Junior and Senior. im a freshman at Ohio State and am loving the Army ROTC program. But its definitely not for everyone.
it's going to be hard to tell you one thing or the other. I could say ROTC all the way, but that's unrealistic because everyone is different and are expecting different things.

research heavily, and weigh your options.
but do help by giving me a few things you'd be interested in as far as the army goes, what you are expecting out of it (what do you want to get out of doing it), and how much time are you willing to commit.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: TallBill
yes, I've had experience with both programs.

I was in ROTC in college and found it to be a joke, so I enlisted into the reserves. I found that to be a joke, so I went active duty where I have a very fullfilling job.

However, I'm currently ready to step up to be an officer, so I plan on finishing school and ROTC, to come back active duty as an officer.

You need to ask yourself what your goals are, and what each program can do to meet those goals.

you are currently in Baghdad? What branch, what unit, what rank.. etc etc etc... and how long have ya' been in?

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: destrekor
what would you rather do? Army ROTC typically has you commissioning as an officer in Active Duty (although here at OSU there seems to be an option to commission as an officer in the Reserves or National Guard).
with ROTC, you're going to be doing a class every semester (or quarter in OSU's case), PT in the morning a couple days of the week, and do a few other things with ROTC, dedicating more time to ROTC as you become a Junior and Senior. im a freshman at Ohio State and am loving the Army ROTC program. But its definitely not for everyone.
it's going to be hard to tell you one thing or the other. I could say ROTC all the way, but that's unrealistic because everyone is different and are expecting different things.

research heavily, and weigh your options.
but do help by giving me a few things you'd be interested in as far as the army goes, what you are expecting out of it (what do you want to get out of doing it), and how much time are you willing to commit.

I want to become a leader. Really learn how to command and lead. I can do it now, but I want to be better at it. Someone that people look up to.

Job wise, I want to be a pilot or work with engines. Infantry would be cool too. I've got a friend in the NG, and he inventories breakfast batter. I DON'T want to do that...I can give a lot of time, and I'm willing too...

 

[TallBill]

destrekor, yes I've been here for 6 months now. 2nd deployment, first was to Afghanistan. I'm a SGT with a little under 3 years active duty. However, I ets when I return back home, and I'll be heading to do ROTC and continue my career.

And OP, if you really want to put time into the military, go active duty. Reserves/guard are very limited in their funds and training compared to an active duty unit. And if you decide to get out after 4 years, you'll be 26 with a college degree and military leadership experience. You'd be doing just fine as far as future employment goes.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: TallBill
destrekor, yes I've been here for 6 months now. 2nd deployment, first was to Afghanistan. I'm a SGT with a little under 3 years active duty. However, I ets when I return back home, and I'll be heading to do ROTC and continue my career.

And OP, if you really want to put time into the military, go active duty. Reserves/guard are very limited in their funds and training compared to an active duty unit. And if you decide to get out after 4 years, you'll be 26 with a college degree and military leadership experience. You'd be doing just fine as far as future employment goes.

are you suggesting to him ROTC and Active Duty? or just enlist in active duty?

 

[TallBill]

I'd suggest either ROTC or enlisting for active duty. Some argue that being enlisted first ehances your officer career, which is partially true. However, in the years that I've spent enlisted, I could have already been moving up the officer pay scale and learning probably just as easily.

For the OP, I'd say ROTC to active duty would be the best bet, since he is already in college. Plus he wont have to make up his mind on ROTC until he actually signs the scolarship. So if he changes your mind, he wont be locked into any obligations.

 

[50cent1228]

im very interested in this thread coz i was thinking about doing this

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: TallBill
yes, I've had experience with both programs.

I was in ROTC in college and found it to be a joke, so I enlisted into the reserves. I found that to be a joke, so I went active duty where I have a very fullfilling job.

However, I'm currently ready to step up to be an officer, so I plan on finishing school and ROTC, to come back active duty as an officer.

You need to ask yourself what your goals are, and what each program can do to meet those goals.

I've done both as well.

Enlisting in the reserves and joining ROTC are very different goals and not mutually exclusive.

You can join ROTC and get a reserve commission
You can join ROTC and simultaneously drill with a reserve unit through the SMP program
You can enlist in the reserves, join ROTC, then commission active (as I did). Going through BCT and AIT lets you skip the first two years of ROTC, but going to ROTC's basic camp over one summer lets you skip the first two years

Mleh...there's more combinations and options, I'm sure.

Remember this: With the current operational tempo, being in the reserves means you'll deploy as nearly as often as active soldiers. I'm sure you're aware of this, but ask yourself whether you'd rather go to war with reservists or would you rather that active army dudes had your back?

 

[TallBill]

The SMP is a huge gamble. Usually officers get commissioned to the reserves out of that. Sometimes you can get lucky and get an active commission, but good luck.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: TallBill
yes, I've had experience with both programs.

I was in ROTC in college and found it to be a joke, so I enlisted into the reserves. I found that to be a joke, so I went active duty where I have a very fullfilling job.

However, I'm currently ready to step up to be an officer, so I plan on finishing school and ROTC, to come back active duty as an officer.

You need to ask yourself what your goals are, and what each program can do to meet those goals.

fulfilling job in the military?!

elaborate pls

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: destrekor
what would you rather do? Army ROTC typically has you commissioning as an officer in Active Duty (although here at OSU there seems to be an option to commission as an officer in the Reserves or National Guard).
with ROTC, you're going to be doing a class every semester (or quarter in OSU's case), PT in the morning a couple days of the week, and do a few other things with ROTC, dedicating more time to ROTC as you become a Junior and Senior. im a freshman at Ohio State and am loving the Army ROTC program. But its definitely not for everyone.
it's going to be hard to tell you one thing or the other. I could say ROTC all the way, but that's unrealistic because everyone is different and are expecting different things.

research heavily, and weigh your options.
but do help by giving me a few things you'd be interested in as far as the army goes, what you are expecting out of it (what do you want to get out of doing it), and how much time are you willing to commit.

I want to become a leader. Really learn how to command and lead. I can do it now, but I want to be better at it. Someone that people look up to.

Job wise, I want to be a pilot or work with engines. Infantry would be cool too. I've got a friend in the NG, and he inventories breakfast batter. I DON'T want to do that...I can give a lot of time, and I'm willing too...

You can be a pilot as an officer but it's a skill position, not a leadership one. Working with engines is a logistics job, so you're rolling the dice about not getting a job inventorying batter.

You'll get a great experience with combat arms, whether infantry, armor (cavalry especially), or field artillery (fire support especially).

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: destrekor
what would you rather do? Army ROTC typically has you commissioning as an officer in Active Duty (although here at OSU there seems to be an option to commission as an officer in the Reserves or National Guard).
with ROTC, you're going to be doing a class every semester (or quarter in OSU's case), PT in the morning a couple days of the week, and do a few other things with ROTC, dedicating more time to ROTC as you become a Junior and Senior. im a freshman at Ohio State and am loving the Army ROTC program. But its definitely not for everyone.
it's going to be hard to tell you one thing or the other. I could say ROTC all the way, but that's unrealistic because everyone is different and are expecting different things.

research heavily, and weigh your options.
but do help by giving me a few things you'd be interested in as far as the army goes, what you are expecting out of it (what do you want to get out of doing it), and how much time are you willing to commit.

I want to become a leader. Really learn how to command and lead. I can do it now, but I want to be better at it. Someone that people look up to.

Job wise, I want to be a pilot or work with engines. Infantry would be cool too. I've got a friend in the NG, and he inventories breakfast batter. I DON'T want to do that...I can give a lot of time, and I'm willing too...

You can be a pilot as an officer but it's a skill position, not a leadership one. Working with engines is a logistics job, so you're rolling the dice about not getting a job inventorying batter.

You'll get a great experience with combat arms, whether infantry, armor (cavalry especially), or field artillery (fire support especially).

Ah man, I forgot about Cav! Sweet!

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: TallBill
The SMP is a huge gamble. Usually officers get commissioned to the reserves out of that.

Well yeah, if he's looking for the reserves...

 

[chusteczka]

I think the answer to this question depends on if you wish to complete your college education now or later wish you had completed your college education. The wars to test your youthful heroics will still be there when you graduate from college with a degree you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

If you join the reserves now, the army may be free to remove you from your classes before you have completed your degree. My advice is not to obligate yourself for anything until you have completed your degree.

Imagine being called for service just before you complete your last semester. I have seen it happen to several former students these past few years.

Ask yourself one thing private. What is more important to you?

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: TallBill
The SMP is a huge gamble. Usually officers get commissioned to the reserves out of that.

Well yeah, if he's looking for the reserves...

Wait, what's SMP and why is it horrible?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: destrekor
what would you rather do? Army ROTC typically has you commissioning as an officer in Active Duty (although here at OSU there seems to be an option to commission as an officer in the Reserves or National Guard).
with ROTC, you're going to be doing a class every semester (or quarter in OSU's case), PT in the morning a couple days of the week, and do a few other things with ROTC, dedicating more time to ROTC as you become a Junior and Senior. im a freshman at Ohio State and am loving the Army ROTC program. But its definitely not for everyone.
it's going to be hard to tell you one thing or the other. I could say ROTC all the way, but that's unrealistic because everyone is different and are expecting different things.

research heavily, and weigh your options.
but do help by giving me a few things you'd be interested in as far as the army goes, what you are expecting out of it (what do you want to get out of doing it), and how much time are you willing to commit.

I want to become a leader. Really learn how to command and lead. I can do it now, but I want to be better at it. Someone that people look up to.

Job wise, I want to be a pilot or work with engines. Infantry would be cool too. I've got a friend in the NG, and he inventories breakfast batter. I DON'T want to do that...I can give a lot of time, and I'm willing too...

You can be a pilot as an officer but it's a skill position, not a leadership one. Working with engines is a logistics job, so you're rolling the dice about not getting a job inventorying batter.

You'll get a great experience with combat arms, whether infantry, armor (cavalry especially), or field artillery (fire support especially).

Ah man, I forgot about Cav! Sweet!

You have only somewhat of a choice with the branch you go to. And once you end up in that branch, you also don't get to choose where you go.

Infantry you can go mech or light (good stuff)
Armor you can go either tank or cav (good stuff)
Artillery you can go among fire direction, guns, or fire support (good stuff)

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: chusteczka
I think the answer to this question depends on if you wish to complete your college education now or later wish you had completed your college education. The wars to test your youthful heroics will still be there when you graduate from college with a degree you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

If you join the reserves now, the army may be free to remove you from your classes before you have completed your degree. My advice is not to obligate yourself for anything until you have completed your degree.

Imagine being called for service just before you complete your last semester. I have seen it happen to several former students these past few years.

Ask yourself one thing private. What is more important to you?

I'd be happy to be disrupted from anything in my life to deploy with the military. In fact, I'm getting out, and it'll take 3 years for me to get back in as an officer, and my biggest downside to doing that is that I wont be able to go anywhere for 3 years.

I'd be highly upset if I was of able body and age and not directly involved with yet another major operation. I got to both Afghanistan and Iraq late in the game.

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: destrekor
what would you rather do? Army ROTC typically has you commissioning as an officer in Active Duty (although here at OSU there seems to be an option to commission as an officer in the Reserves or National Guard).
with ROTC, you're going to be doing a class every semester (or quarter in OSU's case), PT in the morning a couple days of the week, and do a few other things with ROTC, dedicating more time to ROTC as you become a Junior and Senior. im a freshman at Ohio State and am loving the Army ROTC program. But its definitely not for everyone.
it's going to be hard to tell you one thing or the other. I could say ROTC all the way, but that's unrealistic because everyone is different and are expecting different things.

research heavily, and weigh your options.
but do help by giving me a few things you'd be interested in as far as the army goes, what you are expecting out of it (what do you want to get out of doing it), and how much time are you willing to commit.

I want to become a leader. Really learn how to command and lead. I can do it now, but I want to be better at it. Someone that people look up to.

Job wise, I want to be a pilot or work with engines. Infantry would be cool too. I've got a friend in the NG, and he inventories breakfast batter. I DON'T want to do that...I can give a lot of time, and I'm willing too...

You can be a pilot as an officer but it's a skill position, not a leadership one. Working with engines is a logistics job, so you're rolling the dice about not getting a job inventorying batter.

You'll get a great experience with combat arms, whether infantry, armor (cavalry especially), or field artillery (fire support especially).

Ah man, I forgot about Cav! Sweet!

You have only somewhat of a choice with the branch you go to. And once you end up in that branch, you also don't get to choose where you go.

Infantry you can go mech or light (good stuff)
Armor you can go either tank or cav (good stuff)
Artillery you can go among fire direction, guns, or fire support (good stuff)

I'd be happy with either...I just wanna lead and shoot stuff...well, that's part of it...It'll all be exciting...

 

[thehstrybean]

So I talked with the recruiter, and he made it all sound very appealing....anymore thoughts?