What happens after you finish Army ROTC?

Question

I talked to the recruiter and he said that I might have to serve as a squad leader before I get to do what I chose for my MOS? What does he mean, does this happen to everybody? Has anybody here finished ROTC recently? What did you do? Did you get into the MOS you chose?

Please answer this question only if you have served in the armed forces...

I already have my Bachelor's in IT/MIS, but I want to go to grad school for IT or MBA. I would like to go into ROTC. Army is the only one that gives monies for grad school. He said I would be considered a 3rd year going in. I didn't understand what he said by "you might have to serve as platoon leader" before I get into the position i chose on the "dream sheet". Do they usually match a postion on the sheet with the needs of the army?

Well I already have my BS in IT/MIS. I would like to go to grad school, but army is the only one that offers ROTC scholarships for grad schools. I guess the recruiter told me that I might have to lead a platoon first, before I get into my chosen position. I am not exactly sure when this happens. I guess I am wondering what are the chance of matching on my "dream sheet" and does additional education give you a better chance?

ALso if I were to go right to OCS, would I be in the same position? Do I forfeit a bonus, that I read about, $8,000 for already having my BS?

Sorry about the repeat note, I get bad pop-ups, and it usually deletes everything I write. The second one is better worded.

Answer 1

If you are talking about H.S. ROTC....I cant help you.

If you are talking about the real thing (college) then I can tell you that you will never serve as a squad leader. That is an NCO job....now you may have a mock position similiar to that while in school...but not after you receive your commission.

Your senior year you will attend a couple Army schools (possibly Airborne, Air Assault, etc). You will also complete your "dream sheet"...where you pick your MOS and choice of station. You should find out what MOS you got before you graduate. Upon graduation you will go to OBC (Officer Basic Course). Which is very similiar to Basic Training, but with more paperwork....because that is what officers do.

Once you complete OBC you will attend a little Branch training, you will not become Branch certified, that will come a little later in your career. At your first duty assignment you will most likely become a platoon leader....unless the unit is full of junior lieutenants, then you will get a staff job (one of the S-shops).

Either way, keep one thing in mind....learn from your NCO's. They have been leading soldiers since you were in grade school. If you work with them, and not against them.....you will go further, faster.

Answer 2

I'm not exactly sure what he was talking about. I can only speak from my experiences which happened from 1998-2003. During your first year of ROTC you probably will just be in a platoon consisting of squads. You will start out as a squad member/team member. Your squad leader most likely will be a MS III (3rd yr student). As you continue on in the program you will gain more leadership positions. MS II's (2nd yr) are usually team leaders. With every advanced level of the program you will gain more leadership skills and you will have opportunities to display your leadership skills in various leadership positions. MS III's are platoon sergeants, squad leaders, ect. MS IV's are acting officers in the Battalion. During the MS III year you will be learning skills to help you at was previously known as Advance Camp which is 6wks of you being rated in your leadership values and skills. This is held at Ft. Lewis, WA and you would be attending during the summer between your MS III and MS IV year.

During your first semester of the MS IV year, you will be able to pick your top ten choices for your branch selection. For me, I didn't have any choice in the matter because I had already signed a contract in my scholarship that I would be branched into the nurse corps. I know that branch selection is a little bit different now than it was 4yrs ago. Talk to the ROTC recruiter about this. Every branch has a specific number of officers they need every year. They take several things into consideration (camp scores, grades, overall evaluations from your ROTC department) and then assign you based upon the needs of the army. Also during your selection of branches you get to make your "wish list" of what posts you would like to have as your first assignment. The assignments will be based upon the branch you are assigned to and how many new LTs they need there.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

That recruiter is making fun of you. He is saying that you may have to go to Iraq several as an infantry soldier before you get the job of your choice. Go in a different service, like the Air Force or the Navy. The Navy is probably the best service for training you for a job when you return to civilian life.
However, forget anything that puts you on the deck of an Aircraft Carrier or anything in the medical field. Lots of Deckhands get hurt and many medics end up with the Marines in Iraq, and it ruins there lives.

Answer 4

Now you have to complete another basic infantry type coure before the officer basic course.

You will be acting like a squad leader your junior year and that will be graded at the camp you go to that following summer.

Answer 5

Check out armyrotc.com.