I need opinions about me contracting with the Army ROTC...now?

Question

Hi. I'm about to contract with the Army ROTC (2yr program), and I'm not totally confident about what I'm doing. I went to LTC, and I liked it. However, I think LTC is kind of a recruiting tool so I really need honest opinions from soldiers and retired soldiers who knows the real deal.
I have no immediate friend or family who have served in the military (except my grandpa in WWII).
I decided to look into ROTC because I was miserable. I had no idea what to do with my life and the military just seemed to be the perfect fresolution.
I'm against the Iraqi War.
But I'm still willing to go there and follow orders. Maybe it'll help to have some diversity of political opinion within the military.
I feel like this is the only choice I have.
I had very little time to think about it because I decided to do this few months ago and have to contract before the next semester if I am to enroll in the 2 year program. Please give me an honest advice.

Answer 1

One point I noticed, the last thing the military/government want is someone with a different opinion about things.

Answer 2

The military isn't exactly a politcal forum. Remember that in ROTC you will come out as an officer and that comes with a lot of responsibility. If you're against the Iraq war, thats fine. But you had better not share those feelings with your men while you are getting ready to deploy. They will be looking to you for support and motivation.

Im not sure about the Army but I know the Air Force has a 4 year commitment. That isn't that bad. It is OK to dobt going into the military, I know I did but I have rebounded and decided to do 4 years and go from there It really depends on the person. For me, I am a family oriented guy so I think doing a 4-year trial run will be a good thing. And I think it may be the same for you. At worst, you leave in 4 years with a job winning item to add to your resume and a boat load of confidence.

Good luck it whatever you choose and always give your decisions 110%.

Answer 3

To be honest, it's not a matter of IF you go to Iraq, it's a matter of WHEN you go to Iraq. The military's job is to attack and defend. You had better make sure you want to go into a war that you are willing to sacrifice your life for or parts of it, that's the first thing.
Second of all, the military is a great place and a great experience. You will learn life lesson and do things you have never done. If you decided to contract, do it. It's only 3 years of commitment. The ROTC program is great and I am about to contract in a month. I was on active duty for four years as enlisted, got out joined the Guard, and figured civilian life was way to boring for me so I'm going back in. Just make sure your doing it for the right reasons and not the wrong. As an officer you don't need to join if your just "killing time". You need to know you will be a leader and in charge of 30+ soldiers who will look at you come life or death scenarios. Join because you want to lead and do something for the country, don't join to kill time. The fact is if you joined the Army right now you would have about 95% chance of getting deployed. Make the right choice, if you dont feel like contracting just go to PT in the morning, go their labs, ask to join an SMP cadet at a National Guard drill, feel it out. You'll make the right decision.

Answer 4

O.K. Here's honest advice. If you complete ROTC training you will be granted a commission by the President of the United States in which he will state that he reposes special trust and confidence in you. Your comment about the war in Iraq tells me you don't have special trust and confidence in him. And I don't mean the man. I mean the President.
As a Naval Officer on the Retired List who received that commission from the enlisted ratings after 13 years of service I believe I have earned the right to tell you to stay the hell out of ROTC and the armed forces. We don't need foggy thinkers. We need leaders.