<p>Out of curiosity... I know that after army rotc there is an 8 year commitment containg both active and inactive service. If the first 5 years of service are in the active army, does that mean you cannot have a civilian career after college (civilian college). I have heard that i is possible to do so i you went reserves, but I was not sure that you would have to hold off on things like internships and job interviews during and after college. Does anyone know what the situation would be if one were to say scholarship in rotc? Does that mean you are unable to get a civilian job until after 5 years?</p>
<p>This was in the 80's but I was able to get "defferments" through 4 years medical school, 6 years residency and fellowship, but it was by no means guarenteed. I felt I could be called in at any moment. I had am undergrad scholarship and agreed to a four year commitment at some point into it ( didn't realize I wasn't truly commited until during or after the second year). I didn't sign up for another scholarship/commitment once I began to understand things a little better. IMHO, I was NOT ready to make an informed decision at 17.</p>
<p>What did you end up doing. I mean, I dont mind doing rotc (I currently go to USMAPS) but I am concerned that I wont be able to pursue a career after college because of my commitment. I too plan on being in the medical field.</p>
<p>Pediatrics, then Psychiatry, then Child Psychiatry.</p>
<p>A suggestion from the inside. Go to ROTC on a four year scholarship. During the junior year request it is changed to a GRFD scholarship in NG or Reserves. You can also request during the SR year to access RC. In 6.5 years of working in ROTC I have never seen this denied because the RC is undermanned. Call the PMS at the school you want to attend.</p>
<p>While you are active duty you won't have time for a civilian career (you'll already have a job/career), so why does it worry you? Are you looking to join the military, leave, and start something completely different from your military job?</p>
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I am concerned that I wont be able to pursue a career after college because of my commitment.
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<p>Please forgive me if I am missing something obvious here, you do understand there is a connection between taking $100,000 to $200,000 in scholarship money and the commitment to serve which is understandably tied to the benefits you enjoyed as you completed your college education on our dime?</p>
<p>I think that rightous needs to contact the Guard or Reserve. See exactly what their scholarship programs offer. By nature, guard and reserve are a part time military. 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. They may be able to offer him college, a commission, and a weekend position where he can pursue a civilian career. Just a thought.</p>
<p>^^^ that advice makes the most sense assuming we are interpreting the question being posed correctly</p>
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A suggestion from the inside. Go to ROTC on a four year scholarship. During the junior year request it is changed to a GRFD scholarship in NG or Reserves. You can also request during the SR year to access RC. In 6.5 years of working in ROTC I have never seen this denied because the RC is undermanned.
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<p>never seen this denied is not a guarantee; rightous, just make sure you keep that in mind before you go down that path and end up taking the scenic route to your career through Afghanistan....because you are the exception to his rule. </p>
<p>If you want to serve this nation and become an officer and a member of our armed forces on active duty and/or in the reserves, go down the path of ROTC, if you just want to get through college without student loans, start thinking about other programs. </p>
<p>The were a lot of folks in the reserves and guard that ended up in Iraq, despite the fact they may have been told they were just going to be weekend warriors and could have "real jobs" on the outside without having to worry about ever being called up. It can and may happen to you. Don't lose sight of the fact that it's a part of the package. </p>
<p>Cornell you posted in response to another question along similar lines; </p>
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ROTC is at 273 host and 1000 cross enrolled schools with no obligation in the first year to keep going. 1 out of 4 for free and you may decide to stick with it or just get the first year free.
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<p>as we you are not talking about a book club where you sign up for 4 and come away with the first book for free even if you drop the service, I have to say I find it somewhat troubling as you are "inside" and advising young men and women to go down the path of ROTC scholarships with the expressed intent of using that opportunity to obtain a "free" year of college. Obviously it's not against the law, but it certainly troublesome on many levels. </p>
<p>Encouraging young men and women to consider military service is a good thing, using a 50k tuition "bribe" framed in such a way just to get their foot in the door wouldn't be my first choice.</p>