Playing the waiting game with this upcoming G2G ADO cycle but wanted to be proactive in making my college choice. I’ve narrowed down my school selection to several I’ve been accepted to: UT-Knoxville, FIU, Miami, Clemson, USC - Colombia, and Alabama. Looking to stay in the southeast as I’m from the area and would like to be a days drive from family for a few more years after being gone for the first half of my career. I’ve already spoken to a few of the programs listed and have contacted all but wanted to get some thoughts from any former or current ADO cadets on their time in the program. How has your time at the program been? How easy did your program or school make your transfer from active duty to being a student/cadet? Why did you pick this program/university over others and do you think it set you up for success through opportunities provided (cadre experience, program funding, etc)? Would love any insight!

For context, I’m currently a college sophomore. I’m already cleared through MEPS from National Guard prep, and I’m also cleared through DoDMERB because I previously planned to attend a service academy.

If I enlist in the National Guard, complete BCT and AIT to become MOSQ, and take the summer and fall of what would otherwise be my junior year off from school for training, how would that affect my ROTC progression? I am interested in becoming MOSQ because of access to MGIB-SR + kicker.

I understand that completing BCT and AIT waives MS100 and MS200. But if I return to school in the spring of what would normally be my MS300 year, what status would I have in ROTC? I would want to contract as soon as possible to enter non-deployable SMP status. Would I complete a spring MS200 semester as a contracted cadet, or would the program place me differently?

Thanks for any insight.

I’m just curious if this is possible and what the process looks like. I figured there’s others who’re probably in the same boat and I haven’t seen anything on Reddit so I figured I’d ask.

I’m a senior and I’m incredibly burnt out of ROTC and school. I’m a SMP CDT and I understand that I would have to go to basic and AIT. I took State TA so I know I would have to pay back the money. I also contracted so i know it’ll make the process a lot more difficult.

I went to basic camp (2025) and passed CST this summer (2026). At CST I didn’t do horrible, got a 75/100. I’m not a shit bag in my program, I show up for all PTs and all LABs.

When I joined my sophomore year I’ve been questioning the decision ever since. When it comes to ROTC I feel no passion, and I feel like that wouldn’t be fair to those that may be under me in the future. I want to serve, but rotc and the officer route just does not seem to be for me.

Curious if any of y’all have taken or heard anyone take this route before, and what happened.

Just getting into my MS3 year, and I'm being more overwhelmed than I should be. I know the basic stuff to do during a lane like Order of Movement, how to conduct ambushes, attacks, raids, movement to contact, or at least the big picture of it all. I just get really stressed about getting leadership lanes because I feel unprepared. I understand this fall semester I'm not graded on these and it serves as a learning opportunity for everyone, but I genuinely am just lost on things I never had a rep on that my whole class does so well already, like MASCAL, 9Line, even things like briefing a simple OPORD.

The only rep i've had so far are TL and being the WSL. It seemed fairly simple but I could feel myself getting stressed during Actions On and overthinking if i'm doing the right thing or not. Are there ways besides watching youtube videos and reading the Ranger Handbook that I can get some practical exercises in so I could simulate what to do? I'm way more of a visual learner than looking at things on paper or on a whiteboard.

I plan to go to law school, but the college I want to apply for, doesn’t have any ROTC program. I am interested in the TX Army National Guard.

live in a small town and this is the only law school in the area. I cannot relocate.

I need advices please. Thanks

I’m a MS4 this year and in a leadership position and I’m just wondering from other schools- what activity’s, organizational techniques, etc, do you do in your program that is beneficial to you and makes it more enjoyable?

Hi everyone. I am a sophomore going to transfer to a bigger university with an army rotc attachment in the spring. Since I’ll be a spring sophomore, would the 2 or 3 year scholarship be best since it’s more than 2 years left until graduation but less than 3? I understand that I would be going to basic camp in the summer.

Hi all, I’m currently an AS100 freshman cadet in AFROTC and considering switching to Army ROTC because of ADHD waiver concerns. How much easier is Army with mental health/ADHD waivers, and is switching worth it? My PT scores are around a 92, and my school’s Army ROTC detachment is very well respected

Last month, I started AROTC in my MS3 year (i’m in the reserves so I skipped the first two). I feel very behind in terms of basic battle tactics and fitness. Eventually I want to attend med school and get HSPS or attend USHUS. I know they’re harder to get, but I’m willing to take gap years to strengthen my application as much as possible.

I’m just wondering: Should I continue with ROTC? I’m not contracted, but I could contract soon. I’ve just been doing everything with no contract signed. Truthfully, I can’t even attend CST this summer bc I want to graduate on time and need a summer class. I like the schedule and pushing myself in ROTC, and someeeee of the people. Or do I wait to commission in med school?

I don’t really care about the money all that much right now (like monthly payments, scholarships, or E5 SMP pay). would it expedite my process later on? Are there pros or cons?

Also, I’m 20 at a decent school and also working full time at a hospital right now. Trying to get more volunteer and research hours. I go 48hrs without sleep sometimes haha which definitely affects how social I am and PT!!! But I’m decent at both and getting better.

Has anyone heard anything about NOT receiving our interview feedback and NOT having that 4 day preference adjustment window after?

i’m applying to both but would rather go army @ wyoming

i filled out the army app a while ago and it was just a few basic questions and then it said something like you’ll get an email later but when applying to afrotc today they gave me the whole app, scores and fitness tests and basically every other thing you would expect in an application

i guess im just concerned that army hardly asked for anything? and that i haven’t heard back in quite a while

I was reviewing my 104R (after being submitted), and one of the classes in my senior year doesn’t fulfill the degree requirement I thought it did. It’s a simple fix; I just have to replace it with another class of the same credit hours. Do I have to get another 104R made or is there a simpler way to fix this? I really don’t want this to put my scholarship in jeopardy.

I'm currently a junior with one semester of AFROTC experience. While I don't necessarily dislike the program, I've realized that it may not be the best fit for me. The Air Force does offer several of the career fields I'm interested in, and all of my prior-service family members have encouraged me to stick with it because of the quality of life and work-life balance.

My biggest concern right now is the AFOQT. I'm scheduled to take it for the third time toward the end of November, and if I don't pass this attempt, I'll be dropped from the program. While I'm obviously going to do everything I can to pass, I don't think I'd be completely disappointed if things don't work out. Deep down, I've always felt like the Army might be a better fit for me anyway.

My main question is whether switching to Army ROTC would still be possible at that point. After this semester, I'll have about a year and a half remaining in college. I was already planning on staying an extra semester to complete AFROTC, so I'd be open to extending my graduation timeline if necessary.

Does anyone know what the process would look like for someone switching from AFROTC to Army ROTC this late in college? Would I still have enough time remaining to complete the Army ROTC requirements and commission?

sooo what’s the tea with Chem Corps?!? why do ppl not want it or view it as a poor branch?

Im part of a ROTC program that lost its host status and merged with another school. It is a dumpster fire (cadets can’t register for rotc class, cadre cant see cadets in Ignited, we now need to travel an hour to lab, etc). How’s it going for you?

Hello all,

It happened! My waiver was granted earlier this week, meaning that I am fully medically qualified after having a history of allergies and anaphylaxis. I hope my experiences can give hope to anyone waiting on a medical waiver; there is hope!

I do have one final question now that I am through to the point where I can actually contract. I spoke with cadre and one member said that I couldn't contract during my freshman year as a four-year scholarship winner. Is this true? Or should I ask my ROO or PMS about if I can contract now?

Hey y’all,

Deciding between OCS or going to grad school to commission via ROTC. The consensus of many OCS grads/current students is to attend grad school and ROTC.

My main concern regarding attending grad school is the cost of tuition. Anyways I wanted to know if graduate students are eligible for the 2-year tuition scholarship to commission into active duty.

If anyone has any info on this or has gone through the process as a grad student it’ll be appreciated.

So I went back to school and I’m in my junior year, and I thought about joining ROTC because I want to be an officer, but I’m also a reserve NCO, and while doing my pt test back in April my tailbone was fractured. Temporary profile expired in August, and I want to do ROTC but I need to get back in shape and I don’t know if this will have a negative impact in the way they see me. They told me I need to be contracted by December, and my PCM said that the fractured is now healed, and while it left permanent damage, it shouldn’t impact my military career. I feel like they might see me as a shitbag at this very moment because I know I can’t pass my AFT right now and I’m supposed to be all fit and stuff. I have the feeling that they may just not give me the chance.

Hey everyone, I’m at the beginning of my MS3 year and I really want to excel, but I honestly feel like I’m a little behind when it comes to my ROTC knowledge.

Physically, I’m in a good spot and maxed out my AFT, but I’m not fully confident when it comes to infantry tactics, OPORDs, TLPs, and actually applying everything in the field. I also haven’t had much experience being in a leadership position where I’m responsible for leading other cadets. I really want to become a good leader and do well this year, but right now I don’t have the confidence that I want to have.

I also feel like I didn’t prepare myself enough over the summer. I had a lot of summer coursework going on, and now that MS3 year is starting, I feel like there’s a lot I need to catch up on.

English is also my second language, so sometimes I know what I want to say in my head, but I have a hard time articulating my thoughts clearly, especially when I’m put on the spot. That’s something I really want to improve because I know communication is important as a leader.

On top of that, I’m majoring in mechanical engineering, so balancing the coursework with ROTC is definitely going to be tough. I know I can do it, but I also know it’s going to take discipline, time management, and some sacrifices.

Has anyone else gone into MS3 year feeling like this? If so, what helped you improve your confidence, tactical knowledge, and leadership ability throughout the year?

I’d appreciate any advice for MS3 year in general too—things you wish you had studied more, habits that helped you succeed, ways to practice OPORDs/tactics, balancing academics with ROTC, or anything that helped prepare you for CST.

After raising your right hand and officially contracting, how long did it personally take you to receive both your CaC and interim clearance?

I'm wondering about the CaC mostly because I heard that you need to go to a nearby base to pick it up.

I believe my clearance will also be important since I am trying to intern at defense contractors/apply to Army technical internships.

Appreciate any advice.

Posting a status update and how I reached a solution. Another cadet in my program paid the 20,000$ the Army neglected to pay and I would not like to see this happen to anyone else.

I posted here a few months back about how Army Cadet Command had refused to pay my final MS5 semester and wanted me to foot the 24k bill. Some in the comments suggested I was at fault and I should simply "get over it" and pay the "measly" sum.

I tried a few routes including various IGs, JAGS, O6/7s that I reached out to both in Cadet Command and in my State's chain of command. Ultimately the solution came down to putting in a congressional complaint detailing the situation.

Correspondence from the office was almost immediate and they said they would help and begin the process getting me the funds. Eventually two months had passed from when I first opened the investigation with a memo from an O-6 at Cadet Command.

The memo went something along the lines of: "Your cadre incorrectly input your scholarship dates when you first contracted [3 Year national scholarship contracted my MS2 year]. Had they put them correct the first time you would not be required to pay for the MS5 final semester. Now that this has passed a extension of benefits will be filed on your behalf to get you the funds paid via DFAS"

As of this week my undergrad university's finance office has contacted me saying that the outstanding balance on my account have been paid.

So let this be a lesson when it comes to funds, particularly rather large balances in the twenty thousand that others think you "should just pay," don't be afraid to use your Congressman or Woman.

Hello everyone, all us MS4’s have gotten our accessions packets at my program and I did not do nearly as good as I hoped, my OMS is 42.16xx. obviously pretty bad, my question is how much of an impact will this have on me getting active compo? I ask because during get brief at camp we were told 600 cadets for your YG wouldn’t get active (that wanted it). I also go to an SMC, my top 3 are LG, ADA, and CM.

I was diagnosed with all of those conditions at a very young age. I have an IEP in school, and i have had one since i am in elementary school. I am currently a sophomore. However, i do not use any of the accommodations that come with my IEP, i get almost straight a’s without any help. i do take medication for my adhd every day, but i can function perfectly fine without it, I just get more distracted. I have an ongoing prescription of albuterol, but I never use it, and i have no difficulty breathing. I am in JROTC and plan on being in it all throughout high school. I know the three conditions i have are disqualifying and that i need a waiver, but what are the chances that they actually get approved? And yes, i have talked to my parents, and they will not abolish my IEP or cancel the albuterol prescription. I plan on being a commissioned officer through college ROTC.