| ROTC offers path to commission in Army National Guard |
| By the Officer Strength
Management Office, Ohio Army National Guard COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is one of the best leadership courses in the nation and is currently offered at 13 host colleges and universities and 26 satellite schools in Ohio. ROTC is an elective curriculum taken in tandem with required college coursework. The coursework is designed to provide the skills, training and experience necessary to lead Soldiers in combat. At its culmination, cadets earn the distinctive gold bar rank of a second lieutenant. Current Ohio National Guardembers may join ROTC through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Completion of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training fulfill the Basic Course requirements and allow Guardmembers to enroll directly into the Advanced Course during their junior year, although many cadets choose to participate in the ROTC Basic Course during their freshman and sophomore years. Upon contracting into ROTC, SMP cadets are non-deployable for the duration of their undergraduate education. This joint venture allows Soldier-scholars the opportunity to enhance leadership skills through close partnership with a platoon leader or platoon sergeant. ROTC offers many unique financial incentives for cadets who participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program, with potential annual earnings totaling $16,308.80. Incentives include advancement to the grade of E-5 for pay purposes ($241.88 for a typical drill weekend); the Montgomery GI Bill ($309/month) and GI Bill Kicker ($350/month) for those who qualify; a monthly stipend of $300-500, dependent upon academic standing; and yearly federal tuition assistance of $4,500; and the Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program, which pays 100 percent of yearly tuition at state-funded colleges and universities, and a comparable amount at private institutions. In addition, cadets may contract for an ROTC scholarship, which pays uncapped full tuition at any ROTC participating school. Dedicated Army National Guard (DedARNG) scholarships are available to ensure placement in a National Guard unit upon commissioning. SMP participants may be offered training opportunities for Airborne, Air Assault, and Mountain Warfare schools, through the ROTC department. Newly commissioned officers may be eligible for the $10,000 officer accession bonus, dependent upon the critical needs of the Army National Guard at commissioning. For additional information, contact 2nd Lt. Stefanie Kuntz or 1st Lt. Bruce Hubert at (614) 376-5018 in the Officer Strength Force, or log on to: http://www.ohionationalguard.com/osm/.
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