My Opportunistic Friend Is Joining The Military

[colcifer]

A friend of mine is joining the reserve for the college money. I haven't seen the contract (I just found out tonight) but the way I see it, she bails and owes the military a large sum of money (a recruiter told her she could bail obligation free after a year if she wanted but I don't believe that) or she ends up in service (while I praise those who do serve, now is not a time you'd want a friend joining).

So, I turn to TBOT to make up for my poor google-fu. If you know about the ROTC programs, please post. If you have anything else to add, please post. If you ask for pics, this.

Thanks,
c

Disclaimer: That link isn't meant as a threat, just a reminder of how seriously uncool it would be of someone to ask for pics in this thread.

[KillerNeuron]

You are correct. They cannot "bail" unless they consider being involuntarily medically discharged or discharged on grounds of disciplinary action.

ROTC isn't a bad deal, depending on what you actually pick as your specialty branch. Yu certainly get your education paid for, and some sort of medical care (although I can tell you first hand that it's ******, and even moreso for women).

Good luck to your friend.

[8liter]

If a person wants to do it, I see no problem.

Honestly, I owe the ROTC a lot. For young people who didn't do so well in High School and want to get into college, the ROTC is a great way if you need money and just want to get out there.

Prime example is me. I moved to Key West my sophomore in high school. I started getting in trouble and my grades dropped (severely), stopped doing sports, etc... I mean I didn't even find out I was going to walk until 3 days before I did, that bad

Anyway, I started taking classes at the local CC. Started slow and then realized....I have a knack for mathematics. Like a serious one, lol. I took basic stuff and was like hmm.... I started taking college algebra and trig in the same semester, then took calculus 1 and 2 the next semester and finished up my AA degree in just over a year. Low and behold I was on track for a Mechanical Engineering degree. Now I'm working online with University of Central Florida to take a few more online classes before I move to Orlando because that city is $$$$$ and I am dead broke.

So, since my family is military back ground I decided to look into the ROTC programs they had because my family is old school and I have to pay my way through school and pay for everything I own. I ended up choosing Army (family thing, I was raised by a Army Colonel and my big bro is a Army pilot). So now I have full tuition paid and help for housing. All I have to give back is 4 years of my time (making good pay as a Officer I might add) or choose to join the reserves for 4 years.

I am doing active duty and if I don't choose to make it a career I will go back to school and study music. Good thing is that I will have excellent health benefits, education, good money, etc...

That is just my experience, hope it helps.

As far as getting out of a contract, I believe it IS true that you have one year to decide (I can call some one tomorrow and give you a real answer, if you want). I know they won't force you to do it if it just isn't for you. That is for ROTC, though. Active duty and reservist is a different ball game.

The benefits you will receive extend to your family as well. When my mom had cancer her bill for surgery and other things was over the 3 million dollar mark. All paid for since my dad served.

I wrote a book, lol!

So if your friend really wants to join, I say support her. It's a big step to make and not a easy one.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Great post 8liter.

The system over here is pretty far from what You guys and gals have there in US, but as a someone who's done his predetermined time in our military institution, and came out as a sergeant, Id say it's a great thing that Your government is willing to do that.

BUT, and that's a big but.

IMHO anyone who takes up a job/contract/position that's labelled as "dangerous", has to go in for the right reasons. Any military job falls into that category in my book.

I don't view money alone to be that right reason.
The armed forces, the peacekeepers, the police, the fire department etc., they do not need anyone in their way out there who's "just there for the money".

If Your friend is determined to do whatever she wants to do for the reasons that are right to her, do support her desicion instead of trying to keep her close and "safe".

Just my 0.02€
Sam

[rr5025]

When I did NROTC I had two years. If I continued into my Junior year then I was obligated to stay in (pretty much the point of no return).

Had I gotten a scholarship prior to that (fresh and soph years) and decided to leave then I would have had to pay that back. That's what I was told so TWIW.

[colcifer]

Originally Posted by 8liter

If a person wants to do it, I see no problem.

Honestly, I owe the ROTC a lot. For young people who didn't do so well in High School and want to get into college, the ROTC is a great way if you need money and just want to get out there.

Prime example is me. I moved to Key West my sophomore in high school. I started getting in trouble and my grades dropped (severely), stopped doing sports, etc... I mean I didn't even find out I was going to walk until 3 days before I did, that bad

Anyway, I started taking classes at the local CC. Started slow and then realized....I have a knack for mathematics. Like a serious one, lol. I took basic stuff and was like hmm.... I started taking college algebra and trig in the same semester, then took calculus 1 and 2 the next semester and finished up my AA degree in just over a year. Low and behold I was on track for a Mechanical Engineering degree. Now I'm working online with University of Central Florida to take a few more online classes before I move to Orlando because that city is $$$$$ and I am dead broke.

So, since my family is military back ground I decided to look into the ROTC programs they had because my family is old school and I have to pay my way through school and pay for everything I own. I ended up choosing Army (family thing, I was raised by a Army Colonel and my big bro is a Army pilot). So now I have full tuition paid and help for housing. All I have to give back is 4 years of my time (making good pay as a Officer I might add) or choose to join the reserves for 4 years.

I am doing active duty and if I don't choose to make it a career I will go back to school and study music. Good thing is that I will have excellent health benefits, education, good money, etc...

That is just my experience, hope it helps.

As far as getting out of a contract, I believe it IS true that you have one year to decide (I can call some one tomorrow and give you a real answer, if you want). I know they won't force you to do it if it just isn't for you. That is for ROTC, though. Active duty and reservist is a different ball game.

The benefits you will receive extend to your family as well. When my mom had cancer her bill for surgery and other things was over the 3 million dollar mark. All paid for since my dad served.

I wrote a book, lol!

So if your friend really wants to join, I say support her. It's a big step to make and not a easy one.

Thanks very much for the book! Like you said, if a person wants to do something, it's their choice so I'm supporting her.

Many thanks also to everyone else.

[Jhengsman]

Originally Posted by rr5025

When I did NROTC I had two years. If I continued into my Junior year then I was obligated to stay in (pretty much the point of no return).

Had I gotten a scholarship prior to that (fresh and soph years) and decided to leave then I would have had to pay that back. That's what I was told so TWIW.

I did the Army ROTC Basic Camp which was in lieu of the first two years of college classes. basically you went to an abbreviated basic training course at Fort Knox and the obligation only occurred if you went to ROTC for the junior year.

I remember a cadet in my National Guard unit did drop out after a few months. Its been so long ago I forgot what happened to people who went the junior year but did not continue with school or the ROTC program.