Virginia Army National Guard Army ROTC Simultaneous
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Virginia Army National Guard Army ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Fact Sheet ARMY ROTC Interested in becoming a United States Army officer? Then the Simultaneous Membership Program may be for you. This program allows you to be a member of the Virginia Army National Guard while simultaneously participating with an ROTC program in college. Joining the Virginia National Guard in college does NOT restrict you from requesting an active duty commission when you graduate. Rather, you will still have the option of commissioning into the Army National Guard, Army Reserves, or the Active Duty Army. The numerous professional and educational benefits to joining the VA National Guard are detailed below. Education & Financial Benefits - Out-of-State students who join the Virginia National Guard (NG) will receive in-state tuition rates at most public universities in Virginia after completion of Basic Training. -Up to $8000 per year State Tuition Assistance (paid directly to the university) begins after completion of Basic Training.* -$4,000 per year Federal Tuition Assistance (paid directly to the university) begins after completion of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Applies to non-scholarship cadets. - $370 per month Montgomery GI Bill (paid to YOU while enrolled in classes) after completion of AIT** - $200 to $300 per month, weekend drill pay begins as soon as you sign up with the Guard and start drilling with a unit. -Two to Four year Dedicated National Guard Scholarships are available for students that are sure they want to commission into the National Guard upon graduating from college. - Upon contracting SMP, you will start drawing E-5 pay and receive the ROTC stipend ($420 per month) for your respective ROTC Military Science (MS) year group. *** Training & Experience Benefits Non-scholarship cadets will attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) and gain a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) upon completion of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Three different training options are possible, depending on training availability and MOS. 1. Summer Option: Complete BCT and AIT in one summer (available to limited MOS’s) 2. Split Option: Complete BCT one summer and AIT the following summer 3. Semester Option: Get a leave of absence from the university and take a semester off from college to complete BCT and AIT *Reimbursement conditions may apply upon graduation for individuals accessing Active Duty. ** If you receive a three year, Dedicated National Guard Scholarship, you will not receive the GI Bill *** Can contract SMP as an MSII (Sophomore) if you have a Dedicated National Guard three year Scholarship, otherwise you usually contract SMP as an MSIII (Junior). The National Guard has numerous units located close to universities throughout the state of Virginia. Freshman and/or sophomore years in college (MS I and MS II years of ROTC), you will spend time as an enlisted soldier in your National Guard unit. Time served as an enlisted soldier can help you be more in tune with those you will lead later as an officer and Platoon Leader. Understanding what it is to be a soldier can help you become a better leader! During your junior year in college (MS III year of ROTC), you will be assigned to an SMP position. At that point, your enlisted career comes to an end, and your training as a future officer begins in earnest. The purpose of drill weekends as an SMP cadet is to prepare you for your role as a future lieutenant through an officer mentorship program with hands-on experience. Options Available Simultaneous Membership Program – a two year non-scholarship contract (MSIII & IV years); remain eligible to commission as an Active Duty Officer! Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty (GRFD) Scholarships – a two year scholarship contract (covering MS III & IV years); locks you into a commission with either the Army Reserves or Army National Guard. Dedicated National Guard (DEDNG) Scholarships – two or three year scholarship contract (covering MS III & IV or MS II, III, & IV years); locks you into a commission into the Army National Guard. __________________________ All three of the options above require you to drill with a National Guard or Reserve unit (one weekend per month) while in college. GRFD and DEDNG Scholarship cadets are not required to attend Army Basic Training or AIT, whereas non-scholarship cadets who desire to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program are required to have completed both Basic Training and AIT. _________________________ As mentioned previously, Cadets serving in the Virginia National Guard can get in-state tuition rates (starting the semester after joining) at most public universities in Virginia. If you decide to commission into the National Guard upon graduation from college, you are not limited to serving in Virginia. You may choose to serve in any State. Also, keep in mind that joining the Virginia National Guard while in college does not restrict you from requesting an active duty commission if that is your goal! Virginia Army National Guard For more information, contact: Recruiting and Retention NCO SSG Brian Adams [email protected] 434-294-3632 .