ROTC and NMMI Facts:

Split Option Program: The split option is a program for 17 year old high school juniors who want to get their military career started early. Students may join either the ARNG or USAR and will attend basic training during the summer between their junior and senior year. The student will return to finish high school and to her/his Guard/Reserve unit, where she/he drills (one weekend per month) for up to a year before attending job training (AIT) during the summer following high school graduation. High school seniors can also join the ARNG or USAR while still in high school but can attend LTC in lieu of BCT/AIT in order to start NMMI during the Fall semester. If the student opts for BCT/AIT after graduation they will delay their NMMI start date to the Spring semester. The benefit of joining early and attending BCT and AIT is gaining the Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, tuition assistance, experience, years of service, and faster contracting into the ECP. The drawback to this program is having signed a contract that is binding if the student does not complete the ECP program is legally required to complete their commitment as an enlisted Soldier. If the student does not want to join before arriving to NMMI the student can join if/when they are ready once they get settled on campus.

ROTC/ECP Acceptance: Once the cadet is accepted to NMMI and enrolls in the Military Science 3 class (and lab) he / she will be conditionally accepted into the ECP. Full acceptance into the ECP will be the signing of the ROTC contract. At most traditional 4 year schools ROTC is a 4 year program, since we are a MJC (Military Junior College) we do not have 4 years to get cadets commissioned into the Army, hence the reason for the ECP (2 year program rather than a traditional 4 year program). If a Cadet is not eligible to contract right away we will work with the Cadet until May to get them eligible (provided they put forth the effort and committment).

Army Service Committment: Once a cadet signs their ROTC contract, they are legally obligated to an 8 year service commitment. The committment begins upon graduation from NMMI. The time spent completing their bachelors degree counts towards their Army committment (up to 36 months). The new lieutenant must participate in a National Guard or Army Reserve unit in a non-deployable status while they complete their bachelors degree. The remaining years can be performed on Active Duty, National Guard (ARNG), US Army Reserve (USAR), or Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).

Bachelor's Degree Completion: Upon graduation and commissioning from NMMI the new lieutenant must transfer to a four-year baccalaureate degree granting institution, which offers Army ROTC. You will be given a delay from entry on Active Duty or Active Duty for Training of up to 36 months to complete your degree requirements. If you fail to complete your baccalaureate degree in the allocated timeframe, you will be in breach of your scholarship contract and subject to call to active duty or monetary recoupment. During your delay, the PMS at the 4-year school will exercise administrative control over you and monitor your physical fitness, maintenance of weight standard, personal conduct and academic progress. Cadets who fail to abide by the terms of their scholarship contract, or who complete the course and decline to accept a commission, if offered, may be ordered to active duty by The Secretary of the Army to serve in an enlisted grade for such period of time as The Secretary of the Army may prescribe, but not more than 4 years. All scholarship cadets incur a payback obligation for educational expenses paid by the Army in the event they fail to complete their obligated tour of duty.

Branch/Component Selection: When a new lieutenant graduates from NMMI and transfers to the university of their choice their GPA starts over. As a senior in college the lieutenant will be ranked on a National Order of Merit List (OML) and is provided an opportunity to complete their Army "wish list" for accessions. The majority of the OML is based on junior year GPA, leadership assessments, and physical ability. During accessions considerations are made for what the lieutenant requests for component (AD, ARNG, USAR, IRR), first duty assignment location, and branch choice ultimately based on needs of the Army.

ARNG and USAR Scholarships: Cadets not interested in competing for Active Duty can guarantee their ARNG or USAR component by receiving a Dedicated Reserve, Dedicated Guard, or GRFD scholarship contract. Cadets must also agree in writing that they will accept an appointment, if offered, as a commissioned officer in the Active Army, ARNG, or the USAR of the United States; and that you will serve in such component for not less than eight years, as required by Section 2107, Title 10, U.S. Code.

Non-Army ROTC Scholarships: Cadets may use any non-ROTC scholarships in addition to ROTC scholarships. Scholarship coordination (other than ROTC scholarships) are managed by the NMMI Financial Aid office. Cadets may also participate, contract, and commission in a non-scholarship status in the event they are not eligible for a ROTC scholarship. The cadet's home state National Guard / US Army Reserve (USAR) can assist non-scholarship cadets in paying for school tuition thru the SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program).

Financial Benefits from ROTC: Cadets typically begin receiving financial benefits (scholarship, stipend, uniform allowance, and LTC Bonus) the month following contracting on the next pay cycle. Cadets have the potential to recoup their initial expenses over the two years in the ECP (not on the initial signing of the contract) and at graduation/commissioning may have a positive balance in their cadet account. All contracted cadets (scholarship and non-scholarship) receive $450/month the first school year and $500/month the second school year (stipend). Cadets typically contract after 45 days from the beginning of the school provided all requirements are met per Cadet Command Regulation. The stipend is used for covering shortfalls of scholarships, books, etc. at the cadet's discretion. Furthermore, the stipend is paid for only a total of 9 months per calendar year (August – May). Nursing 2+2 contracted cadets do not receive the $450/month during their freshman year, they go by the 4-year scholarship benefits which is $350/month. ARNG and USAR benefits (tuition assistance, drill pay, GI Bill, and GI Bill Kicker) are not dependant on the ROTC contract.