Split Option Enlistment to Early Commissioning Program Officer MAJ John E. Crews Senior Army Instructor Lafayette High School

Agenda MAJ Crews’ Plan Summery Enlistment Split Option Program / Back Up Program Military Junior Colleges Early Commissioning Program (ECP) 2YR Ike Skelton scholarship Educational Assistance Program (EAP) ECP vs. 4YR ROTC Program Questions

MAJ Crews’ Plan Join NG/AR at 17 enlisted as E2, Private (Back Up Job) NG/AR Basic Training between Jr/Sr Year (Split Option) 2 yr Ike Skelton MJC Scholarship Attend Military Junior College (Associates Degree) Commission as Officer at Age 20 in NG/AR EAP Pays for last two years of College for (Bachelors Degree) Serve in NG/AR until completion of Bachelors then you have choice to stay in NG/AR or go on Active Duty. Undeployable to combat until 22 years old and then you would be officer not enlisted.

Split Option Program Enlistment Join Army National Guard or Army Reserves (Non- Deployable) Must be at least 17 years old, must be on track for high school graduation. Parental consent must be given. Goes to Basic training the summer between Junior and Senior Year in High School ($1734.00 per month while in training during summer) Drills with a Unit one week end a month their Senior Year in High School (Pays $231.20 for weekend)

Military Junior Colleges Marion Military Institute (Marion, AL) Established 1842 Georgia Military College (Milledgeville, GA) Established 1879 Wentworth Military Academy & College (Lexington, MO) Established 1880 New Mexico Military Institute (Roswell, NM) Established 1891 Valley Forge Military Academy & College (Wayne, PA) Established 1928

Early Commissioning Program The Early Commissioning Program is a special program only offered at the 5 MJC schools. Designed to be a feeder for the Reserve Component. However, in some cases a Cadet may request revocation of their Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Control # in order to compete for Active Duty. This program allows qualified cadets who complete the program to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the US Army in 2 years instead of 4 years. MJC Cadets attend the Cadet Initial Entry Training formerly known as Leadership Training Course at Fort Knox, KY upon graduation from high school in order to qualify for entry into the advanced course. Upon entry into the program, the MJC Cadets take Military Science III their freshman year, go to the Cadet Leadership Course, formerly known as Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between their freshman and sophomore year, complete Military Science IV their sophomore year. While the Cadet is enrolled and contracted with the MJC, they are actively drilling with an ARNG or USAR unit with a 50 mile radius of the school. Upon receiving an associate’s degree from the MJC, the Cadet receives a commission as a second lieutenant.

2YR Ike Skelton Scholarship The funding of Early Commissioning Program (ECP) scholarships (2YR Ike Skelton scholarships) is specified in US Code Title 10 code states that each MJC will receive 22 scholarships per year. 2YR Ike Skelton Scholarship Offers National board applicants that express an interest in attending a MJC. Upon completion of board, the remaining scholarships are offered on each campus. Minimum eligibility requirements for an Army ROTC scholarship are: Cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Combined math and reading score of 920 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT Pass a specific Department of Defense medical exam (DoDMERB for officers accessions) Be at least 17 years of age and less than 30 Be a U.S. citizen of good moral character

Educational Assistance Program The EAP for Military Junior College officers is available to all scholarship or non- scholarship MJC Cadets who have commissioned and are now enrolled at their follow on school. The program provides additional scholarship dollars for completion of a baccalaureate degree at a SROTC institution. These funds are in addition to any previous funds received at the MJC. Funding will be provided for a maximum of two (2) academic years, i.e., 4 semesters or 6 quarters. Summer terms and mini terms are not reimbursable. No extensions are authorized. The Cadet, with assistance from the MJC, must apply for EAP scholarship benefits to complete their 4 year degree during their last semester at the MJC.

ECP vs. 4-Year ROTC Program Early Commissioning Program 8-yr service obligation Before freshman year starts Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year 2-yr EAP service obligation Basic Training, LTC, or JROTC Contracting No Later Than LDAC Accessions Graduation Commissioning Second Lieutenant EAP Contract Promotion First Lieutenant Promotion Captain About this time Major Non-Deployable 4-Year ROTC Program 8-yr service obligation Before freshman year starts Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year No Requirement Contracting No Later Than LDAC Accessions Graduation Commissioning Second Lieutenant Promotion First Lieutenant 2 yrs after 2LT Senior Captain About this time Captain Non-Deployable

Active Duty Pay Enlisted Basic Training Pay

Drill Pay Enlisted and as College ROTC Cadet Cadet Drill Pay Highschool Sr Year Drill Pay

Junior/Senior College Drill Pay Per Month 2LT Officer Drill Pay

Active Duty Pay Per Month Active Duty Pay at 40 Yrs Old Active Duty Retirement for LTC with 20 yrs is ~ $4,140.60 per month. This is not factoring 1 to 4% pay increase per year every year until retirement . Active Duty Pay Right After College Active Duty Retirement is normally 50% of Base Pay for 20 Yrs of service drawn at Age 42 until Death. NG/AR retirement is 50% of final base pay after 20 yrs but isn’t paid until 62 years of age.

Questions?

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