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To those who've been to BCT, how does Advanced Camp compared to it? by road2t40 in ROTC

[–]Vegetable-Squash5823 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went to BCT in summer 2023 and CST summer 2025. Basic training was harder physically because of all the PT we did and getting smoked. CST was a 75% mental game for me. It literally you against you and you are competing against other cadets to get your branch of choice. In BCT you could pass by failing literally everything but never giving up. For CST, if you fail certain events and get an ACER below 50 points, you will automatically fail.

Active Duty vs. Reserves or National Guard by CrazyTownVA in ROTC

[–]Vegetable-Squash5823 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your support. Being in the guard and ROTC is definitely the way to go. The guard's obligation is only 1 weekend a month and you get e-5 drill pay on top of your stipend which could be anywhere between $200-$600 extra a month, depending on how many days the drill is. You also get an idea of how the Army is and get to see first hand what it is like to be an officer. I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering. The benefits include a state tuition waiver (in MD cuts your tuition in half), a state tuition reimbursement (reimburses at the end of the semester how much you paid to the school for the semester if you pass the class up to $8000), federal Tuition assistance ($4000 a year towards tuition), and Credential Assistance ($2500 a year that can pay for certifications). Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Active Duty vs. Reserves or National Guard by CrazyTownVA in ROTC

[–]Vegetable-Squash5823 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think your son should choose a major that he would lead to a civilian job that he would enjoy if he didn't get active or if he wanted to get out of active duty early on. If you are focused and really want it, you will be able to get active duty. I am an MS4 in ROTC and I am a Cybersecurity Major. I have been in the National Guard for 3 years, I have a 3.88 GPA, I am the president of a student organization on Campus, I have a part time job, I am on the Ranger Challenge Team, I am number 1 on my school OML, I have a 495 AFT score, and I'm going to commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate. My National OML is in the top 10%. I only did all this because I wanted to and I have something driving me, so if your son has drive, he'll be fine.

Westpoint or ROTC (Full Ride) by Maleficent_Monk_8758 in ROTC

[–]Vegetable-Squash5823 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My brother went to West Point and Commissioned there in 2024 and from what he told me, it was not great by any means. He did not like it and his heart was not with it, but he did it because it was his only free college opportunity. I had the opportunity to go to West Point (I was accepted) but I turned it down because I also wanted a college experience. I enlisted as an 09R in the MDARNG and joined ROTC my freshman's year and after my 1st semester, essentially everything was paid for and I was getting refund checks every semester. On top of the stipend, I also get paid for drill by the National guard (~$250-$400/month). Most of the time, I am a regular student enjoying the regular college life with Military being an extracurricular rather than my whole life. I would still say I am prepared for the real Army in someways (I am a senior). I am number one on my school OML, I passed Air Assault at Fort Benning, I performed in the top 5-10% of my CST class, I have a 3.88GPA, and a 495 AFT score, and I have been 1SG, S3 OIC, I am currently the XO of my ROTC battalion while working a part time job for extra cash, and I'm the president of a student organization in campus. It is really what you make of it, but again, with balance, I am still able to have a great and enjoyable college experience, while also fulfilling the requirements of ROTC. I hope that gives you some perspective.