The
Simultaneous Membership
Program is a volunteer officer training program that allows Army National
Guard enlisted members to participate in the Advanced ROTC Program. The
intent of the SMP is to increase officer accessions into the Army National
Guard by increasing ROTC enrollment from enlisted National Guard members
who are attending college.
Upon completion of Basic Training, an Army National Guard soldier who is
an academic junior can join the Advanced ROTC Program and earn a commission
as an officer in the U.S. Army upon completion of their college degree.
In addition, contracted non-scholarship cadets and Reserve Forces Duty scholarship
cadets can join an Army National Guard unit and the SMP.
Army ROTC is a college elective that teaches students leadership theory
as well as practical skills. Students learn the importance of teamwork and
how to work together in various real-life situations. The end result is
a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and leadership training
and experiences that prepare the graduate for a successful career after
college.
Upon completion of the ROTC program, the officer has an eight-year obligation,
which can be served in the Reserve Forces, on Active Duty or a combination
of the two.
Cadets in the SMP Program are paid at the grade of Sergeant (E-5) for their
Army National Guard training. This equates to more than $200 per month during
the school year, as well as active duty pay for annual training and pay
for ROTC Advanced Camp. In addition, cadets are paid a monthly allowance
as an ROTC Cadet during the academic year. The tax-free allowance is $200
per academic month ($250 per academic month beginning in October 2001).
In order to qualify for enrollment in the SMP, individuals must meet the
physical and mental qualifications for enlistment and be less than 30 years
of age at the time of appointment. The individual must also be attending
college full-time, which equates to about 12 semester hours at most colleges.
The SMP is only offered on campuses where an Army ROTC program exists, or
to individuals who participate in an Army ROTC program at a nearby college
or university. During the summer between the junior and senior academic
year, SMP participants attend the ROTC Advance Camp.
Non-scholarship Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) contracted cadets
may apply for active duty during the accessioning process, usually at the
start of the cadet’s senior year. Cadets accepting a two-year Dedicated
ARNG Scholarship may not apply for active duty. A cadet not having a GRFD
contract may be involuntarily called to active duty upon graduation, depending
on the needs of the Army. Current policy allows selected ARNG members who
request a GRFD contract before joining the SMP to receive one.
For more details about SMP, interested National Guard members should contact
their local Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention NCO, Commander,
Army Recruiter, or Army ROTC Professor of Military Science. You can also
visit the Army ROTC Website
for more information.
