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The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows students to attend Army ROTC and serve in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard at the same time. It gives you an opportunity for additional training and experience. While participating in monthly drill exercises with assigned Army Reserve and Army National Guard units, SMP Cadets serve as Officer trainees while attending school and working on a four year degree. During this time, SMP Cadets can earn Reserve/Guard pay and benefits in addition to the Army ROTC allowances.
Description
You may be able to take advantage of a program that allows you to participate in ROTC and enlist in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve at the same time, provided a vacancy exists in either a Guard or Reserve unit. It's called the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), and it means that while you're still in college, you can be gaining valuable experience and earning extra income. In the SMP, you will be paid at the rate of at least a Sergeant E-5 for your Guard or Reserve service. In addition, you'll receive the ROTC Advanced Course allowance as well. You'll serve as an officer trainee in a Guard or Reserve unit and perform duties commensurate with the grade of second lieutenant. Once you graduate and receive your commission, you may continue your military service with your Reserve or National Guard unit or go on active duty. The ROTC Contract that is agreed upon will determine a cadet status. You are considered Non-Deployable during your time as an SMP Cadet!
The intent of the SMP Program is to increase officer accessions into the Reserve Components (RC) by increasing ROTC enrollment from enlisted RC members who are attending college. In addition, contracted non-scholarship cadets and RFD scholarship cadets can join a RC unit and the SMP. Advanced Course ROTC SMP students are paid for their Guard/Reserve training and receive the ROTC allowance as well as $1200.00 per year for books. Upon completing the ROTC program, the United States Army Officer agrees to an eight-year obligation, which can be served in the Reserve Forces, on Active Duty or a combination of the two.
Benefits
Up to 100% tuition and fees paid
ROTC monthly stipend of $420 a month
A book allowance of $1200.00 per year
Drill pay of E-5 (at least $274.84)
Receive longevity credit (for period of satisfactory participation in SMP) towards reserve retirement
Commissioned officers receive time in service credit for base pay calculations for time in service as an SMP member
Because cadets participate in both guard training and ROTC at the same time, the benefits of the SMP are twofold. First, SMP cadets receive the excellent management and leadership training that ROTC offers. During the monthly training weekends, SMP cadets apply their classroom training in a “real world” military unit in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves – an opportunity unavailable to traditional ROTC scholarship cadets. Second, SMP cadets qualify for tuition assistance programs offered by both organizations simultaneously.
Categories of SMP Cadets are as follows:
SMP Non-Scholar:
SMP Cadets have status in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves and can compete for Active Duty without taking an ROTC Scholarship. During this time, Cadets will receive the ROTC Stipend of $420 per month and Montgomery GI Bill benefits if eligible
Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty (GRFD) Non-Scholarship:
GRFD Non-Scholarship Cadets have status in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves and can compete for Active Duty after revocation of GRFD control number and students do not take an ROTC Scholarship. During this time, Cadets will receive the ROTC Stipend of $420 per month and Montgomery GI Bill benefits if eligible.
Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty (GRFD) Scholarship:
GRFD Scholarship Cadets have status in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves, have a GRFD control number or dedicated Scholarship, and can NOT compete for active duty as they will be placed into the Army National Guard or Army Reserves upon graduation. During their time in college, Cadets will receive full tuition and fees or room and board scholarship, as well as the ROTC monthly stipend and yearly book stipend.
ELIGIBILITY
Complete the ROTC Basic Course requirements or Basic Combat Training
Be medically and morally qualified
Only ROTC contracted cadets may participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program
Cadets cadets who contract under Guaranteed Reserve Forces duty (GFRD) must participate in the SMP
This includes all Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) and Dedicated Army National Guard (Ded-ARNG) scholarship recipients
Cadets who contract as non-scholarship, non-GFRD, may participate in SMP, however, this is not a requirement
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