Anyone Familiar w/Army Green to Gold Program?

[Hunters2012]

Hello everyone,

I am just curious if anyone on this site has participated in Army's green to gold program. I am taking my ASVAB on Monday with my two most interesting options being Enlisted then trying to get into the green to gold program, or applying for ROTC scholarships. The benefits to Green to Gold as listed by my recruiter seem very interesting, with the obvious downside being, taking time off from school to complete my 9 week basic, and AIT. I am however excited about this new chapter in my life, no matter which route I take. Thank you in advance for your input.

Hunters2012

[Rlong1985]

Army Green to Gold -- Enlisted Commissioning Program

Just remember the recruiter is there to sale you a product.

[retdetsgt]

See if you can get something in writing.....

[Hunters2012]

You are correct, they are no doubt trying to sell me on it. However, I went in there asking about the program after a friend of mine (8 years Army) gave it an endorsement. Granted he was not in the program but says he has several friends who have gone through it. I was curious if anyone on this site had also gone through it.

Right now I am trying to find the best way for me to balance a 4 year degree and military service, as both are two goals I've had since I was a boy. RetDetSgt, I know you have accomplished both of those, do you mind me asking in what order and capacity?

[retdetsgt]

I went to college one year, got more involved in partying than studying and flunked out. Joined the army, served as enlisted for two years and got the opportunity to go to OCS. I'm not sure that option is available any more. Back then, they needed infantry 2nd Lts to be cannon fodder so it was easier to do. I went back to college after I became a cop. Going to school full time and working full time isn't something I would recommend, but it can be done. A number of people on this site have done that.

A friend of mine from high school was in the AF and back then they had a program like that. They would send someone to the U. of Oklahoma for 36 months straight to get their degree and then send them to their OCS. He told me he tried to get it, but they were very selective and he wasn't chosen. I would imagine that this Army program would also be difficult to get also. I wouldn't enlist counting on being selected. Besides, I suspect that you will have another 4 year or so commitment to the Army AFTER you graduate so you're not going to save much time. I would go with a ROTC program or something.

[cntryboy0531]

I agree with RetDetSgt on this. I'd go ROTC instead. I'm sure if you enlisted and the Army needed you for something, your contract could be put on hold for the better needs of the army. If you want to be an officer, go to college and join ROTC, or just go to college on your own then talk to a recruiter.

**note to add** never been in the military myself.

[Hunters2012]

Great insight both of you, and thank you very much. I can see why the ROTC option might be better for me right now, I will have 2 years of college work done at the end of this spring, so a 2 year ROTC scholarship may be the right way to go.

retdetsgt, I believe the green to gold program "enlisted option" is pretty similar to what you did, the requirement to be condidered for that is 2 years enlisted according to goarmy.com. I believe the option my recruiter was telling me about was a scholarship program where soldiers who stand out and do well can be released from their unit on scholarship in order to attend college and then OCS later, and like cntryboy0531 said, I'm sure its highly competitive. Thanks for the input gentlemen.

[retdetsgt]

You don't have to do an ROTC program, it just makes it a little easier to get your commission. You can go straight from getting your degree to Army (or any branch) OCS. OCS isn't a lot of fun, but I doubt ROTC is a stroll in the park either.

[MSG6972]

I wasn't in the Army, however I was in the Marines and we had something similar to what you are talking about. It is/was called MECEP, basically you started out as enlisted and then applied for MECEP, if you got accepted they would pay for you to go to school and in the summers you would do OCS and other training. All the people I talked to who went through it loved it. But it wasn't something you could get guaranteed when you first signed up, and the requirements were pretty tough so getting into it on your first enlistment was difficult.

Another option to consider, although with the deployments the way they are now it would be tough, is the military will give you TA up to about 5000 a year if i recall correctly, to attend school while active duty and not use up your GI bill. (you can use your GI bill as well to supplement whatever else your school costs may be if you go over) Alot of guys did online school and got their degrees. Just something else to consider if you are wanting a degree.
ROTC is good as well but you do have to commit to at least 6 years I believe after college.

[Rlong1985]

TA (Tuition Assistance) works differently for all branches of service, but education is widely supported in the military despite a lot of misinformation regarding the different programs. I am currently using TA with AMU (American Military University ) and I regret not using these benefits before now in my career as it is free money unlike the MGIB.

[retdetsgt]

TA was available even back when I was in. This program is different. They actually send you to college and that's your full time assignment for 36 months or however long each is.

I used TA to take classes while I was in to clean up the carnage I left from my first year out of high school.

[Hunters2012]

Well, I went to MEPS today in Portland and took my ASVAB, I scored well and have begun filling out the paper work. My recruiter has put a temporary hold on an MOS of 31B MP, and really all it comes down to now is decision time. My parents are slowly coming around, it has been a tough sell (leaving full time college for military and part time college) but I feel active duty enlisted is something that will teach me life long lessons.

I have exactly 1 week to complete my physical at MEPS, so I have 1 week to make a real decision, before my temporary hold on 31B expires. I am officially in the excited/nervous stage of the process. If I complete the enlistment process I will be attending OSUT at Ft. Leonardwood starting September 13, 2010.

[Rlong1985]

Keep in mind that if you go 31B ( Military Police ) you will see Iraq or Afghanistan. Its not a maybe these days its a when.

[retdetsgt]

Also bear in mind that any college courses you take in the Army are probably going to be on line unless you're stationed near a college. And don't expect to be able to do more than one or two at a time. So you're not going to be building up many credits.

If you were my kid, I'd strongly advise you to stay in college, finish it and then go in the military. Having been enlisted and an officer, I'd highly recommend officer. The work isn't any easier, but it's different.

Standing out in the heat, cold, rain or snow directing traffic loses its magic pretty damn fast.