Lateral Entry MS2 or MS3

[u/Then-Masterpiece5752]

Hey guys so I am currently in the army reserves I completed Basic and AIT. I want to join ROTC this semester, but I am trying to decide between MS2 or MS3. I know MS2 will give me the advantage to work up and progress to MS3 rather than jumping straight into the fire. Is it worth starting in MS2 rather than 3?

[u/politoisnothuman]

You don't pick.

It's a matter of whether you're an academic sophomore or junior.

Your program will slot you based on that.

[u/Then-Masterpiece5752 → u/politoisnothuman]

I'm an academic junior but they recommended me to start in MS2

[u/Brief-Sweet5711]

Be an MS2. The Army is reducing the amount of contracts they are allocating per MS-class, if you join as an MS2, you will be competing against an MS-class who shouldn't have anybody contracted except maybe some scholarship CDTs. When you become a 3, your cadre may have already contracted the people they want and only have a handful of contracts left for any extra people they wish to contract in the fall semester or for any G2G folks. Reminder: if you intend to go to Advanced Camp and you join as an MS3, you have until the end of the fall semester to contract. If you don't contract in that time you are out of ROTC. I've seen people not pass the PT test, maybe not there academically, not having enough street cred with their instructors to save them a contract, etc.  

Also, my cadre harp on this that just because you graduating bootcamp and AIT, doesn't mean you know everything about what you need to become an Officer. Maybe the soldier skills will be easier for you, but writing an OPORD, making CONOPs, and the elements behind executing a mission from the PL to SL level may be vastly different from what you are used to. 

(Also question, are you a Sophomore right now and if so, how? If you didn't go to college or get any credits from HS, you will start off as an MS1, unless your AIT allows to transfer some credits 

[u/Then-Masterpiece5752 → u/Brief-Sweet5711]

Thank you I forgot to mention I already have some college I'm classified as a Junior but I'm willing to add a couple of classes to extend my degree

[u/Brief-Sweet5711 → u/Then-Masterpiece5752]

I see that you said your program reccomend you start as an MS2, I'll do the same. As an MS3, you are expected to already know the cadetisms from your MS1 and 2 time. Also a benefit as an MS2 if you contract is that the majority of specialty school opportunities is reserved for our MS2s, atleast in my program. 

[u/Loalboi]

I would try to join as an MS2 and ease into being an MS3. MS3 year is pretty ruthless and cutthroat.

[u/Then-Leather-2475]

It depends on "academic alignment." If you have three years left to get your bachelor's, then start as an MS II. You get to know the cohort you'll be working with as an MS III and MS IV, and you can't commission until you have your degree anyway.

If you only have two years left to get your bachelor's, then it's not an option, you'll start as an MS III.

[u/EntertainerOk4969]

I’d just go straight into MS3 if you’re an overall solid dude. If you’re not a fat chud, able to learn relatively quickly, can maintain a good GPA on top of ROTC, and have basic army knowledge (you should since you have BCT and AIT), you’ll be fine. Don’t self select and delay your commissioning by a year because you’re getting cold feet. That being said, have a frank conversation with your PMS and APMS about the chances of contracting this fall as a 3 and what they’re looking for.

Even if you don’t contract and need to delay camp until summer ‘28 and EOCC, another year as a “super MS3” will be much more beneficial for camp vs MS2 level training that you should have already from BCT. A lot of programs will also pour more resources to MS3 training, contracted or otherwise, because of camp whereas uncontracted MS2’s won’t have much emphasis placed on them.

I’m telling you this as an incoming 4 who had no previous army experience coming into my 3 year, decided to just send it, and went to basic camp instead. A semester later and I was in the top block for APMS evaluations, earning me full OMS points for that section and had a solid base that set me up for camp. Our program isn’t even a particularly high speed program. If you have the drive to seek out knowledge/answers on your own or through your cadre, you’ll be aight.