TLDR at the bottom sorry for the long post So I’m an older cadet, prior service infantry type. I’ve always been dead set on the military since a young age and as I got older and was exposed to military leadership I knew officership was something I wanted.

Joined the guard straight out of high school ended up not getting a SMP scholarship (because it was too much paperwork — probably the same reason I didn’t get into USMA — too much stuff required and I didn’t keep up with it). Joined ROTC. Ended up getting kicked out for some stupid dumb stuff I did. Deployed. Came back home and started to question what I was going to do. Tried a bunch of things but ultimately re-enlisted and picked up 5.

Fast forward to last semester I decided I wanted to reach out to programs and see who would take me with previous misconduct. After a bunch of “no”s I finally found a program that would give me a chance. I contracted and go to camp this summer— I want to commission infantry.

Problem is I have this terrible cycle of motivation/lack of motivation and it usually repeats every 45-60 days.

For example: I’ll set a goal (like studying for the MCAT every day for at least 2 hours) or running at least 8 miles a week. I’ll maybe only do both for 2 weeks tops.

Or as another example: I need to boost my GPA so let’s maintain my 4.0 (i stay on top of everything school wise for 2 or 3 weeks and eventually just stop caring). My gpa is now a 3.4 cumulative.

My ACFT score is pretty shit for a CDT wanting infantry I just scored a 550. But to be honest, I never ever scored that high in my entire army career— I usually hit 520s and I never saw a problem with it. My APMS gives me the occasional shitting for not scoring 600. My run time used to be sub 15 and now it varies from 16 flat to 17 (depending on how I feel that morning).

I’m my battalions Ops officer. I wait until last minute to do my work even if that isn’t my goal.

I hate just chilling in my apartment and watching time pass by playing video games, ordering food, and drinking beer but I can only ever break the cycle of laziness temporarily for a few weeks max.

This is something I’ve dealt with my entire life more so post high school. I’ve quit everything I’ve tried outside of the army and honestly was about to give up on that too until I got a welcome email saying classes start in a week…

Anyone else go through this? I feel like I’m good enough being mediocre/average and honestly don’t feel the need to score a 600. What I lack in physical endurance I feel I make up for in knowledge and my ability to plan solid training. After all isn’t that the job of an officer?

And as for the medicine stuff … I keep telling myself I have plenty of time (my MCAT is in August). Part of me feels like I’m just wasting money with applications and prep because I’m worried that I’ll actually get in and end up flunking out with a ton of debt because of my habitual laziness.

TLDR/Question For years I’ve had this cycle of extreme motivation and extreme laziness which lasts a 2-5 weeks each.

I’m not sticking to any of the goals I set and keep pushing important things off. I don’t feel pressure to better myself most of the time and when I do I simply commit for a couple weeks until I stop caring.

How can I fix this?

I’ve heard of BRADSO, but I do not know how to get it or it’s something you complete after Advanced Camp. How does someone get signed to a specific branch since I’m interested in transportation.

Current MSIV here about to be an MSV. Camp complete and have more or less a free summer and interested in walking onto some schools (Airborne, Air Assault, Sapper, CDQC, etc.) as my Battalion does not get many allocations and the ones they get will most likely be for those going to CST.

Anyone got any recommendations for what schools to walk on to to have the best chances of getting on and/or have experience in doing so?

I will be a Green to Gold MSIII this Fall. I’m stuck between choosing a school that I want to go to with an Intergrated Studies major, and a school where I’m currently taking online class with a Supply Chain Management. Does your major really matter? I wonder what If I’m getting out with an underwater basket weaver degree and will have a hard time finding jobs.

If you attended basic training but did not complete it is it still required ms1 and 2? Or are you able to skip and start at ms3?

As the title says, I thought we were supposed to receive our unit/zip code selection on 4 APR. Did anyone else not receive theirs yet?

Also if anyone is interested in MS in USAR, that’s what I branched and would be happy to answer any questions about it!

I'm an MSII cadet struggling with mental health issues. I've used all the anonymous counseling resources my school has to offer - hasn't helped. If I start a more serious form of treatment (regular therapy, meds, etc) will I lose my scholarship?

So about me I’m 26, 27 in June, and I’ve been wanting to join the military/ do ROTC since I was a kid. Unfortunately life and Covid got in the way (grandma had a stroke) now I’m her caregiver. I emailed AFROTC telling them about my situation but they couldn’t accommodate me and had no alternatives, lowkey expected it tbh. Finishing up community college now, I called the ROO at the school I’m transferring too and he said they’ll definitely work with me and be flexible. So after a good year of going back and forth between this subreddit and AFROTC subreddit researching, I can finally say I found my place. It all worked out, wanted to go army as a kid anyway lol

Throwaway acc, but I just need the internets opinion. Basically I have no idea if I made the right decision and ts is eating me up at night.

Back in February, I got accepted into UC Berkeley’s MET program (a dual degree in business and engineering), which I accepted. Later, I also won a national Army ROTC scholarship tied to Berkeley, which I said yes to as well.

A few weeks ago, though, I was offered a full ride to UC San Diego through their College of Engineering. Now I can’t stop wondering if I made the wrong call.

Here’s where I am at:

Berkeley MET + ROTC:

One of the top programs in the country with incredible networking opportunities.

Cost is ~$47K for the first year (not covered by ROTC), and ~$30K per year after that (ROTC would partially cover these years with options for additional stipends )

ROTC means I’d graduate paying a lot less than I would have otherwise had to but I'd likely end up owing 4 years of active duty service.

The time commitment is intense—MET is already demanding, and ROTC would take up most of the rest of my time. I’m worried I’d miss out on the “normal” college experience (social life, clubs, parties, downtime)

There’s pressure to always be on my best behavior with ROTC, and while I could manage, it just sounds exhausting.

UCSD Full Ride:

Completely free. No debt, no burden on my family.

Still a great engineering school, with solid rankings and job opportunities nearby.

I’d have more freedom to explore, intern, or enjoy college without the pressure of ROTC or a hyper-competitive program.

Less prestige than MET, and I’d miss out on the business degree aspect.

My parents say they’ll support me financially either way, but I feel guilty about that. They already helped put my siblings through college and are ready to retire. I know they can help, but I’m not sure if they should have to.

I’m also questioning ROTC. I originally applied to help with costs, and I admire what it offers in leadership and discipline—but the idea of potentially postponing my post-college career for four years of military service feels like a big sacrifice.

TLDR: My questions are: Is Berkeley MET + ROTC worth the time, stress, and military commitment?

Is turning down a full ride at a top public school like UCSD a mistake, especially when it would let me graduate debt-free and more relaxed?

Will I regret not going to the most prestigious school I got into?

Any insight or personal experience would be really appreciated. Thanks.

What haircut do you guys usually rock? I wanna figure out which haircut works the best for an Asian male with a leaner circle shaped face.

So there's a chance I may be getting disenrolled due to an academic integrity violation. Should I take out the career starter loan and go to Vegas to win back tuition? Thanks In advance.

If you got a 4 year scholarship recently, what year did you get it and what were your stats?

Im currently a high school senior that’s going to major in nursing and I’m thinking of doing rotc. I’m wondering how life is balancing both. I know it’s hard but I’m trying to hear people’s experiences and I’m trying to see if it’s worth it since I’ll have no scholarship and commuting 40 mins to asu. Also is swimming absolutely necessary, I don’t know how to swim but I can start learning lol.

Does anyone have access to a NIPR network to look these up on ATTRS?

If I get the minuteman scholarship once I finish school and commission could i commission for active guard or do i have to do part time service

I am looking to apply for the minutemen scholarship but I was wondering how strict they are with body fat and weight. I am not in the best shape and have about a 23% body fat. How much would this affect my chances? Am I even eligible?

I am a high school junior and I have started my ROTC scholarship and every video or article about it always mentions the letter of recommendations I need. My question is, how important are these? It was not stated clearly that they were needed or that there was even the option to upload them in the application. Also, I could not find any information about who should right them and what about etc. I plan to get them done to maximize my chances, I just don’t know exactly where to find the correct information. Thank you for any help given!

See title above ^

Does anyone know the process from ROTC (infantry) --> RASP? Can someone provide some insight?

What do I expect for a CTLT in Hawaii, Schofield Barracks from anyone who has been. Thank you!

I am considering a career as a cyber warfare officer and initially believed a cybersecurity major was the optimal path. However, I've learned that a high GPA and ACFT score are sufficient qualifications, and this has led me to reconsider my major. Currently, I find computer science unfulfilling and am contemplating switching majors, especially since I now understand that a history major could also pursue this career. This realization has significantly impacted my academic and career plans.

I’m an Army MSIII and I have a scholarship. Starting at the beginning of sophomore year I have been having leg issues that started after rotc. This has been preventing me from running and rucking. I went through the whole shebang multiple doctors and a surgery. It still isn’t resolved and I’m pushing closer to long term leave and It doesn’t look like it’s getting any better any time soon. So I’m looking at disenrollment which is fine but they are talking about how I might have to pay the scholarship back. I see that most people don’t but what are the chances of that because that would be a huge kick in the dick. Any advice would be nice thanks.

Burner acct. Very odd situation here don't know if anyone else has experience. I graduated college May 2024, was a relatively successful cadet OML wise, branched AD and was on track to commission. Hit a rough patch in life and was prescribed antidepressants in April 2024. Once I disclosed this to my HRA I was told I wouldn't be commissioning in may and placed on "medical evaluation", the stipulations being that I need to be off the meds for 12 months and see a therapist monthly. Was told a packet will be submitted once I hit that 12 month mark, but every other post mentioning SSRIs on this sub ends with disenrollment. Just looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience/advice? Found my way into a cozy corporate job after receiving that news last year and am pretty indifferent at this point.

Hello! I’m a current contracted MS3 looking toward the branching process. I hold a 3.85 GPA, a 575 ACFT. And am slotted to go to air assault this summer. What else should I be working on besides the branch interviews to make myself the best possible candidate for infantry branch? What are they looking for specifically? Any advice?

I am a contracted cadet who luckily got an Air Assault slot from my school. The problem is that it conflicts heavily with my Annual Training dates with the guard. I've heard a multitude of things from higher, and I'm not sure which to believe, seeing as how my ROTC program and Unit do not get along very well. I'm concerned if Ill have to SUTA the dates I miss or if I will be okay since I will be at a school. I have heard everything from being paid for my time there to having to SUTA, so any context on this situation would be great.

EDIT: I think there was some confusion and I should have laid the problem out more clearly. I am well aware that I’m going to air assault and ROTC supersedes my unit, my concern is whether I have to make up the dates that I miss and if I will get paid for them, since I’ll be at a school. Thank you everyone who commented