Newberry College

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

A Reserve Component (RC) 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 completing their college degree. In addition, contracted non-scholarship cadets and Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) scholarship cadets can join an RC unit and the SMP.

Advanced Course ROTC SMP students are paid for their Guard/Reserve training and receive the ROTC allowance of up to $2000 for each of their two years in the Advanced Course. Upon completing 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.

SMP Benefits

• Hands-on management/leadership experience and training
• $400-$450/month ROTC stipend plus $208 per month while at drill
• Annual training and Advanced Camp pay
• Montgomery GI Bill and tuition waiver
• An opportunity to win a two- or three-year GRFD scholarship
• An opportunity to volunteer for adventure training (Airborne, Air Assault, Northern Warfare, etc.)

SMP FAQs

Q. Who is eligible to join the Simultaneous Membership Program?

A. To be eligible, you must:

• Be enrolled in Army ROTC as an MSII or above.
• Be a non-scholarship cadet, a recipient of the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) 2-year scholarship, or recipient of a dedicated Army National Guard scholarship.
• Be an academic sophomore (60 or more hours).
• Be physically qualified.
• Be under 30 years of age when commissioned (waiverable through age 34).
• Have at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 grade scale.
• Be a full time student.
• Be a U.S. citizen.

Q. I'm already in the Guard or Reserves, how do I enroll in SMP?

A. This is how to enroll in SMP if you are currently enlisted in the Guard or Reserves:

• Enroll in a ROTC upper division course (MS-III or MS-IV, if currently a cadet).
• ROTC will send the appropriate paperwork to your unit (your pay grade will automatically become E-5 unless you are drilling in a higher pay grade already).
• Continue drilling with your current unit or change to another unit of choice.

Q. I'm not currently in a Guard/Reserve unit, how do I enroll in SMP?

A. This is how to enroll in SMP if you are not currently enlisted in the Guard or Reserves:

• Register for Advanced ROTC classes (MS-III or MS-IV).
• Interview with the ROTC cadre concerning SMP job selection.
• Meet with Guard/Reserve Recruiter.
• Take an aptitude test and physical examination.
• Sign the Guard/Reserve enlistment contract.
• Begin drilling with your selected unit.

NOTE: If you have successfully completed the MS I and MS II years (Basic Course), you are not required to complete Basic Training as an SMP cadet.