The ROTC SMP program is a volunteer Officer training program designed to increase the number of ROTC Officers available for Reserve Forces Duty (RFD). It encourages enrollment and participation in the ROTC Advanced Military Course and provides future Officers with leadership and reserve unit experience.  Those in the SMP program can also be eligible to compete for active duty upon commissioning (unless you receive a Guaranteed Reserve Duty scholarship (GRFD)).

The purpose of the SMP Program is to give eligible enlisted members of the Army National Guard and Army Reserves an opportunity to participate in the Advanced ROTC Program and provide students an opportunity to serve in an Army National Guard/Army Reserve unit while participating in ROTC.  Students can contract without a scholarship, or compete for a Reserve Forces Duty scholarship or Dedicated Army National Guard scholarship.

The intent of the SMP program is to increase Officer accessions into the Army National Guard/Army Reserve Components by increasing ROTC enrollment from enlisted Reserve Component members who are attending college. The program also reinforces training specific to the role of the commissioned Officer in the Army and gives Cadets the experience of working with Soldiers and Non-Commissioned Officers in actual Army units.

How to join:

• If you are currently enlisted in the National Guard or Army Reserves, you will need to gain approval from your current unit chain of command, and then sign an ROTC contract that enables you to start the program at your unit and enroll in leadership classes here at JMU.  If not already in the NG or USAR, you can enlist and then enroll in the ROTC program.
• If you are not enlisted yet, but thinking about joining the NG or USAR while in college, you have the option to go to Basic Training first, then contract with ROTC (provided you meet all eligibility requirements).  

Benefits of the SMP program:

• You are non-deployable from the time you become a contracted SMP Cadet until you graduate.
• You will earn a commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation.
• You will continue to receive Tuition Assistance ($4,000 per year - upon completion of basic training and Advanced Individual Training).

  Please go to the Cost of Attendance Calculator to see the estimated cost of attendance for your program of study.

• You can choose to stay in the US Army National Guard or US Army Reserves, or compete to go on active duty and serve in the Regular Army once you graduate.
• You immediately begin receiving E-5 (SGT) pay for drill weekends.
• You will receive a monthly ROTC stipend of $420 a month.
• Those who choose to complete Basic and Individual Training are eligible for Reserve component GI Bill at $369 monthly.
• VA Army National Guard SMP Cadets can receive up to $20,000 per year toward tuition (must complete basic training).
• Out of state students who join the VA NG can receive in-state tuition rates.
• Students may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill Kicker after completion of AIT in the amount of $350.
• Dedicated National Guard and Reserve scholarships are also available (if you qualify) for those students who obligate their service after commissioning in one of the reserve components.

To discuss the National Guard SMP program further, contact the JMU On-Campus Recruiter (OCR) SSG Donald Arbaugh at 804-873-5520 or donald.j.arbaugh.mil@army.mil. 

For information about the US Army Reserve SMP program, contact your local US Army Reserve recruiter, or the Recruiting Operations Officer at JMU at rotc@jmu.edu.