The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows enlisted members in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves to participate in the ROTC Advanced Course in order to earn their commission, and it allows eligible cadets to gain experience working with an ARNG/USAR unit while participating in ROTC. SMP cadets follow the two-year plan as mentioned above. SMP cadets cannot be deployed while enrolled in ROTC. The criteria required to participate in the program are as follows:

- Contract into ROTC Advanced Course
- U.S. Citizen
- Complete the SMP agreement
- Junior class standing (54 credits or more)
- Enrolled as a full-time student
- Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA (2.5 if scholarship student)
- Meet Army height/weight standards
- Pass Army Physical Fitness Test
- Complete Basic Training or equivalent, such as ROTC Basic Course, 3 years or more of JROTC, or Leadership Training Course (formerly Basic Camp) graduate.
- Those who have Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships or contracts MUST do SMP
- Those who have Dedicated ARNG Scholarships MUST do SMP

Students who are NOT ELIGIBLE to participate in SMP:

- Green-to-Gold Scholarship recipients
- Nursing Program Scholarship recipients
- 4 year National ROTC Scholarship recipients
- 2-3 Year ROTC Campus-Based Scholarship recipients
-Warrant officers
- Basic Course students