FAQ
Q. By enrolling in ROTC, are you joining the Army?
A. No. Students who enroll in ROTC don't join the Army. They take an ROTC class for which they receive credit. It's a college elective.
Q. Is ROTC like "boot camp"?
A. No. ROTC cadets must be in college where their primary duty is to earn their degrees.
Q. What can students expect to learn by taking ROTC?
A. Quite simply, leadership and management skills needed to become a U.S. Army officer or have a successful civilian career.
Q. What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?
A. Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and leadership laboratories. For instance, an ROTC cadet might find himself or herself leading a team during a land navigation exercise, a leadership reaction course, or a paintball battle.
Q. Is there a military obligation during college?
A. During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation (or the first year in the case of scholarship winners).
Q. Of what is the ROTC course comprised?
A. The ROTC program is divided into phases: the basic course and the advanced course. The basic course consists of the first and second years of ROTC. Cadets learn basic soldier skills as well as leadership, Army organization, and communication skills. The advanced course concentrates on tactical operations, military history, physical fitness, and advanced leadership skills.
Q. Does Army ROTC offer scholarships?
A. Yes. Each year hundreds of students attending colleges nationwide receive ROTC scholarships. ROTC awards scholarships to students studying science, engineering, nursing , business, as well as a variety of other majors.
Q. How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards?
A. Scholarships are awarded at different monetary levels. At some schools an ROTC scholarship is worth up to $80,000, which goes towards tuition and educational fees. Also, scholarship winners receive an allowance of up to $4,000 a year.
Q. On what basis are scholarship winners chosen?
A. ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need. Instead, they're awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited through academic excellence and extracurricular activities such as sports, student government or part-time work.
Q. Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?
A. No. Anyone can enroll in ROTC. And regardless of whether you're a scholarship winner or not, all ROTC books, supplies and equipment are furnished at not cost to you.
Q. How often are Army ROTC scholarships awarded?
A. High school students apply for four-year scholarships during the Fall semester of their senior year. College students can apply for two-year and three-year scholarships throughout the year.
Q. How do students benefit from Army ROTC?
A. In general, students who take ROTC classes learn to lead an organization, communicate effectively, build self-confidence, manage resources, and stay in shape. Cadets who successfully complete the advanced course, are commissioned a second lieutenant and can serve their country in either the United States Army, the United States Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard.