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General Education

JROTC and ROTC programs designed to train future U.S. Military officers at middle schools, high schools, and universities across the United States. Some students join JROTC or ROTC because they want a career in the military, while others are more curious about how the program can help them pay for college.

It turns out that there’s a lot to learn about the benefits and requirements of ROTC programs! That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide to JROTC and ROTC.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a great understanding of JROTC and ROTC programs and whether they’re a good option for you. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions, like:

• What is ROTC? 
• How are JROTC and ROTC different?
• Who is a good fit for JROTC and ROTC?
• Are there different types of JROTC and ROTC programs?
• What are the pros and cons of joining JROTC and ROTC?

Now let’s get started!

Feature image: Sgt. Salvatore Ottaviano/ Army Reserve Careers Division

(Kemberly Groue/ U.S. Air Force )

What Is ROTC? 

ROTC stands for “Reserve Officers’ Training Corps,” and it’s a group of U.S. college- and university-based programs designed to train and commission officers of the United States Armed Forces. 

In short, by participating in ROTC, you’ll be preparing for—and making a commitment to—serving as an officer in one of the branches of the U.S. Military once you graduate from college. 

ROTC also offers a leadership training program at the high school level, called JROTC, or “Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.” Since many (but not all!) ROTC participants at the college-level initially become interested in ROTC through JROTC, we’ll start by telling you more about that program. 

( Melanie Rodgers Cox/ U.S. Air Force )

JROTC: ROTC for High School Students

JROTC is a federally-sponsored program of the United States Armed Forces in high schools and some middle schools across the United States. A key difference between JROTC and ROTC programs is that JROTC participants—called cadets—cannot be commissioned as officers into the U.S. Military upon high school graduation. JROTC does, however, improve your entry-level rank if you choose to enlist after graduation. 

The major goal of JROTC programs is to instill core military values in their cadets: citizenship, personal responsibility, service to the United States, and a sense of accomplishment.

In fact, the Department of the Army states the following goals for JROTC cadet training : 

• Developing citizenship and patriotism
• Developing self-reliance and responsiveness to all authority
• Improving the ability to communicate well both orally and in writing
• Developing an appreciation of the importance of physical fitness
• Increasing respect for the role of the U.S. Armed Forces in support of national objectives
• Developing a knowledge of team-building skills and basic military skills
• Ranking higher if participants choose to pursue a military career 

The following branches of the military have JROTC units at middle schools and high schools across the U.S.: the Army, the Air Force, the Navy (which includes the Marine Corps), and the Coast Guard. The Army, Air Force, and Navy have the most JROTC units, while the Coast Guard only has two. 

While JROTC isn’t meant to be a pipeline into an officer position in the military, JROTC participation can be a stepping stone to receiving an ROTC scholarship for college . Students who participated in JROTC in high school are often better prepared for the demands of ROTC participation at the college level. 

Who Is a Good Fit for JROTC? 

JROTC doesn’t involve any long-term commitments past high school, so even if you aren’t sure if you’d like to serve in the military, JROTC could still be a good extracurricular and/or leadership experience . (Remember, colleges want to see extracurricular participation on your applications!) 

There are only two hard-and-fast requirements for JROTC participation: good physical fitness and being a legal citizen of the United States. Besides that, if you’re someone who is eager and willing to put in the time to build leadership skills, discipline, and self-confidence, JROTC might be a great fit for you. 

What Does Being in JROTC Entail? 

JROTC requirements can vary between schools. Generally, if you participate in JROTC, your main requirements will include taking courses on military topics and physical fitness. 

At many schools that offer a JROTC program, cadets take one elective JROTC course per semester. These JROTC courses will cover topics like leadership training, citizenship, military history, and other concepts specific to the parent branch of the JROTC program. One cool thing about JROTC participation is that it can fulfill your physical education (P.E.) course requirements during high school and count as an extracurricular!

You can choose to be as involved as you want to be in JROTC outside of the core requirements. JROTC offers many optional activities, like field trips, summer camps, and military balls. There are also other teams you can join at some schools that are often associated with JROTC, like the drill team, color guard, and rifle team. All of these activities are optional, though JROTC encourages you to participate in JROTC activities outside of the required courses to get the most out of your experience. 

If this sounds expensive to you, don’t worry: most JROTC programs are free, and all required materials like uniforms, supplies, equipment, and course materials are issued to cadets free-of-charge. 

And finally, while receiving a college scholarship as a result of participating in JROTC is not guaranteed, there are college scholarships that you can start applying for as early as the second semester of your junior year in high school if you’re interested in participating in ROTC in college. 

(Staff Sgt. Ken Scar/ U.S. Army )

ROTC for College Students

College students who are enrolled at or who intend to enroll at one of the 1,700 colleges and universities in the United States that offer an ROTC program are eligible to participate in ROTC. Students who participate in ROTC are eligible to receive a paid college education and are guaranteed a post-college career in the U.S. military. In exchange for this, ROTC cadets commit to serve in the military after graduating. 

There are also different branches of the ROTC program that students can choose from: Army ROTC, Navy and Marine Corps ROTC, and Air Force ROTC. In addition to attending college like other students, ROTC students receive basic military training and officer training for their chosen branch of service through the ROTC program.

The 3 Types of Schools With ROTC Programs

ROTC programs are currently offered at three different types of colleges and universities in the United States: the senior military colleges, civilian colleges, and military junior colleges (MJCs). Keep in mind that the U.S. service academies , like West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy , don’t offer ROTC programs since every student graduates as a commissioned officer. 

#1: Senior Military Colleges

There are six senior military colleges, also called military schools, in the United States. They are Norwich University , Texas A&M University , The Citadel , Virginia Military Institute , Virginia Tech , and the University of North Georgia . 

What makes these schools different from other universities is that they have a cadet corps. Ray Rottman, the executive director of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States , explains that the cadet corps is the primary difference between a senior military college and a civilian college with an ROTC program. 

When you join the cadet corps, you live a military lifestyle 24-7. That means wearing your uniform, participating in a military command structure, and living the military lifestyle every single day while earning your degree. As a cadet corps member, you’re totally immersed in a military training program that emphasizes leadership, decision-making skills, and the core values of the United States military. 

In some senior military colleges, like The Citadel, all of the students are members of the cadet corps. But at other schools, like Texas A&M, only a small percentage of the student body participates in the cadet corps program. Additionally, students who participate in the cadet corps at a senior military college aren’t required to enlist upon college graduation (unless they receive an ROTC scholarship, but more on that later). But because the cadet corps is designed to be an intensive training program for a military career, many students who attend senior military colleges and join the cadet corps decide to commission into the military as officers after graduation. 

So why choose a senior military college? The major benefit, Rottman explains, is the rigor and intensity of the cadet corps. Outside of attending a service academy like West Point , the cadet corps is the most thorough training a person can receive before commissioning into the military. 

#2: Civilian Colleges

Many civilian colleges across the U.S. offer ROTC programs. In fact, ROTC is available at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States. 

At these schools, the ROTC program is completely voluntary. In civilian ROTC programs, students take ROTC classes and participate in military training, but to a much lesser degree than they would if they attended a senior military college. Additionally, students participating in ROTC programs at civilian universities are still eligible for ROTC scholarships to help pay for their educations. 

#3: Military Junior College (MJCs) 

MJCs provide junior college education and typically grant associate’s degrees rather than bachelor’s degrees. While students finishing their second year and graduating as sophomores from MJCs can be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army Reserve/Army National Guard, they will be required to finish their bachelor’s degree at another institution upon commission and while serving in their units. This is called an Early Commissioning Program (ECP) , and the Army is currently the only military branch to offer this kind of program. 

A Guide to the 3 Different ROTC Programs 

Like we mentioned earlier, there are three different “branches” of ROTC that you can join, and each one has slightly different requirements and benefits. It’s important to understand the differences to make sure you’re picking the ROTC program that’s right for you.

Army ROTC  

Army ROTC, or AROTC, is the largest ROTC program at U.S. colleges and universities . The program is offered at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the United States , and it’s the largest commissioning source in the U.S. Military! Graduating high school students are eligible to enroll in Army ROTC, but so are currently enrolled college students and enlisted soldiers who are interested in becoming an officer. 

When you enlist in Army ROTC and begin college, you’ll take courses that promote leadership development, military skills, and adventure training both in the classroom and in the field—but you’ll still maintain a normal academic schedule! While different colleges and universities that offer Army ROTC programs adopt a slightly different curriculum, you can expect to take one elective class and one lab each semester, each year of college . During your freshman and sophomore years, you’ll take the Army ROTC Basic Course , and during your junior and senior years, you’ll take the Army ROTC Advanced Course . (Keep in mind that enrolling in the Army ROTC Basic Course does not come with a military service obligation unless you’re on scholarship.)

Army ROTC offers scholarships based on a student’s merit and grades (not based on financial need). Here’s what Army ROTC scholarships consist of: 

• Two-, three-, and four-year scholarship options based on the time remaining to complete your degree
• Full-tuition scholarships
• Room and board, if you should qualify
• Additional allowances for books and fees

The Army provides more information about the different types of scholarships available on their website . You can enlist in an Army ROTC program without a scholarship as well. While many students who enlist in the Army ROTC without a scholarship might eventually earn one, receiving an Army ROTC scholarship doesn’t affect your eligibility for a successful career in the Army post-college. 

Even if you don’t receive an Army ROTC scholarship, you’re still eligible to receive a $420 per month living allowance for your 3rd and 4th years of ROTC. That can be really helpful for students who are paying for tuition ! You’ll also be receiving invaluable leadership training and preparation for the professional world with the added bonus of being able to put ROTC training on your résumé.

What happens when you successfully complete Army ROTC training and graduate from college? Well, if you received an Army ROTC scholarship or entered the Army ROTC Advanced Course during college, you’ll be expected to fulfill eight years of service with the Army . There are several different ways that you can meet the eight-year service requirement, so if you know you’re interested in joining an Army ROTC program, you might start looking into those options now!

Navy ROTC Program

The purpose of the Navy ROTC is to educate and train qualified individuals to serve as commissioned officers in the Navy’s unrestricted line, the Navy Nurse Corps, and the Marine Corps. (So if you want to be a Marine, Navy ROTC is the program for you!) Navy ROTC participants are called midshipmen, and you’ll find them at over 160 college and universities across the U.S. !

The scholarship selection process for Navy ROTC is nationally competitive and cover full college tuition, a book stipend, educational fees and other financial benefits. (Not too shabby!) There are scholarships available for all four years of college, as well as shorter-term scholarships for students who qualify later in their collegiate careers. 

The list of required qualifications for admission to the Navy ROTC program is long, and while you can view a full list of qualifications on the NROTC website , here are some important highlights: 

• U.S. Citizenship, a Naturalized U.S. Citizen, or in the process of becoming a Naturalized U.S. Citizen 
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 23 by September 1 of the year starting college
• Must not have any tattoos or body piercings that violate Navy or Marine Corps policy
• Students with 30 or more semester hours of college credit are not eligible for the Navy ROTC National Scholarship. 

Navy ROTC awards 85% of available scholarships to students who major in some type of engineering or other science and technology-related field. NROTC breaks these majors down into three tiers—Tier 1 majors, Tier 2 majors, and Tier 3 majors— and provides a full breakdown of the three tiers on their website . So before applying for a Navy ROTC scholarship, think about whether your academic interests fit with the Navy ROTC scholarship recipients. 

Regardless of your major, you’ll be required to take several naval science courses and complete the equivalent of two semesters of calculus before the end of your sophomore year, and two semesters of calculus-based physics before the end of your junior year. 

So on the academic side of things, Navy ROTC programs are definitely demanding! 

Those who win a Navy ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service after graduation. Navy Option midshipmen are required to serve a minimum of five years of active military service. Marine Corps Option midshipmen and Navy Nurse Corps Option midshipmen will be required to serve at least four years on active duty. 

More importantly: even those Midshipmen who pay their own educational expenses and aren’t funded by the Navy and participate in the Naval ROTC College Program will be required to serve at least three years on active duty. 

That means upon graduation, all midshipmen who successfully complete all academic requirements in the Navy ROTC program are commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps!

Air Force ROTC

The last type of ROTC program is the Air Force ROTC. The purpose of Air Force ROTC is to prepare leaders to fulfill the Air Force mission and represent its core values. Like Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC participants are also called “cadets.” You can find these future Air Force officers working hard in Air Force ROTC programs at over 1,100 U.S. colleges and universities . 

While participating in Air Force ROTC during college, you’ll be required successfully complete the General Military Course (GMC) during your first two years. This curriculum includes required aerospace studies courses and leadership laboratories. During the second year of GMC, cadets compete for a place in the Professional Officer Course (POC) . 

As you complete the Air Force ROTC academic requirements, you’ll be expected to maintain a 2.5 GPA if you’re on an ROTC scholarship or a 2.0 GPA if you aren’t on scholarship. Like the other ROTC programs, you’ll also participate in physical training sessions several times a week and be required to wear a uniform two to three times weekly. 

Like Army ROTC and Navy ROTC, Air Force ROTC offers scholarships for graduating high school students and current college students. There are three different types of high school scholarships that pay full or partial tuition, depending on the type of school you choose to attend. All recipients will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual textbook stipend. 

In order to qualify for an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or obtain U.S. citizenship by the end of the first semester of your freshman year in college
• Pass a Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board medical exam
• Complete a physical fitness exam
• Achieve an SAT composite score of 1240 or ACT composite of 26
• Finish high school with a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher 

If you accept an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you’ll be expected to enroll in the specific academic major for which the scholarship is offered. You’ll also have to enroll in Air Force ROTC for the upcoming fall term and complete a thirteen-day summer field training camp in Alabama between your sophomore and junior years. Failing to meet academic or military retention standards or using illegal drugs can result in termination of your Air Force ROTC scholarship. 

What about your obligations after you graduate? If you accept an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you’re expected to accept a commission as an Air Force officer and serve at least four years on active duty. There are actually many career options available for Air Force officers, depending on what you majored in, and you can learn more about those career options on the Air Force ROTC website !

Who Is a Good Fit for ROTC?

It might seem like students who participated in JROTC in high school would be the best recruits for college ROTC programs. JROTC participants will certainly be prepared for ROTC service by knowing the history of ROTC programs, the chain of command, and general expectations.

But JROTC participation isn’t required to enter ROTC on the collegiate level or to earn ROTC scholarships.

Additionally, a history with JROTC isn’t the most desirable trait for potential ROTC participants! The military is more interested in good grades, respectable standardized test scores, and leadership skills developed in high school . For instance, showing leadership on athletic teams or in the marching band is great evidence of your potential contributions to the ROTC program and, later on, to the military.

High moral character, competence, and commitment to constant learning, self-assessment, and service are also traits that are all highly valued by ROTC programs. If you think this sounds like you, ROTC might be worth looking into!

On a more practical level, there are also some hard-and-fast requirements for ROTC, mandated by the branches of the U.S. Military . In order to be eligible for ROTC, you must demonstrate the following:

• The ability to pass a physical fitness exam (each branch administers a different one)
• The ability to complete and pass certain courses, attend summer training, pass a qualifying exam
• Must be completely drug-free and, in some cases, be able to pass a drug test.

You have to continuously meet these standards to keep your scholarship. In other words, being able to get into ROTC and win an ROTC scholarship is great, but you should also consider whether you can meet the requirements for keeping your scholarship throughout your college career.

What Does Being in ROTC Entail? 

There’s no question that participation in ROTC can be demanding. ROTC is a serious, long-term commitment, so you should think through how ROTC and active military service fits into your future goals before you sign your ROTC contract.  (And yes, there is a contract !)

The biggest thing to be aware of before you make a commitment to ROTC is that you are legally required to serve in the military for a specific number of years if you accept a scholarship and/or enter the program. If you fail to complete your ROTC academic program or don’t fulfill your active duty commitment, you can face repercussions. These repercussions could include being held to additional years of active service in the military or the compulsory repayment of any ROTC financial assistance (like your scholarships).

Once you fulfill the requirements and successfully complete your degree, your period of military begins. As an ROTC graduate, you’ll enter military service at the officer level instead of having to work your way up through the ranks. Once you complete your active duty commitments to the military after college, you can leave the military to explore other career options or continue your military career for years to come!

2 Pros and 2 Cons of Being in ROTC

Depending on your personality and your future plans, there could be aspects of participating in an ROTC program that might seem more (or less) appealing than others. So let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of participating in ROTC to help you make the decision that’s right for you.

Pro #1: You Receive Financial Aid for Your College Education

One of the most obvious benefits of enrolling in an ROTC program is that you’re eligible to receive full or partial tuition for your college education. Not only that, but each of the branches of ROTC provides varying amounts of financial support to cover additional fees, textbooks, room and board, and even additional living expenses. 

In other words, if you participate in an ROTC program, you’ll probably get some financial assistance. 

Pro #2: You Get High-Quality Leadership Training and Career Preparation

Since ROTC trains recruits for a future as officers in the military, providing high-quality leadership training is a key part of all ROTC programs.

Specific leadership skills you can expect to gain through ROTC include mental agility, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, learning to delegate, and practice making decisions under pressure . And that’s not even a comprehensive list! There’s also the option to participate in summer leadership training programs offered by the different ROTC program branches. Additionally, as you progress through the ROTC program, you’ll have opportunities to use your experience to lead and train underclass participants.

Con #1: College Life Is More Demanding for an ROTC Student

If you choose to participate in an ROTC program during college, there’s no question that your life might be a bit more demanding on a daily basis. 

For one thing, ROTC is an extracurricular commitment. It means that, in addition to going to class and studying, you’ll also have training sessions and other events to attend outside of class. There are other demands on your time that you might not have thought of either, like keeping your uniform in pristine condition so you can pass inspection or attending regular physical training sessions. 

The standards for participation in ROTC activities are high as well. For example, you should plan to be early to ROTC events. Furthermore, while community outreach like volunteering isn’t required, it’s definitely expected. Put another way, there are “official” and “unofficial” requirements for ROTC, so you should weigh them all before deciding to participate. 

Con #2: Your Life After Graduation Is Already Planned 

You know by now that ROTC is a big commitment. If you get an ROTC scholarship, you have to successfully complete your program of study and graduate with a degree. That’s a two to four year commitment, depending on what kind of college or university you choose to attend.

But the commitment doesn’t end there. Like we mentioned earlier, you’re required to serve a number of years on active duty in the military branch that corresponds with your ROTC program. This equates to anywhere from three to eight years of service.

For some people, making an almost decade-long commitment to something is an easy choice! Even if making the commitment feels like a no brainer when you’re first looking into ROTC programs, it’s important to thoroughly consider the demands of ROTC and decide if a military career is a good fit for you both now and in the future.

What's Next?

ROTC is just one program that can lower the cost of earning a college degree. I f you’re looking for ways to reduce your tuition rates, start by checking out this comprehensive guide to paying for college . We also have more specific resources for students who are trying to pay for college without their parents’ help.

One way you can reduce the cost of college is by applying for federal financial aid packages . But figuring out how to get financial aid is tricky! Here’s a primer to the application process , and here are two additional resources on how to apply for financial aid and the schools with the best financial aid packages.

It’s also a good idea to apply for scholarships to help lighten the financial load of going to college. Luckily, we have tons of scholarship resources available for you! We’ll teach you how to find scholarships yourself , easy scholarships you can apply for , and lists of full-ride awards that will pay your way through college. To access all of our resources, just search for the term “scholarship” on our blog!

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Want to Join ROTC? Here Are the Pros and Cons

ROTC can be a fulfilling option for many college students, but joining the program is also a serious commitment. Are you considering making ROTC part of your college experience and getting a head start on a military career? Read on to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of this commitment.

What Is ROTC?

What exactly is ROTC?

ROTC is an acronym for Reserve Officer Training Corps. In the program, college students train to become officers in the United State Military. The program has branches in the Army , Navy , and Air Force . While graduates may also serve in the Marine Corps and Coast Guard after college, these branches do not have specific ROTC programs, although the Coast Guard does offer a similar program called the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative .

Approximately 1,700 colleges and universities across the country, including many highly prestigious schools, offer ROTC programs. While scholarships aren’t a guarantee, many cadets do receive significant 2-, 3-, or 4-year scholarships.

For more information about ROTC, check out A Guide to ROTC Scholarships .

Benefits of Joining ROTC

While not all students receive scholarships through ROTC, many do, and the awards are often significant; in many cases, you won’t have to contribute to your college tuition at all or cover any additional expenses, such as housing. This can be an enormous relief for students who are concerned about their ability to pay for their education.

You’ll also enjoy a complete college experience alongside your ROTC training. Like other students, you’ll attend your academic classes, participate in clubs and extracurriculars, and live in dorms. In other words, being a cadet won’t make you miss out on a typical college experience—you’ll just have your ROTC commitment, usually one or two classes, alongside it.

One of the most significant advantages to joining ROTC is that you will receive extensive training that will allow you to serve at an officer level upon graduation. This means you’ll have an enormous head start on a military career. You’ll also be able to apply other skills and specialties you learned in college, such as technology, to your service.

Also keep in mind that ROTC is a very prestigious program, and it’s considered an honor to participate in it. You’ll gain numerous important qualities, including leadership skills, discipline, and maturity. Plus, you’ll have no trouble staying active and healthy.

There are many opportunities for postgraduate education and scholarships for ROTC graduates after fulfilling active duty, so the program can also prepare you for a life and career after your service. ROTC cadets (students in training) cannot be called for service until they graduate and finish the program, so you won’t need to worry that your military duty will interrupt your undergraduate education.

Additionally, your post-college service requirements are not in effect until you enroll in the ROTC Advanced Course, which is generally taken after the two-year Basic Course, or receive a scholarship. That means you can take a class and participate in basic training without committing to service.

--> Drawbacks to Joining ROTC

Joining ROTC—especially if you receive a scholarship—is a serious commitment. You must sign a legally-binding contract that could last up to 12 years. Under some circumstances, you must make this decision before even beginning the program.

If you drop out or are expelled from the program, you will face serious consequences, including potential legal action. You will also be required to pay back your scholarship if you have received one. (However, keep in mind that many of these consequences only apply to students who do receive ROTC scholarships.)

If you commit any violations of ROTC’s standards or your school’s, or drop below ROTC’s academic requirements, you may be asked to leave the program, and you will still face consequences and potential legal action.

While there is no service obligation for the ROTC Basic Course, you must serve in the army if you receive an ROTC scholarship or enroll in the ROTC Advanced Course. These ROTC members must commit to a three-year active duty, usually directly after college. Scholarship students must serve four years on active duty, with a total of eight years of military service.

Ultimately, this means you need to be certain that serving in the military is something you really want to do. Remember that this also means you’ll need to delay other career or education aspirations until your active service is complete, though you can pursue them while you are fulfilling non-active service requirements.

Should I Join ROTC?

Ultimately, the decision to join ROTC depends on your personal goals and ambitions. You shouldn’t join solely for the sake of the scholarship, because it is an enormous commitment—plus, some students don’t receive a scholarship at all. Additionally, there are many academic, physical fitness, and medical requirements you’ll need to meet in order to participate.

If you think a military career is right for you, ROTC can be a great option. You’ll gain plenty of leadership skills, discipline, and maturity, not to mention a head start on a rewarding career.

Want to learn more about the ROTC branches? Check out their individual websites:

Coast Guard

Learn more about other scholarships: What You Need to Know for a Successful Scholarship Season.

Get a taste of ROTC by participating in Junior ROTC. Check out the Ultimate Guide to JROTC to learn more about the program.

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Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, often referred to as ROTC, is a college-level program offered by every branch of the military except the Coast Guard. For students who are interested in commissioning as an officer in the U.S. military, ROTC programs provide the opportunity to achieve a bachelor’s degree while simultaneously preparing for the rigors of military life. Students can attend a college of their choice while receiving significant financial aid (as long as the college offers an ROTC program or is affiliated with one that does), provided they agree to accept a commission and serve in the military for a period of time after graduation. If you think that you would enjoy the discipline and training associated with an ROTC program, and are interested in joining the military after receiving your degree, read on!

What is ROTC?

In 1819, Captain Alden Partridge, a former superintendent of West Point, founded Norwich University. His idea was to create an institute that would train students in both traditional subject areas and military science. These students would then be capable of acting in a military capacity when necessary, but also fully able to live a successful civilian life in times of peace. His program was to differ from a service academy in that students would elect to join the training program on top of attending school. (At service academies, militaristic training has always come first and foremost.) Ergo, Norwich University prides itself on being the birthplace of ROTC programs. It wasn’t until 1916, however, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Defense Act of 1916, that the military training that occurred at colleges and universities was brought under the control of the federal government and the ROTC program was given its name.

The main purpose of ROTC programs today is to train young men and women to become officers in the military. Officers must have a college degree, so it only makes sense that school and military training go hand in hand. After graduation, the students (called cadets or midshipmen while they are participating in an ROTC program) immediately begin serving in the military as officers. The Army has the largest ROTC program of any branch of the military, simply because it is the largest branch. The Coast Guard, being the smallest, does not offer any ROTC programs at any institutions. It does, however, offer the  College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative . Students who receive an ROTC scholarship and those who enroll in the Advanced ROTC course for the final two years of college are obligated to serve in the military for a certain number of years after graduation, usually eight.

ROTC programs are offered at three different types of postsecondary institutions:

• Senior military colleges  (all branches of the military)
• Junior military colleges  (Army and Air Force only)
• Traditional four-year degree-granting colleges and universities (Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines)

Senior military colleges immerse students in a much more militaristic lifestyle than traditional institutions. Typically, at both senior and junior military colleges, cadets wear uniforms every day and live in barracks. In a traditional ROTC program, cadets are required to wear their uniforms a certain number of times each month and often live in dorms. Cadets at military colleges live regimented lifestyles. They are told when to wake up, when to eat, when to work out, and when to sleep. Traditional ROTC cadets enjoy much of the freedom that is experienced by their classmates, while still learning the discipline and leadership skills valued in military officers.

Traditional ROTC Programs

Traditional ROTC programs are four-year programs that students add onto their normal college obligations. While enrolled in school, a student’s time commitment to a military lifestyle is minimal (as opposed to the commitment at a  junior military college ,  senior military college , or  service academy ). Students are only required to register for one ROTC class and its associated lab each semester. They may also have to dedicate extra time during the semester to physical training. Students should be prepared for field exercises and weekend and summer obligations as well, depending on their ROTC branch.

The nice thing about a traditional ROTC program is that cadets and midshipmen can have the same college lifestyle that regular, non-ROTC students are having. Students may live in dorms, wear the clothes they want (most of the time), take part in extracurricular activities, and eat with their non-ROTC friends at the dining hall.

Additionally, scholarships are relatively easy to receive, provided students meet all eligibility requirements. Accepting a scholarship does oblige you to serve in the military after graduation, however. Students without scholarships do not have to make a decision about commissioning until their junior year. This allows uncertain students to participate in ROTC for their first two years of college to get a taste of military training and the associated lifestyle before they must make a military commitment.

After graduating, new second lieutenants and ensigns will receive all the benefits associated with being in the military, including health insurance, a steady paycheck, paid vacation, and job security.

ROTC programs are offered at over 1,100 traditional colleges and universities in the United States.

• Schools with  Army ROTC
• Schools with  Air Force ROTC
• Schools with  Navy ROTC

Pros and Cons of Enrolling in ROTC

Regardless of the type of institution and the branch of the military you pick, enrolling in an ROTC program is not an overnight decision. Before signing up, even just for the Basic ROTC course freshman year, consider the benefits and drawbacks associated with an ROTC program. For further consideration, read about the  pros and cons associated with joining the military  in general.

• Financial aid:  The military loves to help its members receive their education. As such, there are many scholarships available to ROTC cadets. Even if you do not receive a full four-year scholarship, many institutions offer financial incentives to ROTC students.
• Like-minded classmates:  By enrolling in an ROTC program, you are guaranteed to meet a group of students who share your interests. It’s kind of like having instant friends! Not only that, but your ROTC instructors will be experienced officers and noncommissioned officers (highly experienced enlisted personnel), able to answer any questions you have about the military, the lifestyle, and the jobs.
• Education:  You are getting an education and a career in one fell swoop. How cool is that?
• Rank:  When you graduate, you will commission as an officer. Depending on your career aspirations within the military, you may be required to be an officer before you can pursue certain positions (pilot jobs, for example, are generally closed to enlisted personnel). You can also expect to be promoted regularly; with experience and time come higher ranks.
• Before committing, think about how a military career aligns with your overarching career goals. Even if it doesn’t directly compare, you’ll gain valuable leadership experience that will impress most potential employers in the future. You’ll also still be young enough after fulfilling your service commitment to begin a second career if you desire.
• More responsibilities in college:  While in college, you will have more mandatory commitments than the average student. You must take the classes required for your ROTC program in addition to all the classes required for your major. You will have to participate in mandatory training events outside of class time; this may eat up a chunk of your summer vacation too. Additionally, if you receive a scholarship, you must maintain a minimum GPA to retain your eligibility.
• Service commitment:  If you continue on with ROTC past sophomore year or receive an ROTC scholarship at any point, you must serve in the military for an eight-year period (both on active duty and in the Reserves). This is not just a way to get through college; the military will become your career and life after graduation.
• Financial aid:  Yes, there are a wide variety of scholarships available. However, if you are thinking about participating in ROTC solely to pay for college, the program might not be right for you. If you accept any scholarship at all, you must join the military after graduation. Don’t participate just for the funding.
• Consequences of dropping out:  What happens if you continue with ROTC for the final two years of college, but do not graduate or end up dropping out? You may be forced to serve as an enlisted soldier on active duty or required to pay back any scholarship money you received. If you think you are at risk of changing your mind, ROTC is not for you.

Page last updated: 01/2019

Related topics:

Air force rotc, understanding the u.s. military, attending a service academy or senior military college, junior military colleges and the army early commissioning program, military educational benefits.

University of Missouri

ROTC students and leaders adapting in unique ways

The University of Missouri’s Reserve Officer Training Corps is finding innovative ways to adapt military education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 19, 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic has kept them apart, Army ROTC students at the University of Missouri have pulled together virtually, developing new ways to engage members and maintain community.

Army Cadet Battalion Commander Shade Bullock said some students are inspiring others to exercise and maintain their physical training requirements by uploading videos of their at-home workouts to the Army ROTC’s Instagram account.

“It’s important in an online environment like this to make sure that cadets are staying motivated, she said. “This is a great way to do that.”

Another source of inspiration is the Fire Team Families, a mentorship program that connects cadets with older ROTC members in a ladder system designed to encourage new members to move up the order.

“Everyone is connected with their families on GroupMe, and that’s a way we’ve been trying to encourage members as well,” Bullock said. “Checking up on each other’s mental health as well as physical health is really important. We’re a family, not just a program.”

Additionally, the students have established a private Facebook group where members encourage each other to reach their training goals. By engaging in different groups and activities, the students are maintaining the same sense of camaraderie and team building they developed on campus.

Captain David Dry, the commander of the MU Naval ROTC Unit, isn’t surprised ROTC students are pioneering ways to overcome obstacles. After all, ROTC training prepares cadets to overcome barriers.

Patrick Seeling works out from home with his child Murphy. Seeling is a senior at MU, the Army Ranger Company Commander, and a distinguished Military Graduate. During his enlisted military career, he completed a deployment to Afghanistan in 2016.

“Being in the military is very dynamic, even in a normal environment,” Dry said. “This is a tremendous real-time opportunity for us to train midshipmen on what it means to be flexible, as well as adapting and overcoming obstacles.”

During the school year, Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC cadets are typically required to attend weekly, in-person naval science labs. The pandemic, however, has forced the programs to be modified for online access.

In some cases, the new online format has been surprisingly beneficial. For Lieutenant Colonel Gary Kerr, the department head of the MU Army ROTC program, Zoom meetings have inspired new ways to teach tactical programs next spring.

“I think the cadets get more out of learning in tactical labs virtually than they would outside in the colder early spring season,” he said. “It’s an interesting way to teach platoon tactics that allows everyone to hear and see everything while being very engaged.”

An Army ROTC cadet interacts with fellow students and ROTC leaders on a weekly Zoom meeting.

Typically, 40 cadets are outside training, but only 12 are able to be participate in the lab at once. Teaching on Zoom, all cadets are able to be simultaneously engaged, and they can see the specific details of formations as they move on screen.

“This is something we never even thought we would do,” Kerr said. “But it’s an interesting and new way of teaching that’s making us better.”

ROTC commissions were not be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, events and summer programs for all divisions, including the Air Force ROTC, have been affected.

The annual ROTC Joint Services pass in review ceremony was cancelled this year. This historic event is typically the last formal event on campus at the end of the academic year, and honors cadets and midshipmen from all ROTC programs.

The summer Great Lakes New Student Indoctrination for Naval ROTC programs also has been cancelled. Consequently, MU will be hosting its Naval ROTC New Student Orientation locally.

“No matter what, we are trying to keep the supply chain going,” Dry said. “It is vital to get new recruits into our program and into the military.”

While the Naval ROTC’s summer cruise programs for cadets and the Army ROTC’s summer training for juniors have not been formally eliminated, MU is prepared to adjust if cancellations occur.

ROTC leaders know no matter what other changes lie ahead, their students will be prepared.

“We train flexible and adaptable leaders,” Kerr said. “This is helping us doing that.”

MU College of Arts & Science

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Navy ROTC Essay Examples with Commentary

CAPT Roberts

7 minute read

• Winning Navy ROTC Essay Examples

The following are winning four-year scholarship essays from Navy ROTC-Marine Corps option applicants we have worked within the past at ROTC Consulting. These also apply to Navy ROTC because the prompts are the same. We will provide commentary at the end of each essay as to why each of these Navy ROTC essay examples is effective.

Winning Navy ROTC Essay #1

Discuss your reasons for wanting to become a Marine Officer. Specifically, comment on leadership positions you’ve held, the challenges you have faced and the lessons you have learned.

• Winning Answer:

My desire to become an officer in the Marine Corps stems from my passion for leadership, athletic merit, community service, and my country. These attributes will greatly assist me on my quest to earn the title of Marine officer.

In order to make that statement, I needed to better understand what life would be like as a ROTC midshipman and future Marine lieutenant. I had an action plan to find out more. I visited the Texas A&M Naval ROTC and talked to midshipmen and the officer staff about what it takes to be a midshipman. I have spoken to several commissioned officers about my chosen career as a Marine aviation officer and learned about the responsibility and standards that will be demanded of me leading enlisted Marines. It is an awesome responsibility that begins with my enrollment in the Naval ROTC

I embrace leadership. For two years I have been the student leader for my school’s design program. My responsibilities included developing solutions to intricate problems, crafting enhanced ways of teaching subjects for teachers, and mentoring younger students on the proper use of tools and safety. This upcoming year I will be a part of the inaugural community-based design class in which we will identify and solve problems in our community.

Sports have been an integral part of my life. From a state-ranked ten-year-old swimmer to a three-time tennis state champion at 17, I have matured into a solid athlete but also a strong teammate and leader. As the cross-country team captain, my goal was not only to form a bond but also to succeed as a team. In my second year as the team captain, I am working to set an example of strong work ethic and to create an atmosphere of camaraderie. I understand the importance the Marine Corps places on being physically fit. As an officer, you must set the example and physical fitness excellence is one way to demonstrate this.

Giving back to my community has become important. Teaching kids with autism how to play tennis has been extremely fulfilling, because it gives them the chance to be athletes who are defined by their skill and not by their condition. I have also found great joy in teaching tennis to younger kids and introducing them to the sport that has given back to me. I believe serving my community for its betterment has made a lasting impact on me and instilled the true value of service to others.

Patriotism and loyalty are two traits that describe my love of this country My whole life I have felt extremely lucky to have been raised and given a great education in this amazing country. I would like to put my education and leadership skills to use in the best way possible, defending this great nation while helping to lead the world’s premier fighting force.

• Commentary on why this essay is successful:

Notice that this essay is a combination of showing things that he did to learn more about being both a cadet and an officer in the United States Navy as well as what the candidate did in high school that applies to the question.

In our opinion, the first part of the essay, namely, demonstrating what you know about the Navy or Marine Corps, in the more important part of the essay. This can be demonstrated by letting Navy ROTC know what research you did on the internet, who you talked to (both cadets/midshipmen and officers) and especially what things you did to visit ROTC programs and actual Navy or Marine Corps units (such as Navy or Marine Corps Reserve Units) to talk with both officers and noncommissioned officers to learn the duties and responsibilities of a lieutenant or ensign.

In addition, did you take the time to visit a Navy ROTC program? If so, what did you learn? Are you ready for the challenges of Navy ROTC? Tell the board members that you took the time to visit and learn more about Navy ROTC and are excited about being a midshipmen/cadet.

Winning Navy ROTC Essay #2

Prompt: How might your background and experiences enhance the U.S. Marine Corps?

My experiences in leadership and community service have provided a strong foundation for me to build off of and further develop as a midshipman and future officer in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout high school I have had valuable leadership opportunities in the classroom, on athletic teams, in church, and in my community.

For the past two years, I have been the student leader in my school’s design program using my problem-solving abilities and organizational skills to guide other students to success in the classroom. Junior year I became the captain of the boys varsity cross country team. I take this honor seriously and work to set an example by having a strong work ethic and a positive attitude for the team. My experience as a leader, coupled with the training I would receive as a midshipman, will help make me a strong future leader of Marines.

My commitment to service is something that I take great pride in. It is not the quantity of community service hours I have, but the quality of service. I believe that the time you do spend must be applied to something meaningful to better the community. To truly make a difference you also have to show passion in your service. I have volunteered every summer with my church to help with their vacation bible school. I have helped with a dog rescue, and I have rung the bell for the Salvation Army. However, what fulfills me the most is volunteering at a weekly tennis clinic for children with autism as well as a tournament for veterans. I have worked closely with the program director to help plan and make each event successful. Working with people who have both mental and physical challenges and seeing them succeed is very rewarding. I understand that selfless service and a servant’s heart are important attributes of Maine officers and I believe my experiences will prepare me to be a better Marine officer.

This is where you provide Navy ROTC your “signature” accomplishments. The top three to four things you are most proud of. List each and then explain in a paragraph why this accomplish is significant. In this way, you highlight to the selection committee clearly what you are most proud of and what they need to pay attention to. This is where you get to “brag” about yourself.

Final Thoughts on Navy ROTC essays:

These essays are important to Navy ROTC. These winning ROTC essay examples highlight several things. Essay #1 needs to show what effort you put in to learn more about Navy ROTC and the duties and responsibilities of an ensign or lieutenant. Essay #2 is your signature accomplishments to demonstrate why you should be selected for a scholarship over someone else. Make sure you highlight only the most important things you have done.

If you do the above things, you are that much closer to winning a Navy ROTC Scholarship!

ROTC Scholarship Consulting provides assistance with your essays as well as other areas of the scholarship application. ROTC Scholarship Consulting has an unparalleled record in helping candidates win ROTC Scholarships.  Please take a look at our services for more information .

Article Contents

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Mandatory ROTC? Think hard first

The House of Representatives is poised to pass a bill reviving the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) after the May elections. The Senate is still deliberating on its version of the measure at committee level.

This bill could give new meaning to the May 2019 elections for the youth. It is a bill that directly impinges on the interest of the youth, especially those aged 16 and 17 who have yet to take Grades 11 and 12.

If the Duterte-endorsed senatorial candidates win in the elections, this bill will certainly pass. If the opposition senatorial candidates win, the proposed revival of ROTC will fail. The reason is simple — it is Mr. Duterte who has urged Congress to pass the measure, threatening to issue an executive order to the same effect if they fail to do so.

If the bill passes this year, and it takes another year to formulate the new ROTC Program of Instruction and set up the training system (facilities, instructors, resource materials), the first batch of Grade 11 students who will take the course will be those in September 2020 or September 2022.

How can the proposed mandatory ROTC be hardwired to deliver on its purpose to “instill patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual values, and respect for human rights and adherence to the Constitution,” and avoid past evils, such as corruption and murder (Cadet Officer Mark Chua case, 2001)? Passing another law is not enough. Learning from the lessons from ROTC and similar civic training and development programs is the best way. Consider these lessons:

Lesson 1. Generate acceptance, ownership and support by key stakeholders.

In a democracy, it makes sense to consult the people who will be most directly and heavily affected by a new proposal. Hold consultations with the youth, the military and the civic orientation and engagement institutions. Consult the relevant literature, experience of other countries and experts.

Lesson 2. Resuscitate corroded civic institutions and strengthen recently created ones.

People have forgotten about these powerful civic orientation and engagement institutions that have been hijacked, neglected and weaponized for private purposes, among them the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, the Sangguniang Kabataan, the Red Cross. We must strengthen and nurture these institutions that provide the resources, opportunities and capabilities for the youth to engage in community problem-solving, not only family or personal problem-solving.

Review the performance of similar institutions that have yet to mature in the performance of their functions due to lack of support for institutional development — the National Service Training Program, the National Service Reserve Corps, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. Review these institutions together as a system. If necessary, scrap and build structures, but do not layer redundant systems one on top of the other.

Lesson 3. Look forward, not just back. Conjure the envisioned outcome and impact of the proposed ROTC law, 10 years or 20 years down the road. What is the best scenario? What is the worst scenario? What is the preferred scenario? How do these compare with a “do nothing” (no mandatory ROTC) scenario?

Let us have more informed discussion and debates about the kind of citizen civic-military orientation and engagement the country requires. To insist on imposing half-baked mandatory ROTC proposals is to play god with the time, energy, trust, resources and lives of our youth, with no cogent arguments to convince them of the wisdom of our decisions. Contrary to the intention of the proposed law, poorly designed mandatory ROTC will tend to turn the youth against the government, and kill in them whatever urge for selfless service to community and country they may be capable of.

It is a pity that the youth affected by the mandatory ROTC are too young to vote on the issue in the May 2019 elections.

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[OPINION] Restoring mandatory ROTC

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. never completed the Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC), now being extolled as a critical program to cultivate among the Filipino youth the values exemplified by pre-eminent national heroes.  There was no such course in the generation of Rizal and Bonifacio, but it was prescribed as a requirement to graduate from college for students in the time of Duterte and Marcos Jr. until 2002.  

Duterte believes it would instill “perseverance, discipline, excellence, leadership, loyalty, and patriotism” among the young Filipinos and “invigorate their sense of nationalism and patriotism necessary in defending the State and further promote their vital role in nation-building.” In his first SONA, Marcos Jr. brings back ROTC to “motivate, train, organize, and mobilize the students for national defense preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations.” Both presidents now want mandatory ROTC restored for the same age cohort (16-18 years) of Filipinos. 

Marcos Jr. never completed a college degree in the Philippines or in any country where ROTC was a compulsory subject. Duterte got his degree from Lyceum University but evaded the ROTC requirement.  At a forum in Davao that included diplomats, Duterte described how, for P1,500, he bribed a tuberculosis patient in San Lazaro Hospital to take an X-ray test under his name and submitted the result to the school as proof that he was not subject to the ROTC obligation. 

Drilling on the dissonance between the rhetorical praise for ROTC and the effort taken to avoid it would be a waste of time.  First, Duterte bullet-proofed himself against public shaming by cheerfully and proactively confessing to his moral weaknesses. Politicians also seem to be less sensitive to public shaming, when able to deploy social media trolls in their defense.  But, secondly, beyond the character or motivations of their advocates, the issue of compulsory ROTC deserves to be decided on its merits.  

At a time of global geopolitical tension and a hot war in Ukraine, there are legitimate reasons for a mandatory ROTC program.  The advocates in the country include legislators, bureaucrats, and over 50% of a survey commissioned by Sen. Gatchalian.  The apparent consensus prompts some questions.  Do the advocates agree on the primary objective that ROTC should accomplish?  Surely, the goal must shape the conceptual design of the program and the mechanics of its implementation.

‘Added burden to students,’ groups warn Marcos on mandatory ROTC

Take DepEd, which will need to help the DND to oversee program.  What does it want mandatory ROTC to accomplish?  The usual responses often include fostering among the youth love of country, the spirit of patriotism, and the willingness to meet their responsibilities as citizens.  One might argue for an alternative approach that immerses students at an early age in narratives that make real to them their connections to the land and the people whose destiny they share.  Educators have been calling for strengthening the courses in history to achieve through civic education at an earlier age what ROTC would try to do through military training at age 16.   

Our grandchildren grew up and were educated in Singapore.  Although not Singaporean citizens, their excitement, at ages six or seven, as the August 9 independence day approached was visible and loud.  Preparing to celebrate “Singapore’s birthday,” they would bring their books to show us the little dot that was Singapore on the map and sing the national anthem.

But, granting that DepEd is better placed to pursue ROTC civic objectives, is this the task that should command its attention at this time?  DepEd does need to invest in reinforcing its ongoing civic education component and make improvements as best it can, just as the crew must continue sailing a boat that is shipping water, though it requires bailing to remain afloat.  Does another compulsory course help its decongestion program when already facing more urgent, basic tasks? On top of preparations for resuming face-to-face instruction, DepEd must worry about addressing the “learning poverty” crisis that World Bank has just flagged.  Children cannot appreciate civic education lessons if they are unable to read the texts that teach them. 

Mandatory ROTC? Fix K to 12 program first, netizens say

The DND/AFP support for mandatory ROTC triggers some knee-jerk reactions.  But even at the peak of the revulsion against ROTC in 2001, with the killing of Mark Welson Chua for blowing the whistle on corruption in the University of Santo Tomas ROTC organization, only a minority opposed the program on ideological grounds as inherently dangerous in promoting a fascist mindset.  The universities that had pressed for ROTC reform were calling for its proper implementation, precisely to prevent the kind of corruption, like paying for passing ROTC grades, that led to Chua’s murder. 

That said, DND must still clarify what it wants out of the ROTC, which it could have and can still pursue under NSTP.  With the numbers enrolled in mandatory ROTC, DND could not deploy enough officers to sustain effective leadership of the program at the school level.  A revolving door replacement of ROTC commandants on an almost semestral basis made it difficult to enforce accountability for program performance.  A smaller cohort of trainees, presumably less resistant to the voluntary NSTP/ROTC program, should have been more manageable.

A recent review suggested that the NSTP/ROTC component graduated enough trainees to meet the required First Category Reserves level of 1% of the population.  Making ROTC mandatory expands the demand on AFP resources for the training of raw recruits to a number not critical to its mission.  DND faces arguably more urgent, basic issues.  Congress has long delayed resolving, for instance, the issue of retirement pension for DND/AFP, which is escalating to unsustainable proportions.  The most critical threat to the country is not internal communist insurgency but its internationally recognized sovereign rights in the South China Sea, to which its modernization program is key.

Expanding the ROTC is a legitimate objective.  But, like DepEd, DND must determine the trade-offs and mobilize resources from the national government for its priorities.  Personnel quantity or quality?  Manpower or modernization? – Rappler.com

Edilberto de Jesus is a Senior Research Fellow of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government. 

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