ROTC Programs — Today's Military (2023)

FAQs

ROTC Programs — Today's Military? ›

Does ROTC count as military service? Your years in ROTC do not count toward retirement. Your first two years of an ROTC program count as a college elective, not military service. However, if you accept a scholarship for your final two years of the program, you also sign up for a military commitment.

Does ROTC count as military service? Your years in ROTC do not count toward retirement. Your first two years of an ROTC program count as a college elective, not military service. However, if you accept a scholarship for your final two years of the program, you also sign up for a military commitment.

The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force all have ROTC programs. The military services' ROTC cadets participate in basic military education and officer training, which varies depending on their branch of service, while receiving higher education just like other students on campus.

The Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program is a two-year program that provides eligible, Active Duty enlisted Soldiers an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or a two-year graduate degree and earn a commission as an Army Officer.

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Military.

The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world.

Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC): The Army started ROTC in 1918 to complement the need for a larger cadre of leaders at the onset of WWI. Army ROTC produces approximately 70 percent of the officers entering the Army each year.

All who graduate and complete ROTC training are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Enrolling in Army ROTC is not, strictly speaking, joining the Army. You will not be sent to boot camp.

You must be a solid performer with very good SAT/ACT Scores (goal is above 1300 SAT/27 ACT–the average SAT is 1240), with a good high school GPA. Navy ROTC-Marine Corps option is best sitting.

What are ROTC students called? ›

Army and Air Force ROTC students are referred to as cadets.

Following graduation, ROTC cadets are required to serve in the active component of the U.S. Army. – All scholarship students will be required to serve in the military for a period of eight years.

Although nationally, roughly 40 percent of Army ROTC Cadets go on to earn an Active Duty commission after graduation from college, it is not uncommon for 60-70 percent of Bobcat Battalion graduates to go on to become Active Duty Officers when they graduate from OHIO.

Embry-Riddle hosts one of the largest Air Force ROTC detachments in the country. The program is one of the top producers of pilots for the US Air Force. Like all ROTC colleges, Embry-Riddle provides both military training and leadership development through its Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs.

Is there an age limit for starting or finishing the Army ROTC program? Yes. To begin the program, you must be at least 17 years old. To be eligible for a scholarship, a cadet must be under 31 years old in the calendar year in which he/she is commissioning.

What is ROTC? The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) produces leaders for the Air Force. It is an educational program that gives men and women the opportunity to become Air Force officers while completing their degrees. Cadets receive military training while going to college.

Are contracted cadets military members? Qualified, contracted cadets (those in the Professional Officer Course or who have accepted a scholarship) are enlisted into the Obligated Reserve Section (ORS) of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and are not members of the active duty military.

While traditional ROTC programs function as more of an extracurricular activity, senior military colleges are most similar to service academies. Students are part of a Corps of Cadets and live and study in an immersive military environment.

You're eligible to apply for a ROTC scholarship—which could get you up to 100% tuition coverage—if you're a high school student enrolling in college, enrolled in college, or an active-duty enlisted Soldier.

A CONTRACTED Army ROTC Cadet must: Be a U.S. citizen. Be between the ages of 17 and 26. Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50 or College cumulative GPA of a 2.0 (minimum)

How many pushups for ROTC? ›

MINIMUM SCORE WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP.

male between 17 and 21 years old should arrive at college able to do 42 push-ups; a female 19 push-ups. A male needs to be able to do 53 sit-ups and a female 53 sit-ups.

Cadets or midshipmen holding cadet-enlisted rank must salute cadet or midshipman officers within their own branch of the service.

18 months after commissioning (Guard or Reserves) or starting active duty, you will be promoted to first lieutenant and at 4 years beyond commissioning, you will be promotable to captain.

When on campus and in uniform, cadets will salute all cadet officers and cadre officers of all services. It is appropriate to accompany the salute with a word of greeting, for example, “Good morning, sir.”

Class A uniform consists of the following: (1) Male - Garrison beret, Army service coat and trousers, white service shirt (short or long sleeve), a black four-in hand necktie, black oxford shoes, black socks, black belt with brass buckle and tip, black all weather coat (optional), uniform brass and accessories.

Some things that are not allowed are tobacco products of any kind, certain prescription medications, and food. Besides a cell phone and the headphones it comes with, all other electronics are tracked and kept safe with the cadre until they are done with their training.

Upon completion of the Army ROTC program, graduates will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army and will embark on specialized training in their first Army branch. There are a variety of branches that are available to students.

Meet Air Force/ Space Force physical standards. Be between the ages of 14 & 39 and be able to graduate by your 39th birthday (waivers available under certain circumstances and more stringent age restrictions apply for some career fields).

All cadets receive a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses once they contract with the Air Force, which occurs at the start of their junior year or when they activate a scholarship. Stipends are $300-500 a month depending on the cadet's year in the AFROTC program.

Your typical week will include Physical Training (PT) 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:45-6:45 a.m., with some Drill and Ceremony (marching) practice for about 15 minutes afterwards.

Is ROTC a big commitment? ›

The time commitment for ROTC varies depending on the level of the cadet or midshipman. Freshmen and sophomores typically have a minimal time commitment, while juniors and seniors will have more frequent training and leadership lab sessions.

"Department of Defense policy recognizes the potential adverse effects hazing can have on morale, operational readiness, and mission accomplishment. Hazing is prohibited and should never be tolerated."

Cadet rank structure

New freshmen (MS I) enter the Program at the rank of Cadet Private (C/PVT) and rarely hold leadership positions. Sophomores (MS II) hold the rank of Cadet Corporal (C/CPL), but like the C/PVTs, they hold few leadership positions throughout the year.

Following graduation, ROTC cadets are required to serve in the active Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve. All graduates are required to serve in the military for a period of eight years.

A Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructors (ROTC instructor) prepares college students for leadership positions in the armed forces, while a JROTC instructor works with high school students.

High school students who apply for an ROTC program are eligible for scholarships covering the full cost of tuition, fees and textbooks for four years, plus a monthly stipend for personal expenses.

A: Upon contracting into the ROTC program (after MIL 301 or any ROTC tuition scholarships), it is an 8-year commitment on Active Duty or Reserve Component (National Guard or Reserves).

All ROTCs will allow the scholarship cadet/midshipman to withdraw from the program at the end of the freshman year without service obligation.

As a cadet you are not a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, and you are not expected to join the military. While you are introduced to Sea, Army or Air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and certain traditions, you are also introduced to many other career options outside of the CAF.

What is a competitive GPA for ROTC? ›

To qualify for ROTC scholarships, you need a minimum 2.5 high school GPA for ROTC. You must also maintain a 2.5 college GPA. Additional entry requirements include being at least 17 years old, scoring at least 19 on the ACT or 920 on the SAT, and passing your military branch's physical fitness test.

Caleb Grulke, an engineering management major in the Michigan Technological University College of Business, is the number-one ranked Army ROTC cadet in the nation. As battalion commander of the 1st Arctic Warriors Battalion of the Michigan Tech Army ROTC, Cadet Lt.

The Medal of Heroism is the highest medal awarded to Army JROTC and ROTC cadets who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism. The act must result in an accomplishment so exceptional/outstanding as to set a cadet apart and involve acceptance of danger or extraordinary responsibilities.

You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements: GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. GPA may vary with work experience (e.g., students with a low GPA [less than 2.8] who worked their way through college will receive the same consideration as applicants with a GPA of 3.2 or greater who did not work)

Students who are currently attending a US military academy and ROTC students are not considered veterans.

If you have a 2.5 GPA and a 920 SAT score or a 19 ACT score, you'll meet the minimum requirements for all of the programs.

ROTC is a college program, whereas enlisting in the military directly is a process of joining the military as an enlisted member rather than an officer. ROTC cadets and midshipmen are training to be future officers, and lead enlisted members of the military.

Students who are currently attending a US military academy and ROTC students are not considered veterans.

A: Scholarship winners must serve for four years; non-scholarship Cadets who enroll in the ROTC Advanced Course must serve for three years. All who graduate and complete ROTC training are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

All ROTCs will allow the scholarship cadet/midshipman to withdraw from the program at the end of the freshman year without service obligation.

Are ROTC cadets sworn in? ›

The Commissioning Ceremony

Then a guest speaker, usually a retired officer, gives words of advice and encouragement to the soon to be officers. Finally, cadets take an oath to their country, sealing their admittance into the Officer Corps of the United States military.

Enrolled ROTC cadets and applicants for enrollment who suffer illness/injury as a result of authorized (scheduled and supervised) training, or authorized travel to and from such training, are eligible for compensation through the Department of labor/Department of Veteran Affairs.

Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC? Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.

At least two-thirds of the upcoming graduating cadets will receive an active duty tour. Cadets who receive Reserve Duty will serve in local Reserve or National Guard units one weekend a month, or serve in the Ready Reserves with no “drilling” requirement if a suitable unit is not available where you reside.

Cadets may be referred for disenrollment for failing to maintain minimum required semester or cumulative grade point averages (G.P.A.); failure to meet requirements for weight control or physical fitness; for being an approved conscientious objector; personal hardship; if a condition is discovered that will later bar ...

Navy ROTC. This is a more difficult scholarship to obtain than the Army ROTC scholarship but not as hard as the Air Force Scholarship. For the academic year 2021-2022 about 1,200 applicants were awarded a scholarship. The following is how Navy ROTC breaks out its scoring by percentages to select scholarship winners.