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Question

So, i am going to college next year and i was thinking about joining ROTC. I am wondering what it is like? Is it hard? and how does it work? I kind of know what it is about, but i would like someone who went through it (or at least knows a thing or 2 about it) to explain it. Thanks

Answer 1

You cannot just &quot;join&quot; the ROTC.  Its a scholarship!  

Once you receive the scholarship, you will have other requirements outside of school, however your school and books will be paid for!

Usually about 2 mornings are taken.  Tuesdays at Washington State, we had Drill.  Thursday we had Physical Training.  We had billets that we held thru the year.  We had commitments we needed to do over the summer (summer cruises/exercises).  Your junior year, you will be going to boot camp (USMC).  You will have competitions against other ROTC schools (a blast).  You will have to take extra classes that are military related.

All in all, its an excellent opportunity.

There were always a couple that did all the of ROTC events in the hopes of getting an ROTC scholarship their Sophomore year.  But again, you should be striving to get an ROTC scholarship  out of HS!

Best candidates are physically fit, above average intelligence, play sports, and are involved in school activities.  

Answer 2

I think its an easy A.  ROTC the first couple of years (AFROTC, at least) is military history, learning to march, salute, wear the uniform properly, etc.  

You would sign up for ROTC just like you would English or Algebra.  If you like it, you keep signing up.  At some point, usually, the 2nd or 3rd year, you will contract and this is where the commitment comes into play.  When you commission, you will owe the AF 4 years of Active Duty.  

Trust me, you will know by the end of the first semester,  if you want to continue in the program.  

About 80% of my cadets are on scholarship.  

Answer 3

I just have to post even though Tim W has the perfect answer for you. nicklc24 must have never been in the military cause his answer is 100 percent incorrect. You DO NOT have to have a scholarship to enter ROTC. How do I know. Cause I was not a scholarship cadet. Why? because I got a lot more money by being in the National Guard as a SMP Cadet and being prior service and getting the active duty GI Bill. And the fact that I became an army officer. I just cannot believe some of the postings at times by people that think that they know what they are talking about, but havnt got a clew. Best of luck.

By the way College ROTC is pretty easy. You go to advanced Camp, now called something else between your junior and senior year. Its fairly easy, just like another college class. You change up between leadership positions while you are in IE you act as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, First Sergeant, XO, and CO and higher levels at different levels throught your ROTC training. . You gain a lot of leadership skills and it sets you up to be a successfull PL. Well After your Officer Basic Course Anyway.

While you are in, you get a Stipend and your ROTC classes are free. You CAN get a scholorship, and you can also be prior service.

Good luck, and I believe it will be the best decision and you will make the best friends of your life while in the military.

Answer 4

I think OIFV79 got nickle and Tim W mixed up.  Tim W is wrong.  Nickel whatsit sounds about right to me.

I think Cordelia is probably correct.  I took AFROTC classes at UT and I didn&#039;t have a scholarship.  I think if I had kept my grades up that I would have gotten one.  If I had a scholarship, I would have stayed in school probably.  

Answer 5

There are 270+ Army ROTC programs across the country. The quality of training differs at each program.

But in my personal experience in Army ROTC, I had great cadre and instructors who helped develop me as a capable leader by the time I commissioned. I had opportunities to go jump out of planes and fastrope from helicopters at Airborne and Air Assault Schools on the Army&#039;s time and money. I got to train in England with their UKOTC program and in Korea with an Apache gunship helicopter unit.

Now I&#039;m an Officer in the U.S. Army, leading troops and flying helicopters. I couldn&#039;t have asked for more. I wouldn&#039;t be here if it wasn&#039;t for ROTC.

In order to do well in ROTC and as an Army Officer, you must be able to balance academics (very much so in the Aviation branch), physical fitness, and your social/family life.

I&#039;m not sure if you have specific branches already in mind. The most wanted/competitive branches in Army ROTC and West Point are Aviation, Infantry, Medical Service, Armor, and Military Intelligence. In order to get one of these branches, you&#039;ve got to have good grades (at least a 3.0 GPA), high physical fitness score (at least a 280), and involvement in other clubs/fraternities/sports/organizations (especially if you can serve in leadership positions).

Best of luck to you.

-Army Officer and Pilot