Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

If you can’t decide between pursuing a career in the Military and continuing your education, here’s the good news: With ROTC, you don’t have to choose. Short for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, this leadership development program can equip you with invaluable life skills — and help cover the cost of college through a scholarship, along with other benefits — in exchange for service after graduation.

What Is ROTC?

Offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide, ROTC prepares young adults to become military officers. It emphasizes leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills while also fostering physical fitness and self-discipline.

The oldest and largest ROTC program is offered by the Army, which, naturally, focuses on leadership training for future Army officers. Next is Navy ROTC, which develops officers for both the Navy and Marine Corps. Lastly, there’s the Air Force ROTC, which prepares students to serve as officers in the Air Force or Space Force.

For many students, the scholarship offered by ROTC is a great way to receive help with tuition — and with two-, three- and four-year scholarship options based on the time needed to complete your degree, there’s plenty of flexibility to decide and join the program at your own pace. And, there are several ways to participate in ROTC:

Scholarship (Contracted): Accept an ROTC scholarship and participate in the program, agreeing to serve a minimum number of years as an officer in your chosen Military branch upon graduation.
Non-Scholarship (Contracted): Participate in ROTC without a scholarship and sign a contract during your Junior year, agreeing to accept a commission and serve a minimum number of years as an officer in your chosen Military branch upon graduation.
Non-Scholarship, Non-Contracted: Participate in ROTC activities until the end of your sophomore year without any service commitment upon graduation.
Non-Scholarship, Non-Contracted, Non-Participating: Without participating in other ROTC activities, take basic military science electives with instructor permission.

Track Your Path: From Undergrad to Officer

Curious about the process of joining the Military through ROTC? Explore every step of the process, from initial enrollment to gaining valuable leadership skills and opportunities during the course to commissioning upon graduation. See how ROTC can lead to personal growth and set you up for future career success, both in and after the Military.

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ROTC Rundown

Through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, Hope found an ideal way to pay for a college while jump-starting her career as a military officer.

Benefits of Joining ROTC

If you're already interested in joining the Military but don't want to put your education on hold, ROTC is a great way to jumpstart your career while earning a degree at the school of your choice. Need more reasons? Here are a few:

Scholarships, Financial Aid and Academic Support

In addition to developing tomorrow’s military leadership, ROTC is purpose-built to help you cover the costs of education in exchange for future service — and connect you with the resources and assistance to excel in your coursework.

Leadership Training

As the name suggests, the whole point of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is to train future officers — the leaders and managers of the Military — and if you accept an ROTC scholarship, you’ll commission as an officer once you graduate.

Career Flexibility

Military service looks great on a resume, and military service as an officer looks even better. After your commitment is complete, you can make the transition back into civilian life equipped with valuable skills — and enjoy a strong foundation for just about any kind of career.

Wellness and Dedication

The skills you’ll learn in ROTC aren’t just good for becoming an officer. They’re also invaluable assets for everyday life, like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, time management and physical fitness.

Networking

Like any good college organization, ROTC programs are also a great place to meet people, network and make connections that can help you in the Military and in civilian career fields afterward.

ROTC Programs

How Can I Join ROTC?

ROTC is voluntary — and selective. If you have narrowed in on the school you plan to attend or are already enrolled at a college or university, start by scheduling a conversation with the recruiting operations officer at your school.

If your chosen school doesn’t have an ROTC program on campus, don’t worry — many ROTC programs host students from multiple colleges and universities, and you’ll probably be able to enroll in a program nearby. In this case, check if your school offers “cross-enrollment programs” with other local institutions — and then, if they do, double-check if they provide travel assistance between campuses.

Once you’ve determined the scope of your service commitment and applied for the relevant scholarships, you can start enrolling in ROTC courses. To qualify for an ROTC scholarship, you’ll have to meet all of the following requirements:

be a U.S. citizen.
be at least 17 years of age.
have a high school GPA of at least 2.50 (3.0 for Air Force).
have a high school diploma or equivalent.
have an SAT score of at least 1200 combined, or a composite ACT score of at least 24.
meet physical standards.
agree to accept a commission and serve a term of duty (typically eight years, divided between active-duty and reserve service).

Search For Schools That Offer ROTC

What Is JROTC?

Even if you’re still in high school, you can start exploring what it means to be a leader. More than 3,500 high schools in the United States offer Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), a program that helps young people learn about leadership roles and better understand the responsibilities and privileges of U.S. citizenship. The JROTC program typically lasts two to four years, with enrollment starting in ninth grade. Some high schools also grant credits for core subjects taught in the program.

However, JROTC is not an enrollment requirement for ROTC, and there is no obligation to enlist in the Military after JROTC participation. It’s simply another opportunity for professional development with the help of veteran service members.

Learn More About JROTC

What Others Are Asking

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