ROTC without scholarship

pbanks13

5-Year Member
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Apr 1, 2012
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Although I am still hoping that I will receive a ROTC scholarship, I was wondering how one would go about entering an ROTC program without the scholarship? I am assuming this is the same for all branches, but I would love to hear if I am wrong.
 
For the most part, in AROTC for the MS1&2 class, you just sign up like any other class.

You probably want to go visit the cadre and express your interest in the program. At my school, the MS1&2 instructors don't usually issue all the uniforms and gear to people who just take the class, but if you're interested in advancing through the program and into the Army, they do. Provided that you express interest through involvement.
 
while any student at a University may take the ROTC academic classes, I think participating in the Lab is what makes a person an official part of the Unit. I believe to participate in the Lab, a student must show they are physically well, much as a high school student does... by getting a release from their doctor.
 
while any student at a University may take the ROTC academic classes, I think participating in the Lab is what makes a person an official part of the Unit. I believe to participate in the Lab, a student must show they are physically well, much as a high school student does... by getting a release from their doctor.

dunninla, as usual, is absolutely correct. It's best to call the cadre, not only as a courtesy, but to make sure you're signing up for the right classes. But if you can't reach them I'm sure you'll figure it out. I'm assuming you'll enroll in classes over the summer or something so they will then have the info they need to send you any necessary materials about orientation (I assume AROTC has an orientation).
 
My DS is accepted into two schools so far, Univ of So Carolina and Auburn, and he wants to do NROTC-MO even if he doesn't receive a scholarship (so we have also been checking this out). Auburn requires you separately apply for the program by some date in June, I think - not sure about other schools, but think it is best that you contact the unit early to be sure you comply with their requirements (and take the right courses, etc, like kinnem said).
 
while any student at a University may take the ROTC academic classes, I think participating in the Lab is what makes a person an official part of the Unit. I believe to participate in the Lab, a student must show they are physically well, much as a high school student does... by getting a release from their doctor.
let me correct one item... anyone may take ROTC classes in the first two years, also called Basic Course. Noone may take ROTC Advance Course classes unless they are Contracted.

Basic course classes are a way for ROTC Cadre to interest students who never applied for a Scholarship, or who didn't even know what ROTC was, to consider joining the Battalion as a non-scholarship cadet, on a path to either in-college scholarship, or Contracted at the end of Sophomore year without a scholarship.
 
And if contracted at end of sophomore year without a scholarship, the midshipman is entitled to the stipend (just to expand even more) and will commission provided Marine Options pass/survive OCS (or whatever for Navy Option). I think they'll also do summer training their rising junior year but I'm not certain about that, and it further assumes summer training survives any budget cuts.
 
You can join AROTC or AFROTC w/o a scholarship. You don't to have a scholarship to become an officer in either program.

Big note for AFROTC though: In the spring semester of your sophomore year, you have a package with your credentials (GPA, PFA score, standardized test scores, etc.) submitted to AFROTC HQ to compete for an "enrollment allocation" (EA) to field training, a summer boot camp-style exercise that is mandatory to commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. These are offered on a competitive basis, meaning not everyone gets one. No EA = you're not becoming an officer through ROTC. In this regard, the EA is even more important than any type of scholarship!

In layman's terms, it's kinda like a high school basketball team. Everybody gets to play JV, but there's going to be cuts when you go up for the varsity team. Work your butt off and make sure you don't get cut!

NROTC has a similar make-or-break type setup with contracting. If you're not contracted, on-scholarship by the end of your soph year, you're not becoming an officer.
 
You can join AROTC or AFROTC w/o a scholarship. You don't to have a scholarship to become an officer in either program.

Big note for AFROTC though: In the spring semester of your sophomore year, you have a package with your credentials (GPA, PFA score, standardized test scores, etc.) submitted to AFROTC HQ to compete for an "enrollment allocation" (EA) to field training, a summer boot camp-style exercise that is mandatory to commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. These are offered on a competitive basis, meaning not everyone gets one. No EA = you're not becoming an officer through ROTC. In this regard, the EA is even more important than any type of scholarship!

In layman's terms, it's kinda like a high school basketball team. Everybody gets to play JV, but there's going to be cuts when you go up for the varsity team. Work your butt off and make sure you don't get cut!

NROTC has a similar make-or-break type setup with contracting. If you're not contracted, on-scholarship by the end of your soph year, you're not becoming an officer.

AROTC has something similar but I'm not sure how difficult it is to get approved for their advanced course.
 
No EA = you're not becoming an officer through ROTC.
... well, I'd go a bit further than that and say that if you are not selected to go to SFT, goodbye at any future shots at commissioning in the AF.
 
... well, I'd go a bit further than that and say that if you are not selected to go to SFT, goodbye at any future shots at commissioning in the AF.

Yeah I didn't wanna be so absolute about it though..but yeah if your credentials are good enough to receive an EA then OTS, the only option left, would be nigh impossible.
 
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