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.
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.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.
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.
... 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.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.