ROTC Rules

nelson

5-Year Member
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Jul 20, 2011
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18
I'm cool with anything they throw at me, but what are the rules for ROTC? are there uniform requirements? or shaving rules? do non-scholarship cadets even receive uniforms?
 
Yep. There are uniform requirements, and shaving requirements while you are wearing the said uniforms. You are an image of the military and you have to present yourself in a good way. Non scholarship definitely gets uniforms, maybe after an initial screening at some schools; but definitely you get uniforms.
 
What service are we talking about? I can find uniform directives online to give you a taste of what you're in for, but looking at a gigantic publication like AFI 36-2903 would be very daunting for someone with no uniform experience.
 
I'm cool with anything they throw at me, but what are the rules for ROTC? are there uniform requirements? or shaving rules? do non-scholarship cadets even receive uniforms?

Believe me they will let you know everything you need to know when you get to school. Don't sweat it right now, enjoy what summer break you have and just be ready to listen and learn when you get there.
 
What service are we talking about? I can find uniform directives online to give you a taste of what you're in for, but looking at a gigantic publication like AFI 36-2903 would be very daunting for someone with no uniform experience.

Well, that's exactly what we do. One of my class assignments was to go through that and answer specific questions about how to wear the uniform, grooming standards, etc.

Most if not all units also have some kind of presentation (usually PowerPoint) that they'll show to cadets, and explain the uniform rules - they're very good at making you understand them haha. At the end of the day though, AFI 36-2903 is how we do it :thumb:

Edit: By the way, that's speaking to Air Force, but I would assume every branch has some kind of new student orientation program where you'll learn it all, and where to go for more info (like the AFIs).
 
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Well, that's exactly what we do. One of my class assignments was to go through that and answer specific questions about how to wear the uniform, grooming standards, etc.

Most if not all units also have some kind of presentation (usually PowerPoint) that they'll show to cadets, and explain the uniform rules - they're very good at making you understand them haha. At the end of the day though, AFI 36-2903 is how we do it :thumb:

Edit: By the way, that's speaking to Air Force, but I would assume every branch has some kind of new student orientation program where you'll learn it all, and where to go for more info (like the AFIs).
You're talking about JROTC?
 
I'm cool with anything they throw at me, but what are the rules for ROTC? are there uniform requirements? or shaving rules? do non-scholarship cadets even receive uniforms?

For Army ROTC, when in uniform, the requirements are the same as a regular soldier(No PDA, clean shaven, etc) Your battalion will tell you when you are actually wearing the uniform. For us, it's on the day we have leadership lab and classes.
 
I know that every detachment is different, but I was wondering how is works if you were to miss a class. I have a personal reason of why I would be missing class for a few days in the middle of the semester, but I do not want it to effect me tremendously in my detachment. Any information is greatly appreciated!
 
Well, I guess that would be up to your professor. Maybe they'd make you make it up, maybe they wouldn't.
 
I know that every detachment is different, but I was wondering how is works if you were to miss a class. I have a personal reason of why I would be missing class for a few days in the middle of the semester, but I do not want it to effect me tremendously in my detachment. Any information is greatly appreciated!

ROTC is not like regular school, it is a competition from day one. There will be a battalion OML that you will be placed on each semester. The OML will determine such things as your leadership positions, opportunities for summer training such as Airborne and Air Assault, it will also affect your chance for a CTLT spot the summer after your junior year.

Missing classes is not something the cadre likes to see, so yes it will affect your standing.

I'm not sure what kind of reasons you would have that you would know about so far in advance but I would talk to the cadre as soon as you can and let them know. You will find the most excuses don't carry much weight, as it should be.

I would try and work out your personal issues so you don't have to miss classes, you can't help injuries or a major family crisis, but then you wouldn't know those would happen in advance.
 
The reason I put personal reason on this forum is because it is my personal reason and it is not something that I would like to share with people on his forum. I will of course tell my detachment the reasoning and get it settled with them. I should have put NROTC instead of just ROTC, because the summer cruises are different for each branch. I have already emailed my point of contact for my detachment and I will settle it with them. Thank you very much for your input.
 
How about the haircut regulations? Should I be heading out there with a high and tight?
 
Each battalion has SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for requesting excuses. A form, signatures needed, etc... Make sure to follow your cadre's instructions and the procedure. It'll depend on the battalion.

As for the haircut, come to school clean cut and within standards. But you might want to wait just a bit before you shave your head or get a high and tight. Just a personal opinion. :thumb:
 
How about the haircut regulations? Should I be heading out there with a high and tight?

Go to a Barber just before you head to school, tell them you want a 3 on the sides and a 6 on top and taper the sides. This will make you look like you tried and will look clean cut. You will probably be required to get another haircut soon after you get started.

SCcandidate2015,

So your answer comes from your years of experience in ROTC?
 
No. I don't have personal experience. However, I know people at SMCs and they all say don't shave your head down to regulations, so as to not stick out and be "that guy."

Now, I don't know if sg1fan93 is going to a SMC. But I think I gave decent advice regardless of that.

No one wants to look like the trying-too-hard guy who thinks he knows everything.

I gave my advice because it was an easy question to answer, and it's a pretty straightforward question. I don't really need personal experience in such a small matter to make a judgment on it. It's just common sense. Blend in with appearance. Stick out with performance.

I want to add to my advice that you should not show up with hippie-esque long hair, either. Something shortish works.
 
SCcandidate2015,

So your answer comes from your years of experience in ROTC?
+1
No. I don't have personal experience. However, I know people at SMCs and they all say don't shave your head down to regulations, so as to not stick out and be "that guy."

Now, I don't know if sg1fan93 is going to a SMC. But I think I gave decent advice regardless of that.

No one wants to look like the trying-too-hard guy who thinks he knows everything.
Blend in with appearance (and attittude). Stick out with performance.

The key here are first impressions, if you show up with hair with neon green streaks in it (true story), the cadre are going to form impressions. The advice about 3 on the sides and whatever number you like on top is good advice. ( I usually get a 4 or 5)


Moral of the story,
Don't be that girl. :thumb:
 
sorry, but what is a "3" on the sides... it cannot refer to inches, so maybe centimeters?
 
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