What is a "college programmer"?

goldenlion

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I see the term "college programmer" all over these forums.

What is this? I've tried googling it and searching these forums, but can't find an explanation.

Thanks in advance.
 
I see the term "college programmer" all over these forums.

What is this? I've tried googling it and searching these forums, but can't find an explanation.

Thanks in advance.

A college programmer is a college student who participates in ROTC without a scholarship. They participate fully and have the same opportunities and responsibilities as ROTC scholarship students (except for summer programs/cruises). It's just that there are no monies involved.

That being said, some schools offer financial benefits to ROTC participants to which a college programmer would be entitled.
 
goldenlion,

I should add there is a small (and becoming smaller) chance of receiving an in-school ROTC scholarship as a college programmer. I assume your DD is looking at AFROTC in which case SFT is still required or they can no longer participate. For NROTC they must achieve Advanced Standing by Junior year to stay in the program. I don't think AROTC has such a cutoff, as their release valve is commissioning to Reserves/Guard.

Hope this helps. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have about it to the best of my ability. I assume your either just curious, or looking at backup plans.
 
What is the difference between a college programmer and walk on?
 
Nothing as far as AFROTC is concerned. As others have stated the big difference is the scholarship recipient is contracted, will get tuition, book stipend and monthly allowance.

The det will not know about any non-scholarship students, until later after the cadet matriculates to the college. Obviously once the register for classes at orientation they will register for ROTC, so it is rare for anyone to show up on the 1st day of classes and add ROTC to their schedule.
 
What is the difference between a college programmer and walk on?

Nothing that I can discern from the NROTC side.

As far as I know, NROTC midshipmen are either on scholarship, not on scholarship and hoping for an NROTC College Program scholarship, or prior enlisted in a fleet ascension program. The Navy itself also has a few other commissioning programs for college students that don't involve NROTC, like the NUPOC program.
 
I would add to other folks' posts that the trigger, for NROTC at least, is enrollment in Naval Science LAB (not Naval Science). I wouldn't recommend just walking on via this route; although that can work if enrolling in the class a couple months before the start of the semester.

There is paperwork that needs to be completed, including a physical by your own physician, a tatoo scan, and I believe some other application/enrollment materials. It IS possible that you may be rejected although highly unlikely unless the physical were to reveal sonething serious. There is also Freshman Orientation which usually occurs a week or two prior to the normal arrival on campus. My son's unit contacted him upon his enrollment in the Naval Science Lab in June.

Of course it can't hurt to be in contact with the unit prior to enrollment.

I assume the other branches operate similarly, although you know what happens when you ass-u-me.
 
Thank you...that helped a lot. BTW, DD is applying to Army ROTC.

Walk-ons, or college programmers also sign up and take Military Science and lab. They can take MSI & II without contracting, but in order to proceed into their 3rd year of AROTC a contract must have been offered and accepted by the cadet. My DS is a MSI and has a few "programmers" in his group. The AROTC APFT(Army Physical Fitness Test) is discussed at length on other threads, make sure your DD takes a look at these requirements and is ready to impress the cadre early on. Good luck to her as she proceeds - its a crazy ride, but seems to be worth it:wink:
 
goldenlion,

I should add there is a small (and becoming smaller) chance of receiving an in-school ROTC scholarship as a college programmer. I assume your DD is looking at AFROTC in which case SFT is still required or they can no longer participate. For NROTC they must achieve Advanced Standing by Junior year to stay in the program. I don't think AROTC has such a cutoff, as their release valve is commissioning to Reserves/Guard.

Hope this helps. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have about it to the best of my ability. I assume your either just curious, or looking at backup plans.

are the in-school rotc scholarships for college programmers based on financial need or on merit? are they sponsored by the school itself?
 
ROTC scholarships are merit based be it HS or IS.

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=5429

Check the sticky in the ROTC forum because some colleges will give reduced rates or scholarships for the college cadet/mid regarding room and board which may also be a deciding factor in his selection process.

Double check with the college to make sure they still offer it.

Singapore posted a very in depth list for Army, but many colleges also do this for other services too. (Post 16-20). It doesn't hurt to check with the school.
 
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