Am I too old?

E

EngineerHopeful12

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Jul 26, 2022
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I’m 23 years old. I dropped out of college when I had an incredible scholarship (Stupid I know) I’ve since started a career in sales, a very successful one I might add, but I absolutely hate it. I make great money, but I would much prefer to get back in school, as a much more responsible adult at this point, and serve my country following. Is it even possible to get a ROTC scholarship? What’s my best plan of action? My scores were very good but are now 5+ years old, and I’m not currently a high school senior. Would I have to enroll in a college first before having a chance of getting in a program? I appreciate your help.
 
Your age shouldnt make any difference. You shouldn't have any issue getting into the program. Now, if you want a scholarship, not sure how that would work but i would imagine you could get a school scholarship from Rotc if you do well your first semester
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
I’m 23 years old. I dropped out of college when I had an incredible scholarship (Stupid I know) I’ve since started a career in sales, a very successful one I might add, but I absolutely hate it. I make great money, but I would much prefer to get back in school, as a much more responsible adult at this point, and serve my country following. Is it even possible to get a ROTC scholarship? What’s my best plan of action? My scores were very good but are now 5+ years old, and I’m not currently a high school senior. Would I have to enroll in a college first before having a chance of getting in a program? I appreciate your help.
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You didn’t specify which service ROTC, but you’ll be able to see the requirements by researching online. Here’s AROTC - “at least 17 and not over 31 when commissioned.”
www.goarmy.com

ROTC Scholarships

Apply for an ROTC scholarship in order for the Army to help you pay for college, all while gaining invaluable leadership skills.
www.goarmy.com www.goarmy.com

It can be done, if you want it. Take the maturity you have developed from the working world, make a plan and execute it.
 
Thanks Capt MJ, I appreciate it. My plan is Army, just need to figure out who to get in contact with to work out the logistics. As far as actually getting a scholarship, I think I’ll need to be enrolled already. But, I’ll heed your advice and make a plan.
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
Thanks Capt MJ, I appreciate it. My plan is Army, just need to figure out who to get in contact with to work out the logistics. As far as actually getting a scholarship, I think I’ll need to be enrolled already. But, I’ll heed your advice and make a plan.
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Dive in at a target AROTC unit. Find their webpage at the school. Look up cadre. Gather your thoughts and questions and make contact. You won’t be the first older student they’ve seen.
 
The age should not be a factor but given you are starting 5 years later than most you need to be honest with yourself if you are in good physical conditioning. And have you saved enough money to fund at least a year of college waiting to hear about your scholarship selection?

Lastly.....you dropped out of college......due to low grades or? Those grades will be a factor for most ROTC boards.
 
I do have enough saved, plan is to try and continue to do so even more until then. I’ll have to leave my job when I decide to go back to school so I’ll have some extra leeway to find something else. And I dropped out bc I didn’t apply myself. Technically I withdrew out of my classes before that semester finished so none of those grades are reflected. And as far as physical conditioning, I’m working on that. Getting back to where I was, still a decent way to go but I’m willing to make it happen
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
I’m 23 years old. I dropped out of college when I had an incredible scholarship (Stupid I know) I’ve since started a career in sales, a very successful one I might add, but I absolutely hate it. I make great money, but I would much prefer to get back in school, as a much more responsible adult at this point, and serve my country following. Is it even possible to get a ROTC scholarship? What’s my best plan of action? My scores were very good but are now 5+ years old, and I’m not currently a high school senior. Would I have to enroll in a college first before having a chance of getting in a program? I appreciate your help.
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Your main question is already answered - no, you're not too old to join the ARMY ROTC program. You mentioned previously attending college - how many credits do you already have? One other path you may wish to consider is to keep your job, and go to school part time to get your degree and seek a commission via OCS. Would your employer provide any tuition reimbursement? A buddy of mine is completing his degree at a virtual college called SNHU but there are many like it - University of Phoenix etc. And some community colleges offer the same for like 5k per year total tuition. It's asynchronous/ self paced so he is overlapping some courses and completing more than one 3 credit course per month. Sometimes 2. He's flying through to get the degree that like for you, life interrupted some years ago. He listens to courses at 1.5 speed, and it's working out for him.

If your goal is the "college experience", I recommend you find a school heavy in graduate students or ROTC programs heavy in green to gold prior enlisted who are now getting their degree. If your goal is to just get a degree and serve as an officer, your fastest path without quitting your day job might be a couple of years of work hard, studying hard, and you could speak to an army recruiter for OCS to align your dream.

Good luck and thank you for your interest/ willingness to serve.
 
Alright everyone, I spoke with the school as well as the Cadre. I Okay’d everything on both ends of the enrollment. I’m going to be doing online courses for the equivalent of my first year while I’m still at my full time job. I have some that still transfer from school, and I’ll be doing 1-2 classes a semester including the winter and summer. On this track, I’ll be able to enroll in school full time fall of next year considering I’ll have more saved up, and join ROTC in my second year. Following that I can go to basic camp in the summer to catch up, and I’ll be back up to speed. This plan gives me plenty of time to get into tip top shape, and get back into schooling. I really appreciate everyone’s input, it was a serious help.
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
Alright everyone, I spoke with the school as well as the Cadre. I Okay’d everything on both ends of the enrollment. I’m going to be doing online courses for the equivalent of my first year while I’m still at my full time job. I have some that still transfer from school, and I’ll be doing 1-2 classes a semester including the winter and summer. On this track, I’ll be able to enroll in school full time fall of next year considering I’ll have more saved up, and join ROTC in my second year. Following that I can go to basic camp in the summer to catch up, and I’ll be back up to speed. This plan gives me plenty of time to get into tip top shape, and get back into schooling. I really appreciate everyone’s input, it was a serious help.
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A strategic plan with tactical elements! Keep us posted, press on and get it done.
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
Alright everyone, I spoke with the school as well as the Cadre. I Okay’d everything on both ends of the enrollment. I’m going to be doing online courses for the equivalent of my first year while I’m still at my full time job. I have some that still transfer from school, and I’ll be doing 1-2 classes a semester including the winter and summer. On this track, I’ll be able to enroll in school full time fall of next year considering I’ll have more saved up, and join ROTC in my second year. Following that I can go to basic camp in the summer to catch up, and I’ll be back up to speed. This plan gives me plenty of time to get into tip top shape, and get back into schooling. I really appreciate everyone’s input, it was a serious help.
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Get the degree.

If you do ROTC while in school, that's best.

If not, get good grades, pick a STEM major, preferably. Shoot for 4.0. But anything from 3.0 and over is good too.

Stay physically fit. Really fit. Now. And stay that way. Easy to say, hard to do. But you've got to do it on your own. Motivation.

OCS is always an option. Unlike the other armed forces, all Army recruiters are also officer recruiters. Army is biggest and has the most officer positions. Whether through West Point, ROTC or OCS. Once commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant, nobody cares how you got there.

Don't disregard National Guard or Army reserves, either. College financial opportunities exist there, too.

Hey, you're basically starting over from where you were at age 18 but there's still plenty of time. Determination will get get you to your goal.

Good luck!
 
Day-Tripper said:
Get the degree.

If you do ROTC while in school, that's best.

If not, get good grades, pick a STEM major, preferably. Shoot for 4.0. But anything from 3.0 and over is good too.

Stay physically fit. Really fit. Now. And stay that way. Easy to say, hard to do. But you've got to do it on your own. Motivation.

OCS is always an option. Unlike the other armed forces, all Army recruiters are also officer recruiters. Army is biggest and has the most officer positions. Whether through West Point, ROTC or OCS. Once commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant, nobody cares how you got there.

Don't disregard National Guard or Army reserves, either. College financial opportunities exist there, too.

Hey, you're basically starting over from where you were at age 18 but there's still plenty of time. Determination will get get you to your goal.

Good luck!
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Doing National Guard or Army Reserve does not preclude ROTC or going active duty.
This was my route. I realized after my sophomore year that “fat, drunk, and stupid” was no way to go through life. So I took a semester off and enlisted in the National Guard. I came back after basic training (I did the split training option), and in my spring semester got my grades high enough for ROTC the following fall. I like to say I made the Dean’s List every semester of college. Now which Dean’s list is a different matter.
I was able to get an active duty reserve commission upon graduation.
 
Not sure if it is just my state, but some of my friends enlisted in the NG and have received scholarships through that. Fairly minimal commitment and provides them with additional training from weekend drill plus the opportunity to be on the enlisted side of the household briefly prior to commissioning.
 
TB_Rays said:
Not sure if it is just my state, but some of my friends enlisted in the NG and have received scholarships through that. Fairly minimal commitment and provides them with additional training from weekend drill plus the opportunity to be on the enlisted side of the household briefly prior to commissioning.
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Probably the Minute Man Scholarship. All Soldiers in the USAR/ARNG may apply for it.
 
Hey Everyone, figured I’d post an update! I’m enrolling in some courses coming up this spring. I took the interim to really get into shape, and focus on the physical aspect. I’m very proud to say I’ve dropped a ton of weight, and am continuing to work on strength and endurance now. The plan did get delayed a bit, but so far moving well. I’ve added some additional avenues as options as well, but we’ll see what happens. I appreciate everyone’s support!
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
Hey Everyone, figured I’d post an update! I’m enrolling in some courses coming up this spring. I took the interim to really get into shape, and focus on the physical aspect. I’m very proud to say I’ve dropped a ton of weight, and am continuing to work on strength and endurance now. The plan did get delayed a bit, but so far moving well. I’ve added some additional avenues as options as well, but we’ll see what happens. I appreciate everyone’s support!
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Thank you for sharing with us. You have really taken control of your life and health. It always feels better to act, than react. Best wishes for success in finding your best path.
 
EngineerHopeful12 said:
Thanks Capt MJ, I appreciate it. My plan is Army, just need to figure out who to get in contact with to work out the logistics. As far as actually getting a scholarship, I think I’ll need to be enrolled already. But, I’ll heed your advice and make a plan.
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Yay go Army! There is a Cadet in my Battalion who is 32. And another who is 28, going green to gold. You have the opportunity to do great things!
 
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