Factors for 3yr v 4ys ROTC?

While diversity in ROTC is becoming more important, economic diversity doesn't seem to be a priority when giving scholarships.
Agreed. However, in the past I believe that 4 year ROTC scholarships offered an avenue for the poor to attend college and serve their country. Perhaps that is only important during times of war when the more "well heeled" can pay their own way through college and the military cannot find enough students to fulfill their ROTC goals. Then the poor students become VERY attractive to ROTC.

While some may suggest that the poor can attend CC, while living at home and commuting (usually without a car) at O'Dark Thirty to the nearest ROTC unit/battalion/detachment (providing of course that you live near a CC and ROTC and the bus routes) ....I wonder how well that would actually work for most students....including our own. But then that may just be the price they have to pay for being poor.

Just to be clear....I don't have a dog in this fight. Both of my children received 4 year ROTC scholarships (although one went to USAFA). Had things worked out differently my wife and I (and my children) would have paid/financed their college costs....because we are able. It is difficult for me to understand how families without even our middle class means are able to pay for college. And single parent homes or "kids" without much/any parental support/help?

I've never been accused of being a bleeding heart liberal (just the opposite actually) but I wonder whether the military isn't missing the boat by not providing opportunities to the kids that most need the scholarships and probably would most appreciate an opportunity to change their futures. JMPO...
 
Agreed. However, in the past I believe that 4 year ROTC scholarships offered an avenue for the poor to attend college and serve their country. Perhaps that is only important during times of war when the more "well heeled" can pay their own way through college and the military cannot find enough students to fulfill their ROTC goals. Then the poor students become VERY attractive to ROTC.

While some may suggest that the poor can attend CC, while living at home and commuting (usually without a car) at O'Dark Thirty to the nearest ROTC unit/battalion/detachment (providing of course that you live near a CC and ROTC and the bus routes) ....I wonder how well that would actually work for most students....including our own. But then that may just be the price they have to pay for being poor.

Just to be clear....I don't have a dog in this fight. Both of my children received 4 year ROTC scholarships (although one went to USAFA). Had things worked out differently my wife and I (and my children) would have paid/financed their college costs....because we are able. It is difficult for me to understand how families without even our middle class means are able to pay for college. And single parent homes or "kids" without much/any parental support/help?

I've never been accused of being a bleeding heart liberal (just the opposite actually) but I wonder whether the military isn't missing the boat by not providing opportunities to the kids that most need the scholarships and probably would most appreciate an opportunity to change their futures. JMPO...

+1
 
Agreed. However, in the past I believe that 4 year ROTC scholarships offered an avenue for the poor to attend college and serve their country. Perhaps that is only important during times of war when the more "well heeled" can pay their own way through college and the military cannot find enough students to fulfill their ROTC goals. Then the poor students become VERY attractive to ROTC.

While some may suggest that the poor can attend CC, while living at home and commuting (usually without a car) at O'Dark Thirty to the nearest ROTC unit/battalion/detachment (providing of course that you live near a CC and ROTC and the bus routes) ....I wonder how well that would actually work for most students....including our own. But then that may just be the price they have to pay for being poor.

I'm really not sure ROTC scholarships were used to as a tool to help low income students pay for college. I will agree that they did benefit from the fact that during the heat of the recent conflicts, many of those with the family financial support saw no reason to take advantage of the scholarships offered. Less advantage students that Goaliedad spoke of that did not have the EC's and AP classes other students had available were able to take advantage of these scholarships. Funny that when the conflicts started a turn to the end and stock portfolios took a dive, those that kept a distance came back in droves.

When I mentioned attending a CC it was in regard to AROTC, a student would not be required to attend ROTC the first two years. They would complete CC and then attend LTC and start AROTC as a transfer junior.

We were not as lucky as some, we did not have the ability to fund an entire 4 years for two son's. Had they not received the scholarships both would have had some student loan debt or would have started out at CC's, so I am in no way against the idea that scholarships can be a big help to those that need some help.

I also agree that ROTC should be recruiting in all schools and all demographics, inner city and the suburbs.
 
I read some research on AROTC recruiting a while back, and the conclusion was that the Army, with limited resources, "needed to fish where the fish were biting". In some regions and schools, ROTC is simply unpopular, and spending a lot of money in those markets was/is a waste of time and money.

2nd point, In the past congress (some specific congressman/senators) has vigorously defended ROTC funding as a great leg up/out for individuals from 'limited means'.
 
At my DS college, 4 year s/ships have been reduced over the last two years.


Year 2011-12 8 x 4 year s/ships
Year 2012-13 4 x 4 year s/ships
Year 2013-14 1 x 4 year s/ships

The cadet who received this years only 4 year s/ship fell at the first fence, after only seven days, one for the recycle bin.
 
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