How many College Programmers are in ROTC units?

[Ihavenoidea]

I'm trying to get a idea of the percentages of CPers at ROTC units versus scholarship recipients. I know that the number of CPers will be reduced from Freshman to Senior because many will get scholarships during there college career, but does anybody know what the percentages are? I've searched but can't seem to find any data or even guesses. Thanks

 

[jaglvr]

Which branch? You'd be surprised that the majority are usally CPers. And unless someone says anything, you won't know who is or isn't. Scratch that, I know at A&M the NROTC scholarship guys had a ribbon on their uniform. But AFROTC at my DD's place doesn't designate.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

I'm wondering in general about the Cper's/scholarship percentage. If I had to guess, I would say that CPer's are likely a significant portion. I would also guess that most branches have similiar percentages. Though AF might be alittle lower since they have less and smaller units than Navy and Army. Though that is just a guess.

 

[kinnem]

I'm trying to get a idea of the percentages of CPers at ROTC units versus scholarship recipients. I know that the number of CPers will be reduced from Freshman to Senior because many will get scholarships during there college career, but does anybody know what the percentages are? I've searched but can't seem to find any data or even guesses. Thanks

I don't know the percentage but in my son's unit it was significant. I would guess at least 50%. I would point out that plenty of scholarship folks will drop too.

 

[BJD16]

More college programmers at public universities. Some may also be SMP cadets and be part of the Guard or Reserves. In my ROTC unit, I don't remember any programmers from Marquette, but there were some from U Wisc-Milwaukee.

 

[FastFood44]

Anecdotal:
My commissioning class 2 years ago was roughly 12 high school scholarship winners, and ended with about 4 CP who picked up scholarship along the way. I think in the 4 years I was in ROTC, I only saw one person graduate as a CP without picking up scholarship

 

[Ivy22]

It is highly dependent on the unit. In mine, there was only 1 college programmer the whole 4 years I was there (so 7 classes of mids total) who eventually followed through, got a scholarship, and commissioned. There were maybe 2 or 3 others that chose on the own not to go for the commission or were med DQed.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

As others noted it greatly varies by branch– even at the same school.

• There are some units in some branches that “fill up” with scholarship winners against that year’s cap (to size the program) and won’t accept college programmers. Embry Riddle’s Class of 2027 is an example for NROTC.
• There are branches, Air Force ROTC, who have changed their model and offer far less HSSP (high school scholarships) now. They also note they will offer far more 2 year scholarships for anyone who is INVITED to go to advanced training and complete years 3-4 of ROTC training with them. So that’s far less High school scholarships, far less 3 year scholarships, and far more 2 year scholarships *if invited. And you can have a 4.0, no write-ups, and not be invited.
• Generally, CPs outnumber HS scholarship recipients, but not in all cases. see example above where that is not the case. In some branches like army, from HS, 2250 -3000 (depends on the needs of the service and candidate pool - last year reportedly about 3000, a few years ago reportedly 2250,with about 1/3rd being 4 year and 2/3 being 3 year awards). Scholarships may be awarded from HS (less now for AF reportedly). The numbers of scholarship winners can be skewed – one school had 49 of the navy’s scholarship winners for the class of 2023. Others had none. Perhaps other units or consortiums like San Diego's consortium had more.
• Marine HS scholarships / Nursing HS scholarships are very tough to get. Well they all are from HS, but join and meet standards and excel in grades, PT etc. and people DO get scholarships in Army and Navy.
• As you explore programs you should look into which branch and schools offer room and board or allow the student to keep merit/ financial aid moneys toward room and board or other costs. One school the 4 year scholarship winners get room and board covered for Navy and Army, but not Air force. Four years of these costs, especially in the world we live in today with 16500 for room and board and higher at some schools… it adds up.
• Attrition: Programs are designed for people to try it, and not everyone makes it to commissioning. At one school Air force starts with over 300 cadets but they commission less than 50. Most drop in the first 3 semesters or aren't invited to continue after 2 years. Other schools have a much lower initial participation, and attrition rate.
• In the Army/ Navy it seems those meeting standards have a solid shot at picking up a scholarship from the starting CP route. In the Air Force they have a marred reputation for unceremoniously cutting some 4.0, no write-up solid participants – scholarship and non-scholarship alike.
• Overall recommend you “go for it” and join as a CP if you are interested in doing so, and confirm the school takes CPs that you are or may be heading to. And if you do, commit/ go for it to learn, excel in academics that first year.
  Good luck and hope that helps.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

It is as I thought, It seems that there are a lot of CP's in the pipeline, but no real way to quantify. Interesting though. Thanks all that posted!

 

[Aglahad]

My program was about 30-40% MS I and II years. There is a lot of ebb and flow with students trying it for a bit and dropping out or never showing up again.

I never put a lot of thought into it. People would show up to PT once in a while or class for a semester then disappear completely.

 

[Gearhead5]

As others noted it greatly varies by branch– even at the same school.

• There are some units in some branches that “fill up” with scholarship winners against that year’s cap (to size the program) and won’t accept college programmers. Embry Riddle’s Class of 2027 is an example for NROTC.
• There are branches, Air Force ROTC, who have changed their model and offer far less HSSP (high school scholarships) now. They also note they will offer far more 2 year scholarships for anyone who is INVITED to go to advanced training and complete years 3-4 of ROTC training with them. So that’s far less High school scholarships, far less 3 year scholarships, and far more 2 year scholarships *if invited. And you can have a 4.0, no write-ups, and not be invited.
• Generally, CPs outnumber HS scholarship recipients, but not in all cases. see example above where that is not the case. In some branches like army, from HS, 2250 -3000 (depends on the needs of the service and candidate pool - last year reportedly about 3000, a few years ago reportedly 2250,with about 1/3rd being 4 year and 2/3 being 3 year awards). Scholarships may be awarded from HS (less now for AF reportedly). The numbers of scholarship winners can be skewed – one school had 49 of the navy’s scholarship winners for the class of 2023. Others had none. Perhaps other units or consortiums like San Diego's consortium had more.
• Marine HS scholarships / Nursing HS scholarships are very tough to get. Well they all are from HS, but join and meet standards and excel in grades, PT etc. and people DO get scholarships in Army and Navy.
• As you explore programs you should look into which branch and schools offer room and board or allow the student to keep merit/ financial aid moneys toward room and board or other costs. One school the 4 year scholarship winners get room and board covered for Navy and Army, but not Air force. Four years of these costs, especially in the world we live in today with 16500 for room and board and higher at some schools… it adds up.
• Attrition: Programs are designed for people to try it, and not everyone makes it to commissioning. At one school Air force starts with over 300 cadets but they commission less than 50. Most drop in the first 3 semesters or aren't invited to continue after 2 years. Other schools have a much lower initial participation, and attrition rate.
• In the Army/ Navy it seems those meeting standards have a solid shot at picking up a scholarship from the starting CP route. In the Air Force they have a marred reputation for unceremoniously cutting some 4.0, no write-up solid participants – scholarship and non-scholarship alike.
• Overall recommend you “go for it” and join as a CP if you are interested in doing so, and confirm the school takes CPs that you are or may be heading to. And if you do, commit/ go for it to learn, excel in academics that first year.
  Good luck and hope that helps.

Well said. It depends on the branch, unit, and university. ERAU Daytona is a perfect example. For the past two, and maybe more years, the ERAU NROTC detachment has had only 1-2 openings for CP, the rest were HSSP mids. As for ERAU AFROTC the vast majority are CP, non scholarship cadets, with up to 250 in each incoming class. They commission nowhere near that number. I have been told for ERAU AFROTC all a student needs to do is sign up for AF-101& AF-101L through the university. Relatively easy to start - Much harder to stay!