Minuteman vs. ROTC Scholarship

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arosu13

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Dec 20, 2017
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Hey guys. I applied for the AROTC scholarship and am going to wait to hear back from the third board. If that doesn't come through, I am interested in the minuteman scholarship. From what I've been told, it is the same concept except I have to go to drill for a weekend a month. Any information that is vital to me making a potential decision on the two? Is anyone knowledgeable about the process of obtaining a minuteman scholarship/the likelihood of obtaining one?

Thank you.
 
They[re not quite the same, but close. There is no stipend or book allowance as far as I can see, but big deal. U think the major potential drawback is that I expect (not certain) that you're required to go into the Reserves, since that's where the money is coming from. If you're OK with going into the reserves (if I'm correct) then the Minuteman Scholarship is a great deal. The PMS at the school of your choice should be able to confirm what options are open to you after commissioning (if not one else with more knowledge than I chimes in here).
 
Son did Strategic Midshipman Program (SSMP) but only available to students at several Maritime Academys. Yes he has an eight year reserve commitment but they gave him a great scholarship each year. Commission ceremony on USS Constitution. Now working Merchant Marine and fulfilling his obligation. Reserve active duty has been at San Diego. What a hard tour.
 
Our daughter has applied for both the ROTC Scholarship and the MM. Her recruiter said it wouldn't hurt to apply for both, even though she can only accept one. She went to basic training between her Junior and Senior year in HS and has been drilling with her Reserve Unit while in HS. This process is not essential for the MM scholarship but it helps.

Both scholarships offer basically the same benefits, but the commitment is different. The MM scholarship requires you to be in the Reserves or National Guard. Once you graduate college you cannot go active they require you to stay in the Reserves. I believe your commitment to the Reserves/Guard is a 4/4 commitment. 4 years active reserve and 4 years ready reserves. A recruiter can help you with the scholarship process. I haven't been able to find the percentage of awards.

The ROTC Scholarship has a 3 or 4 year active commitment (depends on your scholarship) and 4/5 years in ready reserves. I believe that 30% of scholarship recipients receive a 4 year scholarship and 70% receive the three year.

While on the MM you can opt for the SMP (simultaneous membership program.) For more information: https://www.thebalance.com/simultaneous-membership-program-rotc-4139867 . In the end, it really depends on the type of commitment you want to make.
 
Son is on his third year of Reserve with five to go after four year scholarship. One of the scholarship guys out of five in his class went active Navy. Son qualifies for commitment as long as he works at sea as Merchant Marine. If they keep sending my son to San Diego for his active duty time that is another bonus.
 
Last edited:
jkim8520 said:
does anyone have a school list for the MM scholarship
Click to expand...
The Minuteman program is a Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship. Given that, the school list would be the same as the AROTC school list, wouldn't it? I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I will correct me if I'm wrong.

I would add Google is your friend. Took me 10 seconds to get that quote above and 2 more seconds to apply logic to it.

An AROTC ROO can provide you with much more detailed information and inform you of any pros, cons, and pitfalls.
 
The Minuteman scholarship is available at an Army ROTC affiliated university. I'm a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army with an allotment of these scholarships and happy to answer any questions.
 
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