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Hello,

If I don't apply for a NROTC scholarship, but then get into, let's say, school X. School X has a NROTC program. Can I join the unit when I get to school X in the fall? If possible, how does that process work?

If so, what are the differences (if any) between scholarship and non-scholarship midshipmen?

Also, does that entail a different amount of time for service commitments?

Thanks!
 
You basically tell them u want to join prior to school starting. In my son’s case, the school has a one week orientation prior to school starting. 2-3 days before orientation ends, he split off and attended Afrotc orientation . You can go through rotc for two complete years and then quit without there being a problem . At the beginning of the 3rd year, you contract with them and will have to go enter the military when you graduate . Those with scholarship can quit after the end of year 1 with no additional requirements. If you continue into year 2, you are contracted and will have to serve. If for some reason , you leave the program, you will have to repay your scholarships
 
Here are links to two university summaries of NROTC college program (non scholarship) requirements.

https://kunrotc.ku.edu/college-program
https://www.navy.iastate.edu/about/college-program/

It is important to note that earning a contract or sideload scholarship after two years of participation is very competitive. If you don't receive one by the end of the sophomore year, you are no longer allowed to participate into the junior year also known as Advanced Standing.

Speak to the NROTC recruiting officer at the college for more info.
 
Here are links to two university summaries of NROTC college program (non scholarship) requirements.

https://kunrotc.ku.edu/college-program
https://www.navy.iastate.edu/about/college-program/

It is important to note that earning a contract or sideload scholarship after two years of participation is very competitive. If you don't receive one by the end of the sophomore year, you are no longer allowed to participate into the junior year also known as Advanced Standing.

Speak to the NROTC recruiting officer at the college for more info.


Thanks. And does every school with NROTC offer college-program ROTC and scholarships? Or only a select few.

Can you commission without ever receiving a scholarship? If so, what’s the service obligation?
 
All schools with NROTC offer CP.

Yes. Scholarship is not required to commission, only Advanced Standing.

I believe the service obligation is the same. Hopefully @NavyNOLA can confirm this.
 
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Navy CP advanced standing service obligation is currently three years, soon to change to four years.
 
If you live near the school, or if you plan to visit the school, call the ROTC office and schedule a visit to meet with the ROTC officer. This person can best answer all your questions. My son did this and it was a terrific way to get accurate information and also to begin to get to know this person who he'd be under (had he ended up attending this school). It was a good experience for him and he ended up meeting with this officer a few times.
 
Here are links to two university summaries of NROTC college program (non scholarship) requirements.

https://kunrotc.ku.edu/college-program
https://www.navy.iastate.edu/about/college-program/

It is important to note that earning a contract or sideload scholarship after two years of participation is very competitive. If you don't receive one by the end of the sophomore year, you are no longer allowed to participate into the junior year also known as Advanced Standing.

Speak to the NROTC recruiting officer at the college for more info.


Thanks. And does every school with NROTC offer college-program ROTC and scholarships? Or only a select few.

Can you commission without ever receiving a scholarship? If so, what’s the service obligation?
There is no difference in terms of how long u have to serve between receiving or not not receiving a scholarship . You serve the same amount of time
 
My DD graduated last year without a scholarship and with a three year service obligation.
As she opted for SWO nuke, that increased her service obligation to six years (technically five-and-a-half, but the clock won't start ticking until she finishes a couple of schools and reports for permanent duty, which adds six months)
For subs, it would have been five years; for pilot it would have been app. ten years.
As a non-scholarship officer, she is eligible for full GI Bill benefits for a master's degree after three years.
With a scholarship, eight years are required prior to any GI Bill benefits (5 years of service for scholarship, 3 more years for GI Bill benefits)
 
At my DS battalion there is no difference in how midshipman, scholarship, advanced standing or college program are treated. They all get uniforms and participate in all activities except summer cruise. You need a scholarship or advanced standing to participate in a summer cruise. Some of the college programmers that were awarded scholarships during their freshman year, to activate during their sophomore year were allowed to go on a summer cruise. I believe this is a recent change.
 
(I don't claim to know anything about other branch ROTC programs so please take this with that in mind.) My DD is a 4 year NROTC recipient. 4 year scholarship Midshipmen get an additional summer cruise vs. side scholarship recipients as they start CORTRAMID their first summer following freshmen year (just like USNA mids). If you are not on scholarship, you do not participate in the summer trainings (at least for Navy) unless and until you get a shcolarship or are granted Advanced Standing status. I agree with AROTC-dad above that side scholarships are definitely not a "given" and are extremely competitive. Also, participants that are not granted a scholarship after two years (and are then not granted Advanced Standing Midshipmen in lieu of scholarship) will not commission and will be disenrolled from NROTC. My advice is that if a student still has time to apply for the 4 year scholarship, they should at least try (although it is nearly as competitive as the service academies) as this is the best way to experience NROTC (or the others). If they don't get the 4 year, you need to do well in college to help your application for side scholarships. Hope this helps.
 
Just to make sure I am understanding all of this correctly. You can participate as a College Programmer for 2 years, without a scholarship or advance standing. However, if at the start of your 3rd year you do not have a side load scholarship or advance standing, then you have to disenroll from the ROTC program? Let's say this happens, but you continue at college (which you obvioulsy should) and graduate with your degree - can you then enlist as an officer or are you still commisioned as an officer? Sorry, if this is a dumb question - just new to this whole process.
 
Just to make sure I am understanding all of this correctly. You can participate as a College Programmer for 2 years, without a scholarship or advance standing. However, if at the start of your 3rd year you do not have a side load scholarship or advance standing, then you have to disenroll from the ROTC program? Let's say this happens, but you continue at college (which you obvioulsy should) and graduate with your degree - can you then enlist as an officer or are you still commisioned as an officer? Sorry, if this is a dumb question - just new to this whole process.

If a NROTC College Programmer does not get offered a scholarship or contract for Advanced Standing by the end of Sophomore year, he/she still has options:
  • Some contact the Army ROTC recruiting officer (ROO) on their campus and transfer over. They usually are sent to Basic Camp to help "catch up".
  • Others graduate without any ROTC but then apply to Naval OCS after graduation.
  • I believe that Marine PLC may be an option but I am not certain. A Marine OSO would be a good source for this info as well as the NROTC/Marine Option advisor.
I hope @NavyNOLA chimes in and confirms the above.
 
Just to make sure I am understanding all of this correctly. You can participate as a College Programmer for 2 years, without a scholarship or advance standing. However, if at the start of your 3rd year you do not have a side load scholarship or advance standing, then you have to disenroll from the ROTC program? Let's say this happens, but you continue at college (which you obvioulsy should) and graduate with your degree - can you then enlist as an officer or are you still commisioned as an officer? Sorry, if this is a dumb question - just new to this whole process.

If a NROTC College Programmer does not get offered a scholarship or contract for Advanced Standing by the end of Sophomore year, he/she still has options:
  • Some contact the Army ROTC recruiting officer (ROO) on their campus and transfer over. They usually are sent to Basic Camp to help "catch up".
  • Others graduate without any ROTC but then apply to Naval OCS after graduation.
  • I believe that Marine PLC may be an option but I am not certain. A Marine OSO would be a good source for this info as well as the NROTC/Marine Option advisor.
I hope @NavyNOLA chimes in and confirms the above.
Thank you AROTC-dad - I can always count on you for an answer. You have been a wealth of help through this entire process.
 
If you don't get a scholarship or AS in NROTC before your junior year and are disenrolled, your best option for pursuing a Navy commission would be to finish your degree and apply for OCS. You can start talking to an OCS recruiter the summer before your senior year, perhaps sooner. PLC would be an option for the Marine side, but I'm not sure about the timeline for that. We've had Marine CP sophomores do both NROTC and PLC to hedge their bets in case they didn't get a scholarship or AS. However, they all were lucky enough to receive a scholarship.
 
I have a question. I am a non scholarship army ROTC Cadet. I am prior enlisted. I joined last year as an MSlll. I want to dis enroll from the program, but am unaware of the consequences or repayment issues. Can anyone help me out?
 
I have a question. I am a non scholarship army ROTC Cadet. I am prior enlisted. I joined last year as an MSlll. I want to dis enroll from the program, but am unaware of the consequences or repayment issues. Can anyone help me out?

Did you sign a contract? Would you be starting your MS4 year this fall, did you attend Advanced Camp this summer?

Best bet is to talk to your Cadre, they are the ones that will be able to answer your question and let you know your options.
 
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