Should I do the 4 year ROTC scholarship application if I do not want a scholarship?

A

armypanda_

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I have mentioned before that I don’t think I need an ROTC scholarship, and don’t want to take that money that could be going to someone else. However, I received an email that says I should apply for a 4 year ROTC scholarship from goarmy.org, and I feel like just submitting an application would get my name out there and start the ROTC process.

Any other suggestions on how to complete signing up for ROTC? I don’t really understand ROTC at all, the only things I saw was a check mark on the common app.
 
Oh wait the email says, "We would like to invite you to submit an application to Army ROTC with the possibility of being awarded a 4 or 3 year scholarship." So I'll just fill out the form and specify later that I don't want a scholarship.
 
I am confused. Are you applying to service academies? If yes, then you are expressing a desire to serve in the military. If you don't get an appointment to the academies, what is your plan B?

ROTC is a path to commissioning. If you truly desire to serve, then for most applicants it is a solid Plan B.
 
1) Do you wish to commission as an officer in the Army?
2) If so, do you have the means to cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board at a 4 year institution which also has an Army ROTC unit?
3) If yes to the means and you don't wish to accept a scholarship, why apply? You can join ROTC without a scholarship. You don't need to get your name "out there" in this way. Simply contact the ROTC at the school you wish to attend.
4) If no to the means, then apply to the scholarship.
 
Heatherg21 said:
I am confused. Are you applying to service academies? If yes, then you are expressing a desire to serve in the military. If you don't get an appointment to the academies, what is your plan B?

ROTC is a path to commissioning. If you truly desire to serve, then for most applicants it is a solid Plan B.
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I am applying to the service academies, this is my plan B. I’m confused on what you’re saying.
 
WMTA said:
1) Do you wish to commission as an officer in the Army?
2) If so, do you have the means to cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board at a 4 year institution which also has an Army ROTC unit?
3) If yes to the means and you don't wish to accept a scholarship, why apply? You can join ROTC without a scholarship. You don't need to get your name "out there" in this way. Simply contact the ROTC at the school you wish to attend.
4) If no to the means, then apply to the scholarship.
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I want to do ROTC if I do not get into an academy, however I do not know how to go about applying for it without applying for a scholarship as well. My family is perfectly capable of paying full tuition and board and any other fee, cost, or payment required to go to college; for this reason, I do not want to take money from the government when we can perfectly well pay on our own. Especially after reading a thread about cutting ppl in ROTC for not having enough money in their budget.

And ok I will contact the ROTCs at the individual schools.
 
armypanda_ said:
I am applying to the service academies, this is my plan B. I’m confused on what you’re saying.
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@WMTA posed the questions better than I did. If you don't need the money for the tuition books etc., no need to apply.

If you intend to turn down the scholarship, why apply at all? There are a limited number of them and they are very competitive.
 
armypanda_ said:
I want to do ROTC if I do not get into an academy, however I do not know how to go about applying for it without applying for a scholarship as well. My family is perfectly capable of paying full tuition and board and any other fee, cost, or payment required to go to college; for this reason, I do not want to take money from the government when we can perfectly well pay on our own. Especially after reading a thread about cutting ppl in ROTC for not having enough money in their budget.

And ok I will contact the ROTCs at the individual schools.
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Awe, okay, now this makes more sense. Thank you for clarifying.
 
Heatherg21 said:
@WMTA posed the questions better than I did. If you don't need the money for the tuition books etc., no need to apply.

If you intend to turn down the scholarship, why apply at all? There are a limited number of them and they are very competitive.
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Well idk if the information they need on a scholarship is the same things I submit to ROTC.
 
armypanda_ said:
Well idk if the information they need on a scholarship is the same things I submit to ROTC.
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I don't know that either. I only experienced our son applying for NROTC scholarship and receiving it. I would think reaching out to the unit at the school you wish to attend would be the best place to start.
 
Okay....
I am addressing Army ROTC here as that is my area of experience.

I'm assuming your Plan B here and you do NOT receive an academy appointment.
If you don't need the money, don't apply for the 4 year ROTC scholarship.

Simply attend a college that accepts you AND that offers Army ROTC.
Before school begins, reach out to the ROO of the Battalion at the college and advise them that you intend to ENROLL in ROTC and to compete for a non-scholarship CONTRACT. (see form DA 597 - https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A597.pdf)

You will have to prove to the cadre during your MS-I and MS-II year that you deserve a non-scholarship contract which is your ticket to enter the "Advanced Course" which is your MS-III and MS-IV years.

If you don't use a scholarship, I believe you will be eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill sooner than those cadets who commission WITH a scholarship.
** EDIT ** If you don't use the scholarship, you will be eligible for the Post 9-11 GI bill in 3 years, whereas you would need to serve 8 years AD if you use an ROTC scholarship or graduate from a service academy. Many thanks to @bman for the clarification. ​

As my DS commissioned over two years ago, my information is somewhat dated, so I will defer to our resident AROTC cadre members such as @MohawkArmyROTC and @clarksonarmy for any corrections.
 
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AROTC-dad said:
Okay....
I am addressing Army ROTC here as that is my area of experience.

I'm assuming your Plan B here and you do NOT receive an academy appointment.
If you don't need the money, don't apply for the 4 year ROTC scholarship.

Simply attend a college that accepts you AND that offers Army ROTC.
Before school begins, reach out to the ROO of the Battalion at the college and advise them that you intend to ENROLL in ROTC and to compete for a non-scholarship CONTRACT. (see form DA 597 - https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A597.pdf)

You will have to prove to the cadre during your MS-I and MS-II year that you deserve a non-scholarship contract which is your ticket to enter the "Advanced Course" which is your MS-III and MS-IV years.

If you don't use a scholarship, I believe you will be eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill sooner than those cadets who commission WITH a scholarship.

As my DS commissioned over two years ago, my information is somewhat dated, so I will defer to our resident AROTC cadre members such as @MohawkArmyROTC and @clarksonarmy for any corrections.
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Thank you for these specifics. Do I reach out AFTER I get in but before I attend, or should I reach out before I even get accepted? What’s the deadline to join?
 
armypanda_ said:
Thank you for these specifics. Do I reach out AFTER I get in but before I attend, or should I reach out before I even get accepted? What’s the deadline to join?
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I don't think there is any harm in reaching out earlier, but watch your timing. It is late August and the fall semester/quarter is about to begin so the cadre on campus are all scrambling to prepare for the academic year to start. ROTC Orientations (or even classes) may in fact be underway.

Research (google) who the Recruiting Operations Officer is (don't bother the PMS) and send an email or place a phone call. Try to schedule an appointment for either a virtual or in-person meeting with the ROO. The PMS might or might not opt to sit in depending on how crazy things are. Be informed about the battalion (read their website) and try not to ask ultra basic questions that you should already know.

Be patient, as it may take several attempts on your part to receive a response due to volume of contacts.
 
Remember, almost any student can enroll in the Basic course as MS-I and MS-II but you must be contracted (with or without a scholarship) to become an MS-III and enroll in the Advanced Course.

Here is another good enrollment website from U of Delaware:

Enrollment | Army ROTC

How to Enroll in Army ROTC If you are interested in Army ROTC: 1. Contact Recruiting Office for more information 2. Look over instructions on ...
www.armyrotc.udel.edu www.armyrotc.udel.edu
 
AROTC-dad said:
Remember, almost any student can enroll in the Basic course as MS-I and MS-II but you must be contracted (with or without a scholarship) to become an MS-III and enroll in the Advanced Course.

Here is another good enrollment website from U of Delaware:

Enrollment | Army ROTC

How to Enroll in Army ROTC If you are interested in Army ROTC: 1. Contact Recruiting Office for more information 2. Look over instructions on ...
www.armyrotc.udel.edu www.armyrotc.udel.edu
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Ok wait, so the first 2 years is it just like classroom courses that are taken from your elective classes?
 
armypanda_ said:
Ok wait, so the first 2 years is it just like classroom courses that are taken from your elective classes?
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Nope. Not even close.

YES, there are classroom lectures for ROTC for all four years.

BUT there's more....

LOL. You will work your *** off.

You will give up some perfectly good weekends for FTX where you may get bitten by all sorts of bugs, get filthy dirty and come back exhausted only to have to wake up Monday at 0500 for PT.
 
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