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Frequently Asked Questions

IS ARMY ROTC HELPFUL FOR A CAREER OUTSIDE OF THE ARMY?

  • Army ROTC is one of the only college programs that teaches leadership. This training is invaluable for any career that involves leading, managing and motivating people, or fostering teamwork. Young Army Officers are typically responsible for hundreds of Soldiers and millions of dollars in equipment; this kind of management experience can be very attractive for post-Army employers. For more details, see: Legacy & Value .

IS ENROLLING IN ARMY ROTC THE SAME AS JOINING THE ARMY? ONCE A STUDENT STARTS TAKING ROTC COURSES, ARE THEY OBLIGATED TO JOIN THE ARMY?

  • Enrolling in Army ROTC is not, strictly speaking, joining the Army. You will not be sent to boot camp. However, the primary purpose of the Army ROTC program is to produce officers for the Army, so you must agree to serve as an officer in the Army after graduation in order to go through the entire program, or if you have received an ROTC scholarship. Enrolling in the ROTC Basic Course (the first two years of college) does NOT obligate you to serve unless you have also received a scholarship. For more details, see: Service Commitment.

WHAT IS MY ARMY SERVICE OBLIGATION TO PAY BACK ANY SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS OR FOR ENROLLMENT IN THE ROTC ADVANCED COURSE?

  • Scholarship winners must serve for four years; non-scholarship Cadets who enroll in the ROTC Advanced Course must serve for three years. All who graduate and complete ROTC training are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. For more details, and answers to common questions, see: Service Commitment .

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE ARMY ROTC OVER A DIFFERENT BRANCH'S ROTC?

  • Simply put, the Army offers a wider range of career opportunities, in more places around the world, than any other U.S. military branch.  The U.S. Army is the 4th largest organization in the entire world. If you can dream it, you can do it in the Army.

ARE ALL COLLEGE MAJORS COMPATIBLE WITH ARMY ROTC?

  • Army ROTC Cadets are allowed to major in nearly all academic areas.

WHAT ARE ARMY ROTC COURSES LIKE? HOW WILL THE CLASS WORK HELP ME? WILL ROTC CLASSES INTERFERE WITH MY OTHER STUDIES?

  • Army ROTC classes normally involve one elective class and one lab per semester. Although the classes involve hands-on fieldwork as well as classroom work, they are standard college classes that fit into a normal academic schedule. These courses develop student c haracter, decision making, and leadership. For more details, see: Curriculum.

HOW WILL BEING AN ARMY ROTC CADET AFFECT MY DAILY LIFE? WHAT IS ROTC IN COLLEGE LIKE? DO CADETS EXPERIENCE NORMAL COLLEGE LIFE AND ACTIVITIES?

  • Army ROTC Cadets have the same lifestyles and academic schedules as any other college student. They join fraternities and sororities. They participate in varsity team and individual sports. They take part in community service projects. But there are two intensive Army ROTC courses that take place on Army Posts, usually during the summer:
  • Leader's Training Course —This four-week summer course at Fort Knox, Kentucky is ONLY for students who enroll in Army ROTC without having taken the first two years of military science classes.
  • (Also commonly referred to as Basic Camp).
  • Cadet Leadership Course —All Cadets who enter the Advanced Course must attend this five-week summer course at Fort Knox, Kentucky between their junior and senior years.
  • (Also commonly referred to as Advanced Camp).

CAN I GO INTO THE ARMY RESERVE OR NATIONAL GUARD AFTER GRADUATION INSTEAD OF THE ACTIVE ARMY?

WHAT IS THE TYPICAL CAREER PATH FOR AN ARMY OFFICER? WHAT CAREER FIELDS ARE AVAILABLE?

  • Army ROTC graduates are commissioned as U.S. Army Second Lieutenants. They then receive specialized training in one of 17 different Army branches. During their Army careers, they'll receive regular professional training as they advance through the ranks, and they'll have many opportunities for advanced leadership positions and post-graduate education.

CAN MY ORGANIZATION REQUEST AN ROTC COLOR GUARD FOR AN EVENT?

  • Yes! Please use the following link to contact us and provide all relevant information about your event. Contact Us - Color Guard