The four major services, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines all offer a Reserve Officers Training program to train young men and women with a college career. After they complete their college training they then serve as a commissioned officer in one of the four branches of the service. Currently the United State Coast Guard does not have or participate in a ROTC program, but they do have career officer opportunities for young people who have a four-year college degree.
The ROTC program takes qualified young women and men and teaches them in college programs around the nation. ROTC is available in more than one thousand colleges and university programs in the United States. Some of these are full-fledged ROTC programs; others are cross enrollment or detachment groups. During the College school year, the ROTC candidate’s study as regular students at the college or university they attend. Included in their course of study are science, math and military courses that provide knowledge and specialized information that the people will use in their future career as a commissioned officer.
Once a week or at other times as defined by their ROTC unit, candidates wear a uniform, and participate in drills, or other practical military style training activities. During the summer there is additional drills or courses, or sometimes a ROTC student will participate in military drills or cruises, to help further their training. Scholarships are not necessary to participate in ROTC, but there are hundreds of college students who receive ROTC scholarships around the country. This helps pay for school, and allows a student to study more effectively without worrying how to pay for their education.
There are a great many different types of ROTC scholarships available. All four services offer four-year scholarships that include books, fees, full tuition and a monthly stipend. Other scholarships are offered; two, three, and even one-year term ROTC scholarships are available. The terms vary depending on the service involved. There are health related scholarships, and Nurse ROTC scholarships available.
With the rising cost of college, for many students the ROTC program is an effective way to fund their college education. The service commitment that is required after is fairly reasonable, and allows a student to then pursue a full military career as an officer, or to fulfill their hitch and then take their college education and military training and pursue a civilian related career.
