Do I have to go to Basic Training to be in ROTC?
How
much time does ROTC require?
Do
I have to attend PLU in order to be in ROTC?
Do you have to go into the Army?
How
long do you have to be in the Army?
Are
there many females in ROTC?
How
early do you have to get up?
Could
you get sent to war (before graduation)?
Can
I join ROTC if I am already a Junior in college?
By
enrolling in ROTC am I joining the Army?
What
can I expect to learn by taking Army ROTC classes?
Is
there a military obligation during college?
What is the ROTC course composed of?
Does
Army ROTC offer scholarships?
On
what basis are scholarship winners chosen?
Can
only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?
How do students benefit
from Army ROTC?
So what happens after I graduate
from college and the ROTC program?
What
type of career opportunities are
available?
Is taking ROTC the same as "joining
up" for the military?
What
do ROTC students do?
When does my participation
in ROTC begin to incur a military service obligation?
Will ROTC conflict with my other
classes?
Can
I participate in other activities while taking ROTC?
Do
I have to wear a military uniform while taking ROTC?
I
heard that ROTC students are always running around in the woods. Is
that true?
Do we take field trips in ROTC?
Do I have any summer training requirements
in ROTC?
What is the time I owe the Army if
I complete ROTC and become an officer?
What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?
How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards?
On what basis are scholarship winners chosen?
How often are Army ROTC scholarships awarded?
How do students benefit from Army ROTC?
Do ROTC scholarships cover room and board?
Do I have to go to Basic Training to be in ROTC?
No, ROTC is designed to teach you what you need to be an officer, and you will not have to go to basic training.
How much time does ROTC require?
While in ROTC you will attend Physical Training from 0600-0730 M-W-F, you will have one class to attend for two hours per week, and once a month you will conduct training on a Saturday at FT Lewis.
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Do I have to attend PLU in order to be in ROTC?
No, you may attend any of these local schools and still be in ROTC at PLU: University of Washington Tacoma, Saint Martin's College, University of Puget Sound, Pierce College, Tacoma Community College, or South Puget Sound Community College.
Do you have to go into the Army if you take a scholarship?
Yes, you can serve the Army as an Officer in the Reserves or the National Guard (one weekend per month) or on Active Duty.
How long do you have to be in the Army?
You can spend as little as one weekend a month for 8 years or up to a 30 year career.
Are there many females in ROTC?
Thirty Five percent of Army ROTC cadets at PLU are female.
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How early do you have to get up?
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Physical Training is at 0600.
Could you get sent to war (before graduation)?
The probability of that happening is extremely low. The last time it was done was in the Civil War.
Can I join ROTC if I am already a Junior in college?
It is best to join ROTC as a freshman or sophomore, however you may join as a junior depending on your previous experience etc. The junior and senior years of the program are considered the Advance Course and require two years to complete. Due to the two year requirement, you need to have two years of school left before graduation in order to be academically aligned. This can also be a masters program if you already have a bachelor's degree.
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By enrolling in ROTC am I joining the Army?
No. Students who enroll in the 100 and 200 level ROTC classes don't join the Army. You'll simply take an Army ROTC class for which you will receive college credit. It's considered an elective course of study.
Is ROTC like
"boot camp"?
No. You'll focus on your academic degree at your school. Along the
way you'll complete a series of Army ROTC courses each semester. You
won't attend "Boot Camp".
No. ROTC is unique in many ways. While training along side other cadets during your ROTC career, you will develop many lasting friendships, but there are no fraternity dues and the environment in ROTC is disciplined.
What can I expect to learn by taking Army ROTC classes?
Leadership and management skills needed to become a U.S. Army officer or to enhance your civilian objectives.
Is there a military obligation during college?
During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation. Students who enter the Army ROTC Advanced course do incur a service obligation.
What is the
ROTC course composed of?
The ROTC program is divided into phases: The Basic Course studies Army history, organization, and structure. The techniques and principles of leadership and management are stressed throughout. The Advanced Course concentrates on tactical operations and military instruction, as well as advanced techniques of management, leadership, and command. You'll learn a great deal. You'll be well prepared to become an Army officer.
Does Army
ROTC offer scholarships?
Yes. Each year thousands of students attending colleges nationwide receive scholarships. ROTC awards them to students studying science, engineering, nursing, business, as well as a variety of other majors. These are substantial financial scholarships. In some cases, Army ROTC scholarships provide complete financial coverage.
On what
basis are scholarship winners chosen?
ROTC scholarships
are not based on financial need. Instead, they are awarded on merit.
Merit is measured by academic achievement, extracurricular activities
(i.e. sports, student government, or part-time work), and military
officer potential. Medical qualification is also a requirement.
Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?
Virtually anyone can enroll in ROTC Basic course classes. Most of our cadets are not scholarship recipients.
How do
students benefit from Army ROTC?
In college and after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience they receive are assets-whether pursuing an Army or civilian career. Employers place high value on the management and leadership skills that ROTC instructors stress. Plus, ROTC looks great on a resume. Upon completion of the ROTC course, and graduation, our cadets are commissioned as Officers in the U.S. Army.
So what
happens after I graduate from college and the ROTC program?
You'll begin your service as an Army Officer. You'll serve for a limited time either on Active duty (full time) or in the Army Reserves or National Guard (part time). You'll have the opportunity to lead other soldiers while earning an attractive salary with generous benefits. You'll grow professionally and personally while serving your country.
What type of career opportunities are available?
The US Army
is a large and complex organization. There are opportunities for Officers
with varied skills and interests. Among the areas of assignment are:
- Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Computer, etc...)
- Computer/Information Management
- Management/Administration
- Aviation
- Intelligence
- Finance/Accounting
- Medical/Nursing
- Legal
- Various Combat Branches
- and many more...
Is taking
ROTC the same as "joining up" for the military?
Not at all. ROTC is a series of elective college courses, which you can begin as a freshman with no military obligation. It is similar to taking any other class on campus.
Mainly they are just like any other college student. They earn an academic degree and learn to think and reason at the college level. Along the way they learn leadership skills and have experiences that will set them apart from their peers. These skills and experiences will qualify them to become officers in the US Army. Upon graduation, they are placed in job positions as Second Lieutenants, either on Active duty or in the Reserves or National Guard.
When
does my participation in ROTC begin to incur a military service obligation?
For most students, it's the start of your junior year of college. This is when you decide whether or not you want to pursue a commission in the Army. At this time you would sign a contract with the US Army. This applies to two-year scholarship students and all non-scholarship students in the program. A three-year or four-year scholarship winner becomes obligated at the start of their sophomore year.
Will ROTC conflict with my other classes?
No. Military Science classes are scheduled just like any other class. We have a planned curriculum to work with most common offered course requirements and also to accommodate the ROTC students at Saint Martin's College, UW Tacoma, Pierce, Tacoma Community College, and South Puget Sound Community College. That's not to say that you won't find conflicts, but you will find us flexible with regard to working through conflicts.
No. ROTC is taken for elective credit. ROTC students choose a major in any other course of study they are interested in and qualify for.
Can I participate in other activities while taking ROTC?
Yes! In fact, we highly encourage students to participate in other activities. We subscribe to the total person concept and want well-rounded individuals to lead the Army and the nation in the Twenty First Century. Participating in other activities is one of the criteria favorably looked upon when a student applies for an ROTC scholarship. Clubs, athletics, and volunteer activities are all helpful endeavors in developing your leadership skills.
Do I have to wear a military uniform while taking ROTC?
Yes. Once issued, you wear your military uniform to class. You will be issued the uniforms and equipment you need free of charge.
I heard
that ROTC students are always running around in the woods. Is that
true?
Not entirely. We do a good portion of our training outdoors. However, we do enjoy adventure activities such as rappelling, orienteering, and paintball. If these types of events appeal to you, then register for a class: You have nothing to lose!
Do we take field trips in ROTC?
Yes, once a month usually. These trips are called Field Training Exercises or FTXs for short. These trips are designed for ROTC students in order for them to enhance their leadership skills in a field environment. These trips include training on real Army bases, rides on helicopters, visits to historic battlefields, etc.
Do I have any summer training requirements in ROTC?
Yes, during the summer between your junior and senior years of college (normally), all ROTC students will attend the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). This 5-week leadership experience is the culmination of your training thus far, and goes a long way in determining your future as an officer. There are many other summer training opportunities that are entirely optional, such as the Army Airborne or Air Assault schools, the Northern Warfare training camp, or Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT). Some of these training opportunities may also be scheduled during interim.
What is the time I owe the Army if I complete ROTC and become an officer?
Eight years, but before you leave skid marks running away, let's break it down so it's not so daunting! These 8 years can be fulfilled in a number of ways: 3 or 4 years (depending on scholarship status) on active duty and then the remainder in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Essentially the IRR is a non-active status with no drill requirements. The other option is 6 years in a drill unit of the Reserves or National Guard, meeting one weekend monthly and two weeks each summer, followed by 2 years in the IRR. This obligation is federally mandated and is the same obligation across all services.
What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?
Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, an ROTC cadet might be found leading classmates through adventure training, down a river in a raft, or up a mountain wall.
How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards?
Scholarships are awarded at different monetary levels. At some schools an ROTC scholarship is worth up to $80,000, which goes towards tuition and educational fees. Also, scholarship winners receive an allowance of up to $4,000 a year.
On what basis are scholarship winners chosen?
ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need. Instead, they're awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited in academic achievement and extracurricular activities, such as sports, student government or part-time work.
Can only scholarship
winners enroll in ROTC?
No. Anyone can enroll in ROTC. And regardless of whether you're a scholarship winner or not, all ROTC books, supplies and equipment are furnished at not cost to you.
How often are
Army ROTC scholarships awarded?
4-year Scholarships are awarded once a year. Students apply by DEC 1st and selections are made continuously thru May 15. High School Seniors can apply on-line at www.armyrotc.usacc.com for a 4-year ROTC Scholarship. Also, two-year and three-year scholarships become available.
How do students benefit from Army ROTC?
In college and
after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience that
they have received are assets - whether pursuing an Army or civilian
career. Employers place high regard on the management and leadership
skills that ROTC instructors stress. Plus, ROTC looks great on a resume.
When cadets complete the ROTC course, upon graduation, they become
commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.
Do ROTC scholarships cover room and board?
Yes, here at PLU the Army Scholarship covers $20,000 per year. As a gift to Army ROTC students PLU covers the remaining tuition and room and board. The result is essentially a "full ride scholarship" to the student. Worth approximately $27,000.