Army

About Army

Top questions about Army

• How competitive is the Army ROTC national scholarship?

  The 4-year national scholarship is selective — only a minority of applicants receive one, and winners typically combine a strong GPA, solid SAT/ACT scores, athletics or fitness evidence, and demonstrated leadership. The good news: you don't need a national scholarship to join. Most cadets enroll without one and compete on campus for 3-year and 2-year scholarships once the cadre knows their performance firsthand.

• What service obligation comes with Army ROTC?

  Contracted and scholarship cadets incur an eight-year total military service obligation after commissioning. That's typically served as about four years on active duty followed by the remainder in the Individual Ready Reserve, or the full eight years in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve for cadets who choose a reserve-component commission. Non-contracted first- and second-year students can participate and walk away with no obligation.

• What does Army ROTC look like week to week?

  Expect physical training roughly three mornings a week, one military science class per semester, and a weekly leadership lab where cadets practice tactics, drill, and small-unit leadership. Most semesters also include a weekend field training exercise (FTX). Altogether it's usually 5–8 hours a week on top of a normal academic load.

• What does an Army ROTC scholarship actually cover?

  Army scholarship winners choose between full tuition and mandatory fees or room and board — whichever is worth more at their school. All contracted cadets also receive a monthly living stipend and an annual book allowance, and many host schools stack additional room-and-board or tuition discounts on top for ROTC cadets.