Posted: 5/19/2009 3:44:00 PM EDT
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I've got 45 college credits, which is my freshman year. I will have my associates degree by the time I transfer to a university. I've contacted several ROTC units. The army will be able to provide a 4 year scholarship for any amount of undergraduate tuition. This would allow me to take 12 credits each term while in ROTC for up to four years. After commissioning I can earn my masters degree at online or evening classes at 100% free cost, provided by the army. I would probably have to attend a leadership camp or something along those lines, not certain yet.
I also contacted the AFROTC, that certainly was a hassle let me tell you. I called the national office for scholarships, told me it wasn't possible, I contacted a local university said I would have to forgo my credits. I contacted another local, instate university and the detachment officer told me since my major history or liberal arts or something such as that, has a 30% chance of getting selected, while technical scholarships have a 70% chance. I can earn a four year scholarship, which will more than likely be capped at 9,000 dollars a year. Two years in undergraduate and two years graduate level. Now since it pays 9k a year, I would have probably around a 1.5 k surplus for each of the first two years, and around a 3k deficit for the next two years each just based on tuition. Now, I would have to commission and do 4 years active in the air force, which would be cool. I'm still waiting for the naval results, now what would you do in my shoes? I would like to visit some places in the world, primarily in Europe. I have applied for AFROTC but not the ARMY or Navy yet, which I will do. |
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Question you haven't answered is whay are you thinking of ROTC. Is it to pay for your college? If so, then you need to have goals for after college and you are serving on active duty or in the NG after you graduate. If it's about the money, don't go ROTC at all. If you really want to serve in the Military, then go for program that gets you the most towards your goals.
I was the Senior Military Instructor for Minnesota State University in Mankato Minnesota from 2005-2007. Army ROTC is a great way to pay for college degree. We had a cadet who contracted for a full ride, received 100% state reimbursment for a GRFD contract (had to go and stay National Guard), and was in the Simultaneous Membership Program with a local Guard unit and was earning $40,000 a year as a college student. This was a unique situation but possible to earn enough money while in ROTC that you may not need a job while in college. You can contract with Army ROTC as a sophmore. |
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First of all, I like PIE.
Now, I would enthusiastically recommend Army ROTC to anybody. I took one semester of Army ROTC before heading over to the Navy/Marine side of the house. Now, part of what made the course fun were the dynamics of our two instructors Capt Thrasher and SSG Lawson. The Captain was a guy who had graduated from our school about 4 years prior and had done Airborne, Air Assault, and 3 years on the Ranger Challenge Team all in the ROTC Department. The SSG was a former Ranger School Instructor, I swear the dude was made out of railroad ties. But I digress.... When I was in college the Army paid you $500 a month to be in Army ROTC. I know that sounds like a sweet deal, but trust me, it got a lot harder to earn that money as you advanced through the semesters, it wasn't all fun and games and Hoo-ah stories. But, Army ROTC does give you some cool options, it gives you the opportunity to go to a high speed "scare me badge" school like Airborne or Air Assault, and if that isn't your cup of tea, you find out early and tailor your MOS draft picks accordingly. The Army can get you a whole slew of places worldwide, you just have to be able to blossom where you are planted. Whatever you decide, best of luck. 
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Quoted:
First of all, I like PIE. Now, I would enthusiastically recommend Army ROTC to anybody. I took one semester of Army ROTC before heading over to the Navy/Marine side of the house. Now, part of what made the course fun were the dynamics of our two instructors Capt Thrasher and SSG Lawson. The Captain was a guy who had graduated from our school about 4 years prior and had done Airborne, Air Assault, and 3 years on the Ranger Challenge Team all in the ROTC Department. The SSG was a former Ranger School Instructor, I swear the dude was made out of railroad ties. But I digress.... When I was in college the Army paid you $500 a month to be in Army ROTC. I know that sounds like a sweet deal, but trust me, it got a lot harder to earn that money as you advanced through the semesters, it wasn't all fun and games and Hoo-ah stories. But, Army ROTC does give you some cool options, it gives you the opportunity to go to a high speed "scare me badge" school like Airborne or Air Assault, and if that isn't your cup of tea, you find out early and tailor your MOS draft picks accordingly. The Army can get you a whole slew of places worldwide, you just have to be able to blossom where you are planted. Whatever you decide, best of luck. $500 a month? I think it was a whopping $150 when I went through. That seriously helps avoid working crazy hours to make ends meet - good for them to finally do that. |
| Yeah, it was good for beer money. But it was also the mid 90s, I think they were spending a little more on the whole "incentive" and "recruiting" thing. I honestly don't remember the exact figure, but it was a decent chunk of change for an 18 year old with no job. |
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I think you need to think about what you want to do. The military isn't all about what they can do for you, they can give you some amazing oppurtunities, but from reading some of your recent past threads you seemed to want to get the more from the .mil for less, I'm not sure if thats what you mean or not, thats just my observations and its worth what you paid for it.
That being said good luck with your decision. |
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I've got a total of 21 years of service, combined enlisted and warrant officer. I dropped out of college (with ROTC) to join the Army. I was bored and wanted a challenge.
Decide why you want to join the service. If it's for a reason like "free education", you will be very unhappy - and it will bleed over to your peers and subordinates. Also, "night classes" (a.k.a. Tuition assistance / eArmyU) with the Army always come with a fishhook: You owe them two years of service (called an ADSO - active duty service obligation) at the completion of your last class. We deploy a lot - reducing the time you will have available for those "night classes". It's not a free ride. It's not a free education. The Army gets it all back, one way or another. If you're not in it because you love your country and you're dedicated to the Army mission, it will be something you grow to regret and resent. |