Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide, ROTC prepares young adults to become military officers. It emphasizes leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills while also fostering physical fitness and self-discipline.

The oldest and largest ROTC program is offered by the Army, which, naturally, focuses on leadership training for future Army officers. Next is Navy ROTC, which develops officers for both the Navy and Marine Corps. Lastly, there’s the Air Force ROTC, which prepares students to serve as officers in the Air Force or Space Force.

For many students, the scholarship offered by ROTC is a great way to receive help with tuition — and with two-, three- and four-year scholarship options based on the time needed to complete your degree, there’s plenty of flexibility to decide and join the program at your own pace. And, there are several ways to participate in ROTC:

1. Scholarship (Contracted): Accept an ROTC scholarship and participate in the program, agreeing to serve a minimum number of years as an officer in your chosen Military branch upon graduation.
2. Non-Scholarship (Contracted): Participate in ROTC without a scholarship and sign a contract during your Junior year, agreeing to accept a commission and serve a minimum number of years as an officer in your chosen Military branch upon graduation.
3. Non-Scholarship, Non-Contracted: Participate in ROTC activities until the end of your sophomore year without any service commitment upon graduation.
4. Non-Scholarship, Non-Contracted, Non-Participating: Without participating in other ROTC activities, take basic military science electives with instructor permission.

How Can I Join ROTC?

ROTC is voluntary — and selective. If you have narrowed in on the school you plan to attend or are already enrolled at a college or university, start by scheduling a conversation with the recruiting operations officer at your school. If your chosen school doesn’t have an ROTC program on campus, don’t worry — many ROTC programs host students from multiple colleges and universities, and you’ll probably be able to enroll in a program nearby. In this case, check if your school offers “cross-enrollment programs” with other local institutions — and then, if they do, double-check if they provide travel assistance between campuses. Once you’ve determined the scope of your service commitment and applied for the relevant scholarships, you can start enrolling in ROTC courses. To qualify for an ROTC scholarship, you’ll have to meet all of the following requirements:

• be a U.S. citizen.
• be at least 17 years of age.
• have a high school GPA of at least 2.50 (3.0 for Air Force).
• have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• have an SAT score of at least 1200 combined, or a composite ACT score of at least 24.
• meet physical standards.
• agree to accept a commission and serve a term of duty (typically eight years, divided between active-duty and reserve service).

Search For Schools That Offer ROTC

What Is JROTC?

Even if you’re still in high school, you can start exploring what it means to be a leader. More than 3,500 high schools in the United States offer Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), a program that helps young people learn about leadership roles and better understand the responsibilities and privileges of U.S. citizenship. The JROTC program typically lasts two to four years, with enrollment starting in ninth grade. Some high schools also grant credits for core subjects taught in the program. However, JROTC is not an enrollment requirement for ROTC, and there is no obligation to enlist in the Military after JROTC participation. It’s simply another opportunity for professional development with the help of veteran service members.

Learn More About JROTC