FAQs

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions, but if you don’t see your question here, please contact us!

• If I enroll in Army ROTC, what is my future service obligation?

  Enrolling in the ROTC Basic Course (the first two years of college) does not obligate you to serve unless you receive a scholarship. If you received a four-year ROTC scholarship, you must agree to serve four years full time as an Army Officer after you graduate and then either extend your contract for four more years or serve four more years with the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), where you’ll return to civilian life but need to be ready to help in a national emergency. If you receive ROTC scholarships, you will potentially have a four-year full-time or eight-year part-time contract.

• Can I still choose my college major?

  Yes, you can choose any college major you wish and still commission as an Officer through ROTC when you graduate.

• What are Army ROTC courses like?

  In college, Army ROTC classes normally involve one elective class and one lab per semester. Although the classes involve hands-on fieldwork as well as classroom work, they are standard college classes that fit into a normal academic schedule.

• If I’m in Army ROTC, do I still have to attend Basic Combat Training?

  No, you’ll receive this training as part of your ROTC coursework, so you do not have to attend Basic Combat Training as well. After graduation, you will attend Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC), which will prepare you for your career as an Army Officer through classroom and field training.

• How can I apply for an Army ROTC scholarship?

  Once you complete your junior year of high school, you can get a head start on your future by applying for the ROTC National Scholarship (a four-year scholarship). Applications open at the start of each summer. To see all important application dates and learn more, visit Army ROTC Scholarships. To get started on your scholarship application right away, create an account on My GoArmy as the first step.

• What is the typical career path for an Army Officer? What career fields are available?

  The Army has a wide range of careers in more places around the world than any other U.S. military branch. Army ROTC offers mentorship, shadowing opportunities, and real-world leadership training while still having the full college experience.

  Army ROTC graduates are commissioned as US Army Second Lieutenants. They then receive specialized training in one of 17 different Army branches. During their Army careers, they will receive regular professional training as they advance through the ranks, and they will have many opportunities for advanced leadership positions and post-graduate education.

• What are the chances that I will be deployed?

  ROTC Cadets do not deploy. Once they are commissioned, however, it depends on the Army branch the Cadet chooses and the unit to which they are assigned. All Soldiers in the Army or Army Reserve face the possibility of deployment during their careers. But understand that all Soldiers are fully trained and proficient in the tasks and drills of their units. And Officers are specifically trained to make the right decisions so that missions can be carried out safely and successfully.