There are a lot of courses that teach about leadership. But if you want to be in leadership and start gaining leadership opportunities right now, there's no better path than ROTC.
Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) allows you to earn your officer's commission while you attend college and earn your degree. ROTC consists of both academic classes and hands-on training to challenge you both mentally and physically. Participation takes just a few hours per week, so you can still maintain other academic studies, campus sports and social activities. But you’ll also be learning about leadership and teamwork, and have the opportunity to learn skills like mountaineering, rappelling and orienteering. It may be one of the best college classes you’ll ever take.
The four-year Army ROTC program is divided into two parts: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. By participating in the entire four-year program, you can major in nearly any field and still come straight out of college as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard. Both courses will help you succeed in college and beyond.
The Basic Course is usually taken during the first two years of college. Unless you receive National Guard scholarship funds, you can take the Basic Course and incur NO military obligation. In addition to regular physical training, you’ll learn basic leadership skills and military fundamentals:
The Advanced Course is offered during the final two years of college to students who demonstrate the interest and potential to become Guard officers, and who meet the physical, mental and scholastic standards. In order to take the Advanced Course you must have completed the Basic Course or have attended the Leader's Training Course (see below). You will also be required to commit to serve as an officer in the National Guard following graduation. In addition to regular physical training, Advanced Course studies generally include*:
*Army ROTC curriculum may vary, depending on your school.
If you have not taken the Basic Course but wish to pursue your commission through ROTC—and have at least two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate)—you can attend the Leader's Training Course (LTC). This intense, four-week course, held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY, is an accelerated version of the ROTC Basic Course.
Packing a two-year course into four weeks means you'll be totally immersed in Army instruction. You'll take part in drills, physical training, classroom sessions and field exercises. You'll also develop individual and team skills through squad tactics, combat simulations and mission operations. Every part of this four-phase course will help hone your leadership skills and prepare you to enter the ROTC Advanced Course.
You'll receive housing, meals and a stipend, as well as transportation to and from Fort Knox. After you successfully complete LTC, you'll be eligible to enter the ROTC Advanced Course at your college. You'll be required to commit to serve as an officer in the National Guard or Army following college. You may qualify for a $5,000 bonus and be eligible for a two-year scholarship. Check with your school's Military Science department or Army ROTC representative.
In addition to your campus participation with the ROTC Advanced Course, you will be required to attend the five-week Leader Development and Assessment Course, at Fort Lewis, WA, in the summer between your junior and senior years. During this course, leaders will train every cadet and evaluate military and leadership skills, and assess development in the classroom and during field exercises.
Upon successful completion of the ROTC Advanced Course, you’ll be commissioned as a second lieutenant. In addition to being an Army National Guard officer, you’ll have leadership skills that are in high demand outside the military. National Guard Scholarships may be available for qualified applicants. For more information, talk to an Army ROTC representative at a college campus near you.
Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as three or six years, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreThe Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Guard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $183 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 62.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreYou are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Your estimated total for the first year.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
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