Frequently Asked Questions
Q. By enrolling in ROTC, are you joining the Army?
A. No. Students who enroll in ROTC don't join the Army. They take an ROTC class for which they receive credit. It's considered a college elective.
Q. Is ROTC like "boot camp"?
A. No. ROTC cadets go directly to college where they earn their degree.
Q. What can students expect to learn by taking ROTC?
A. Quite simply, leadership and management skills needed to become a U.S. Army officer or have a successful civilian career.
Q. What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?
A. Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, an ROTC cadet might be found leading classmates through adventure training, down a river in a raft, or up a mountain wall.
Q. Is there a military obligation during college?
A. During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation (or the first year in the case of scholarship winners).
Q. What is the ROTC course comprised of?
A. The ROTC program is divided into phases: The Basic Course studies Army history, organization and structure. The techniques and principles of leadership and management are stressed throughout. The Advanced Course concentrates on tactical operations and military instruction, as well as advanced techniques of management, leadership, and command.
Q. Does Army ROTC offer scholarships?
A. Yes. Each year thousands of students attending colleges nationwide receive ROTC scholarships.
Q. How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards?
A. ROTC Scholarships awarded to Cal Poly students pay either full-tuition and fees or $10,000 per year in room and board costs. Typically, non-resident Cadets elect to have the Army pay for their tuition and fees as this amount is far greater than $10,000. Resident Cadets typically elect to receive the room and board pay out as it gives them the most control over the funds and how they are spent.
Q. On what basis are scholarship winners chosen?
A. ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need. Instead, they're awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited in academic achievement and extracurricular activities, such as sports, student government or part-time work.
Q. Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?
A. No. Anyone can enroll in ROTC. And regardless of whether you're a scholarship winner or not, all ROTC books, supplies and equipment are furnished at not cost to you.
Q. How often are Army ROTC scholarships awarded?
A. National Scholarships are awarded three times per year, typically in November, January, and March. On-campus scholarships can be applied for throughout the school year but are typically awarded between May and June.
Q. How do students benefit from Army ROTC?
A. In college and after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience that they have received are assets - whether pursuing an Army or civilian career. Employers place high regard on the management and leadership skills that ROTC instructors stress. Plus, ROTC looks great on a resume. When cadets complete ROTC, upon graduation, they become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.
Q: If I enroll in Army ROTC, won't I have a service obligation?
A: No. You can enroll in all ROTC classes with no service obligation. The obligation comes when you decide to contract into the ROTC program to become an Army Officer.
Q: If I do eventually contract and become a Second Lieutenant, I will have to serve on Active Duty, right?
A: No. Cadets may complete their entire service obligation after graduation in the Army Reserves or Army National Guard. Assignment to the Active Duty component of the Army is competitive.
Q: Won't ROTC interfere with my academic or athletic pursuits?
A: No. Our current cadet corps has an average cumulative GPA above the general university average. Yes, there are some time demands and some voluntary extracurricular activities in ROTC. But, simply put, ROTC cadets are more mature and prioritize better than many students. Your academic and athletic success is the highest priority. You must do well academically and athletically to succeed in ROTC. Army ROTC provides the best leader development program in the world. No corporation or leadership institute can provide the combined classroom and hands-on leadership training, education and practice as Army ROTC. During the academic year, your focus is on academics and getting your degree -- with ROTC classroom instruction and labs complimenting that education. What's best about Army ROTC is that while learning to become an Army officer, you are interacting, socializing and learning with students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, political ideologies and goals. This dynamic on campus develops the team-building, negotiating and consensus-building skills that Army officers need to succeed.
Q: I see ROTC as a potential interference to my career field. How can you get around that one?
A: Well, there are surely some career tracks where ROTC may not help you, but the exceptional record of graduating cadets getting jobs in their fields is well above average. In the Reserves, networking creates additional opportunities, and most employees view Reservists or officers leaving active duty in very positive terms. Further, students that emphasize their ROTC enrollment are generally viewed as desirable to most employers because of their competitive leadership and managerial abilities, maturity, and time management skills.
Q: What about haircuts, wearing uniforms, and harassment?
A: Well, you have to be well-groomed; hair off your ears and not down your shoulders (crewcut not required). You will learn how to wear a uniform properly, but the uniform is only required to be worn once a week during leadership lab. We emphasize proper decorum, respect, military courtesies, ethics and standards of conduct; all of which apply equally well to non-military, professional careers.
Q: What can Army ROTC do for me even if I only want to enroll for a year or two?
A: If you enroll in Army ROTC, we will help you become a better person in a number of ways. ROTC will help develop the leadership and managerial skills applicable to any field. ROTC will assist you in your progress as a student, helping you plan and maintain positive progress towards degree fulfillment. Class sizes are small and everyone is given personal counseling. We compel you to stay in shape and improve your physical fitness. We give you the opportunity to learn what the military is all about these days - the role of the Army and its soldiers, (strategy, politics, technology, standards, career fields, etc.) We provide additional fun and learning activities, and opportunities for you to make more friends than virtually any other organization on campus. Cadets consistently relate that one of the best aspects of the ROTC program is the camaraderie students find among each other.
