Do you have an interest in the military, but you want to continue with your education before you join? If so, you might want to consider joining the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp, or ROTC.

The ROTC is a college-based program that is meant to begin the training process for those who are interested in the possibility of serving as an officer in the military. Those involved with the program take ROTC classes as a college elective. During the course time, students learn problem solving and strategic planning skills while also engaging in leadership development and professional ethics coursework.

Those who complete an ROTC program are prepared to serve as officers in any of the U.S. Armed Forces other than the Coast Guard. As such, ROTC graduates constitute a significant portion of the officers in various branches. These include:

· 56% of U.S. Army Officers
· 11% of U.S. Marine Corp Officers
· 20% of U.S. Navy Officers
· 41% of U.S. Air Force Officers

In all, ROTC graduates make up 39% of all active duty officers.

If you are interested in participating in an ROTC program, you will be happy to know that all of the Armed Forces involved with the program offer scholarships that provide full college tuition. These scholarships are highly competitive, however, and are merit-based.

Once enrolled in the ROTC program, you will be referred to as a “cadet” if you are involved with the Air Force or Army. If you are involved with the Navy, on the other hand, you will be referred to as a midshipman. If you are involved through the Navy ROTC program, you can later enlist in the Navy or the Marine Corps.

If you are in the Army ROTC program, you will be placed into a unit that is referred to as a battalion, brigade or company. With the Air Force, on the other hand, you will be placed into groups, wings, flights and squadrons, while Naval ROTC units are divided into battalions.
ROTC programs are available at the high school level, though the program is not offered at all high schools. The same is true at the college level, so be sure to select a college that participates in the ROTC program if you plan to participate in the program. Once in college, you can start off by taking an ROTC basic elective course. If you have at least two more years of college left, you can easily complete the rest of the program while taking your regular college courses. If you have less than two years left to complete, you can participate in special coursework during the summer to get “caught up” in the program.