Frequently Asked Questions | ROTC

What is ROTC and it will pay for my college, right?

Army ROTC is the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and is phase one of Army Officers' training. Army ROTC produces officers for the Active Duty, Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve. There are several financial incentives available for our students to compete for. All cadets are assessed on are the Scholar/Athlete/Leader (SAL) criteria.

The minimum SAL criteria required to compete for our financial incentives are:

SCHOLAR: minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale once a university/community college GPA has been established.
ATHLETE: physical test score along with other activities such as 5k, tri-athalons, intramural and collegiate sports, etc.
LEADER: any extracurricular activities you have participated in along with working, currently enlisted in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve, volunteer time, memberships to clubs and organizations.

Is there a military obligation during college?

The first two years of Army ROTC can be done without commitment. Students are encouraged to take this time and make an informed decision on whether or not this is the right path for them. They cannot enter in to the third year of the program without making a commitment to both the Army ROTC and the Army.

What happens upon completion of the 4-year ROTC program?

The next step after college is to attend Phases II and III of Officers' training. Time and location for this training is based on the branch (job) they were awarded.

By enrolling in ROTC, are you joining the Army?

No. Students who enroll do not join the Army. They take a Military Science class each semester for which they receive credit. It is considered a college elective.

What is the difference between ROTC and Military Science?

ROTC is comprised of the Military Science classes, physical training, training exercises, Basic Camp, Advance Camp, etc. Military Science is the academic portion of ROTC. There are a total of 21 credit hours for Military Science.

What can students expect to learn by taking ROTC?

Introduction to the Army and critical thinking.
Examine the Army profession and what it means to be a professional in the Army.
How resiliency and fitness supports development as a leader.

What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?

Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that combines both classroom instructions with practical application through leadership labs. Our students learn through a "hands-on" approach.

How much time does ROTC take up weekly?

Our philosophy is academics first and ROTC second so whatever time is required to be successful in school plus Military Science class, Leadership Lab, physical training, and any additional training or ROTC events taking place. Time requirements increase with responsibility.
The freshman class only meets one day a week for 50 minutes. The sophomore through senior classes each meet two days a week and has a Leadership Lab as part of their curriculum.

Does ROTC offer scholarships?

Yes. There are scholarship opportunities: High School, Federal, Nurse, and the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships. For more information on our scholarships and eligibility requirements please visit our Financial Incentives page.

Can I get a scholarship after I contract?

No. All scholarship offers must be awarded prior to contracting.

Do I have to commit to the Army in order to receive the Illinois State Tuition Waiver?

No. The Illinois State Tuition Waiver, also referred to as the Illinois State Scholarship, is awarded by the State of Illinois to those students who meet the eligibility requirements in order to pursue a commission in the United States Army. The commitment is only to the Army ROTC Program for the semester the tuition waiver is awarded in. Please visit our Tuition Waiver page for more in formation on eligibility requirements.

Is there a limit to how many Illinois State Tuition Waivers I can receive?

No. As long as students meet and maintain the eligibility requirements then they can compete for the Illinois State Tuition Waiver every semester they are in the program.

Is there summer training involved with Army ROTC?

Yes. Basic Camp is conducted between freshman and sophomore years and Advance Camp is conducted between junior and senior years. Both are four weeks long and are conducted at Fort Knox, KY. *Basic Camp is not mandatory for all students.

If I've attended basic training do I need to take the Military Science I and II classes?

No. While basic training can give you constructive credit for the first two years of Army ROTC it all depends on how many semesters you have remaining at the university. We highly recommend taking the classes so you stay aligned with your year group, get use to the culture of Army ROTC, and provide yourself as much time as possible to see if this is really the right path for you.

Can I have a life and family outside of the military?

YES! Whether you elect to go Regular Army (active duty), Army National Guard or Army Reserve you can have a normal lifestyle. It should be of no surprise though that time will be spent away from friends and family for deployments (combat and humanitarian), training and schools. Active Duty posts have Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) sites that host family, single Soldier and community events.