How to Join

High school? In college? Enlisted? There is a way to become an Officer in the US Army.

 

Scholarships

There are two, three and four-year scholarships available for non-contracted cadets. Four-year national scholarships are offered to high school seniors (Applications are due around December); three and two-year scholarships are offered to college freshmen and sophomores (These applications are due in March each year) All awards are based on GPA, interview results, and participation in community and school activities. All scholarship and contracted cadets also receive a subsistence allowance of $300 to $500 per month while attending school. Green to Gold scholarships are offered to Army active duty personnel in four, three and two-year terms. All applications can be obtained by calling 1-800-USA-ROTC or by creating an account and applying online.

Show me the MONEY!!!

  • Scholarships pay full tuition and mandatory fees.
  • In addition to the awarded scholarship, each winner receives a flat rate of $1200 annually for books, supplies and equipment as well as up to $300 to $500 per month stipend during school.
  • Selection of winners is based on academic record, SAT or ACT test results, school official's evaluations, extracurricular, leadership and athletic activities, a scholarship board, and the Army Physical Fitness Test.
  • Since the Army, like many of today's top organizations, value technological skills, scholarship preference is given to students pursing degrees in engineering, the physical sciences, and nursing. Students pursuing other degrees are also encouraged to apply and these students are often scholarship winners as well.
Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for a scholarship if you meet the following requirements:

  • You're a U. S. Citizen.
  • You will be 17 years of age or older before the scholarship is effective.
  • You have a minimum SAT score of 920 or a composite ACT of 19.
  • You have 2.5 high school GPA.
  • You have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or greater (if college freshmen or sophomore).
  • You participate in leadership, extracurricular and athletic activities ( a part-time job earns you substitute credit).
  • You'll be under 27 on June 30 of the year you expect to graduate from college (qualifying veterans may be granted an age extension of up to three years.)
  • You're a high school graduate or have equivalent credit.
  • You agree to accept a commission in the United States Army.
  • You must pursue an Army approved academic major.
  • You must also meet required physical standards.
Your ROTC Commitment

As a winner of a 4, 3 or 2-year scholarship, you're required to take an ROTC class, which meets two times each week. You will be required to attend physical training three times a week and leadership laboratory once a week as well as one field training exercise per semester. Upon graduation, you have an obligation to accept a commission and serve full time in the Active Army for four years, or part time in either the Army National Guard, or the US Army Reserve for eight years.

ROTC's Commitment to You

In addition to helping you meet the escalating cost of going to college, our program provides an experience that successful careers are built on. You'll be given personal, scholastic and professional training no other college course offers. You'll learn how to take charge, how to perform under pressure, and how to lead and inspire others. You'll graduate with an impressive resume in leadership and management, and with the background employers value. That makes ROTC a step in a very smart direction.

How to receive an application

High school students should call 1-800-USA-ROTC to obtain a four-year scholarship or Green to Gold application. You'll also receive important information which will make your transition to college much easier. You may also call the Ram Battalion Recruiting and Scholarship Officer at (970) 491-1640 or email MAJ Brook Nelson.

College students should contact the Ram Battalion or the nearest Military Science Department. (970) 491-1640 or (970) 491-6506, and ask for MAJ Brook Nelson, UNC Recruiting and Scholarship Officer. Call us and we can call you back to save long distance charges!!

 

Enlisted Soldiers

The Simultaneous Membership Program is a volunteer officer training program that allows Army National Guard and Army Reserve enlisted members to participate in the ROTC Program. Upon completion of Basic Training, a reserve component solider that is completing a four year degree can join ROTC and earn a commission as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation.

In addition, contracted non-active duty scholarship ROTC cadets and Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) scholarship cadets can join a reserve component unit and the SMP Program.

The intent of SMP is to increase officer accessions into the Reserve Components by increasing ROTC enrollment from enlisted National Guard and Reserve members who are attending college.

 WHAT DOES SMP MEAN TO ME?

 The SMP program provides:

  • An opportunity to gain both a commission as a Second Lieutenant and a college degree.
  • Hands-on management and leadership training.
  • An ROTC cadet stipend as a contracted ROTC cadet plus E-5 drill pay as a serving Guardsmen or Reservist.
  • Annual Training and ROTC Advanced Camp pay.
  • An opportunity to win a 2-year RFD scholarship.
  • An opportunity for volunteer training in Airborne, Air Assault, Northern or Mountain Warfare Training.

 WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Anyone who:

  • Has completed Basic Training.
  • Is an academic sophomore and in the National Guard or Reserve.
  • Is physically qualified.
  • Is under 30 years of age upon commissioning (waiverable through age 34).
  • Has a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Has a current military obligation.
  • Is a full time student.
  • Is a U.S. citizen

 WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO ENROLL IN SMP?

The individual must:

  • Enlist in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve if not already a member.
  • • Discuss his/her interest with the unit commander, and gain a letter of acceptance into the SMP program.
  • Interview with the ROTC Recruiting Operations Officer COL Peter Bleich or Professor of Military Science MAJ Channing Moose.
  • Take a physical or have a previous one reviewed.
  • Register for Military Science.
  • Provide ROTC unit with:
    • Birth Certificate.
    • Social Security Card.
    • Copy of DD 214 / NGB 220.
    • DA 4836 if less than 4 years are left on your current enlistment.
    • NGB 594-1 or DA 4892.
    • APFT Card (DA 705).
    • Copy of college transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

GREEN TO GOLD

The Green to Gold is a unique program that provides enlisted soldiers an opportunity to attend college and gain a commission through the ROTC program. Green to Gold is offered in both a scholarship and non-scholarship options.

Scholarship

  • Scholarships are awarded for two, three, or four years.
  • Soldiers with two years of college remaining to complete their degree are considered for two-year scholarships.
  • Soldiers with three years of college remaining to complete their degree are considered for three-year scholarships.
  • Soldiers without college credit who require four years to complete their degree are considered for four-year scholarships.
BENEFITS

Green to Gold Scholarship Option winners receive:

  • Tuition or room and board support
  • Additional money for textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
  • A monthly stipend for up to 10 months each school year that increases each year based on your Military Science Class.
  • Pay for attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between the junior and senior years of college.
  • If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
  • Additionally, many colleges and universities offer incentives to scholarship winners. The Professor of Military Science (PMS) at your college of choice can provide further information on what is available at the school.

In addition to the financial incentives, Soldiers receive additional benefits as ROTC Cadets. These benefits include:

  • Leadership training
  • Responsibility and Practical Experience
  • Mentorship of the PMS/APMS
  • Camaraderie
REQUIREMENTS

  • U.S. Citizen (non-waiverable)
  • Age - Be under 31 years of age on 31 December of the year you complete all requirements for a commission and a college baccalaureate degree. This is a statutory requirement and there are no waivers authorized.
  • Cannot have been convicted of a Domestic Violence Crime
  • Have a minimum of 2 years Active Duty as well as 3 months of Active Duty for every one month of specialized training (waiver can be requested)
  • GT score of 110 or greater
  • Pass the APFT within the last 6 months with score of 180 or higher, minimum of 60 points in each event
  • Be a High School Graduate or equivalent
  • Cumulative High School or College GPA of 2.5
  • Letter of Acceptance to School of Choice offering Army ROTC
  • Letter of Acceptance from the PMS of that Army ROTC Battalion
  • Favorable National Agency Check (or have initiated the action)
  • DODMERB Medical Qualification
  • Be eligible to Reenlist
  • Not be a conscientious objector
  • No more than 3 dependents including spouse (waiverable)

NON-SCHOLARSHIP

The Green to Gold Two-Year Non-Scholarship Option Program is available to Soldiers who have completed two years of college, and who can complete their college degree requirements in two years.

BENEFITS

  • A monthly stipend of up to 10 months each school year that increases each year based on your Military Science Class.
  • Pay for attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between the junior and senior years of college.
  • If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
  • School / State / Reserve Forces Duty Benefits.

Green to Gold Non-Scholarship Option members can also participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). As SMPs, Soldiers are members of either a drilling Reserve or Guard unit and ROTC. SMPs are entitled to Reserve Component pay of E-5 under this program.

Also, many states offer tuition assistance to Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.

In addition to the financial incentives, Soldiers receive additional benefits as ROTC Cadets. These benefits include:

  • Leadership training
  • Responsibility and Practical Experience
  • Mentorship of the PMS/APMS
  • Camaraderie

ACTIVE DUTY OPTION

REQUIREMENTS

  • Age - Under 30 years old on 30 June of the year you commission (waivers can be granted)
    • PMS can grant waiver up to 32 years
    • For those over 32, waiver requests are forwarded to HQs, Cadet Command
  • Have a favorable recommendation from Chain of Command
  • Have Completed 2 years of College and be accepted as an Academic Junior
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

 

The Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program is a two-year program which provides eligible, Active Duty enlisted Soldiers an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or obtain a 2-Year Masters Degree and be commissioned as an Army officer upon receiving the appropriate degree.

BENEFITS

  • Soldiers selected to participate in this program will continue to receive their current pay and allowances while in the program (up to a maximum of 24 consecutive months).
  • If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
  • Normal PCS entitlements
  • Leadership training
  • Responsibility and Practical Experience
  • Mentorship of the PMS/APMS
  • Camaraderie