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Army ROTC

Become an Army Officer

The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a way for young men and women to start strong in life. This college elective for undergraduate and graduate students provides unrivaled leadership training for success in any career field. If you have a passion for it, you can find a place to fit in the Army as an Officer and get the training you need to turn that passion into a career.

ROTC Curriculum

Army ROTC will give you valuable real-world tools and leadership skills that will benefit not only your professional career but your personal life as well. Army ROTC is an elective curriculum that you take along with your required college classes that prepares you with the tools, training, and experiences to succeed in any competitive environment. ROTC allows Cadets a normal college experience, like the rest of the students on campus, while also preparing them to be Officers in the United States Army.

As an Officer, you will lead other soldiers in all situations and adjust to environments that are always changing. Being an Officer in the United States Army means that you are a leader, a counselor, a strategist, and a motivator. Army ROTC will prepare Cadets through a one-of-a-kind experience with challenges and obstacles that will drive Cadets toward success. Army ROTC is one of the nation’s top leadership programs, with benefits including:

  • The competitive ROTC scholarship covers 100% of tuition
  • Receiving top leadership training
  • Earning the respect of your peers and future employers
  • Gaining unique experiences

ROTC Scholarships and Benefits

Army ROTC scholarships are based on a student’s merit and grades, not on financial need. It is a competitive scholarship and consist of:

  • Two-, three-, and four-year scholarship options based on the time remaining to complete your degree
  • Full-tuition scholarships
  • The option to receive a $10,000 a year room and board stipend in place of tuition
  • $1,200 per school year book stipend
  • $420 a month living allowance

The monthly living allowance is also available to all non-scholarship Cadets who contract with the Army ROTC program.

ROTC Scholarship Minimum Requirements

  • Have a 2.5 GPA,
  • Have a standardized test score of 19 on the ACT or 1000 on the SAT,
  • Be a U.S. citizen,
  • Pass a medical exam and a physical fitness test,
  • Be under age 31 at graduation,
  • Have no civil convictions,
  • Contract with the ROTC program with the intention to serve as an Army officer.
Calvin Scholarships and Costs

Download the ROTC at Calvin brochure (pdf)The U.S. Army Cadet Command awards approximately 1,800 3-Year Advanced Designee (3AD) college scholarships nationwide. Students selected for 3AD scholarships as freshmen will have their college tuition, fees, and many other expenses covered during years two, three, and four.

If you are admitted to Calvin and selected as a U.S. Army 3AD scholarship recipient, you will also receive Calvin’s 1+3 ROTC award, which pays your Calvin tuition during your first year. This does not include ROTC classes taken at WMU during your first year.

With Calvin’s 1+3 ROTC award, all four years of your college tuition can be covered in full. If you are not awarded a 3AD scholarship, you may qualify for academic scholarships and need-based aid at Calvin.

Ways to Attend

Whether you are in high school, in college, or already in the Army, there is a way that you can become an Officer in the United States Army.

High School Students

As a senior in high school, students can apply for the National Four-Year Army ROTC Scholarship to Calvin University. For scholarship award winners, once you gain admission to the school, register for ROTC classes, pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and a medical exam, your scholarship benefits begin immediately.

  • Apply to Calvin and indicate interest in the ROTC program on your application

College and Graduate Students

If you have four or more semesters of schooling remaining, you are still eligible for ROTC pending completion of the ROTC Basic Camp. Basic Camp is a challenging and motivating 28-day training program at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon completion of Basic Camp, Cadets return to campus prepared to enter the Advanced Course (during junior and senior year). Scholarships are also available for Cadets in college.

Enlisted Soldiers

If you are an enlisted soldier and want to further your career in the United States Army as an Officer, there are options for you.

  • Option 1—The Green-to-Gold Active Duty Option is a two-year program that provides eligible, active-duty enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or obtain a master's degree and be commissioned as a second lieutenant upon receiving the appropriate degree.

  • Option 2—The Green-to-Gold Scholarship Option provides eligible Soldiers with two, three, or four-year scholarships, depending on the Soldier's needs and the needs of the Army.

  • Option 3—The Green-to-Gold Non-scholarship Option is available to Soldiers who have already completed two years of college and who can complete their degree requirements in two years. This option is optimal for enlisted Soldiers interested in becoming an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows you to attend Army ROTC and serve in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves at the same time. It gives Cadets an opportunity for additional training and experience. Cadets serve as Officer trainees in the National Guard or Reserves while completing college. Until the completion of college, Cadets do not have to deploy with their units. You can earn Guard/Reserve pay and benefits in addition to your Army ROTC allowances.

Contact

Billy Clayton
ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Officer
Western Michigan University
269-387-8122
Email: billy.clayton@wmich.edu

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