Army ROTC Cadet FAQ

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. In the MSI class, a student is able to receive credit and not participate in any cadet activities if they choose.

No. ROTC cadets go directly to college where they earn their degree. There is physical training, but that is only three times a week in the morning.

Leadership and management skills needed to become a U.S Army officer or have a successful civilian career. Many serve their required commitment and go to the civilian work force and are very successful.

Students in ROTC learn in the classroom and out of it as well. There are labs that test the ROTC cadets on his or her leadership skills with real missions.

During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation. If a cadet on scholarship decides after the first year that ROTC is not for them, then they may leave the program with that year of school paid for. If the scholarship cadet returns the first day of the second year, however, they owe the taxpayers their money. An Army ROTC graduate accepts a commission will have an eight (8) year service obligation which may be served in the US Army, US Army Reserves, the National Guard, or a combination of those.

Freshman year one can expect to learn basic leadership skills and how to maintain composure in front of a group of people. Sophomore year one learns army history and the organization and structure of the Army. Junior year is comprised of the advanced course which teaches tactical operations, techniques of leadership, management, and command. The summer between junior and senior year cadets go to Advanced Camp.  Seniors also take advanced military history.

Yes, undergraduate and graduate. These scholarships at University of South Alabama pay full tuition to include a monthly spending allowance of $420, all classroom fees, and a yearly book allowance of $600 per semester. Also, students are eligible for Room and Board scholarships from the Military Science Department.

No. Anyone can enroll in ROTC, regardless of whether you're a scholarship winner or not, and all equipment is furnished at no cost to you.

As a student, if one qualifies for a scholarship the cadre members here at USA will do their best to help. We award scholarships throughout the year.

In college and after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience that they have received are assets - whether pursuing and Army or civilian career. Employers place high regard on the management and leadership skills that ROTC instructors stress. When cadets complete ROTC course, upon graduation, they become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.