FAQ - UNC Army ROTC

What is Army ROTC?

The mission of Army ROTC is to “commission the future officer leadership of the US Army.”

Army ROTC is a program offered at hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide, training college students to be officers in the active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. It’s a four-year program, divided into two parts: a Basic Course and an Advanced Course. The Basic Course is normally taken in your freshman and sophomore years. The Advanced Course is usually taken during your final two years of college. Advanced Camp, a five-week summer training, takes place between your Junior and Senior years and provides hands-on training and confidence that can’t be learned in the classroom.

Is there a military obligation during college?

During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation (or the first year for scholarship recipients). Upon contracting, the cadet incurs an obligation to serve in the United States Army; that service can be either active or reserve duty. This service obligation is for a period of eight years, this can be fulfilled through a combination of active duty and service through the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, or Individual Ready Reserve. Cadets who graduate with Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty serve their full eight-year obligation in the reserve components.

Is Army ROTC the same as enlisting or joining the Army?

Enrolling in Army ROTC is not, strictly speaking, joining the Army. You will not be sent to boot camp. However, the primary purpose of the Army ROTC program is to produce Army officers, so you must agree to serve as an officer in the Army after graduation in order to go through the entire program, or if you have received an ROTC scholarship. Enrolling in the ROTC Basic Course in your first two years of college does not obligate you to serve unless you have also received a scholarship.

How do students benefit from Army ROTC?

In college and after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience they receive are assets—whether they pursue an Army or civilian career. Employers place a high regard on the management and leadership skills cadets acquire in the ROTC program. ROTC experience looks great on a resume.

Can I still participate in other activities?

ROTC is a part of the Military Science and Leadership minor and does not have the academic course load of a typical major. Cadets can still participate in extracurricular clubs and activities, sports, and community service organizations. Many take on second academic majors, academic minors, and even study abroad programs.

What comprises the ROTC course and how is it different from other college classes?

The ROTC program is divided into phases: The Basic Course studies Army history, organization, and structure. The Advanced Course concentrates on tactical operations and military instruction, as well as advanced techniques of management, leadership, and command. The techniques and principles of leadership and management are stressed throughout. Click here for more information on the ROTC course curriculum.

Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and practical exercises. During a leadership laboratory, a cadet might lead thirty other cadets in executing a particular type of tactical mission in Carolina North Forest.

I want to get my master’s/professional degree before going on active duty. Can I do that?

Yes. During your fourth year, you can request an educational delay to continue your studies before going on active duty. This is a competitive program and is normally granted only to those students pursuing a technical or professional degree such as law school or medical school.

What is SMP?

The Simultaneous Membership Program allows you to attend Army ROTC and serve in the US Army Reserve or Army National Guard at the same time. It gives you an opportunity for additional training and experience. Cadets serve as officer “interns” in the Reserve or National Guard while completing college. You can earn Reserve/Guard pay and benefits in addition to your Army ROTC allowances. Also, since you are a actively drilling soldier, you have access to government money to pay for school, such as the GI Bill.

Does Army ROTC offer scholarships?

Yes. To receive a four-year scholarship, high school students must apply by November 15 of their senior year and selections are made continuously through May 15. Learn more about it here. Also, once cadets are on campus, two-year and three-year scholarships are available.

Army ROTC scholarships consist of:

Two-, three-, and four-year scholarship options based on the time remaining to complete your degree
Full-tuition scholarships
The option for room and board in place of tuition
Additional allowances for books and fees

Note: If you are an officer who graduated from a service academy or received ROTC scholarships, you also qualify for the new GI Bill benefits.

However, your ROTC/Service Academy associated obligated active-duty service time does not count toward the three years necessary to qualify for the full benefits and so must be completed first before the three year service time required to draw from the GI Bill begins to accrue.

How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards?

Scholarships are awarded at different monetary levels. At some schools an ROTC scholarship is worth up to $80,000, which goes towards tuition and educational fees. All scholarship cadets receive $420/month living allowances during each school year. This allowance is also offered to all non-scholarship contracted Cadets enrolled in Army ROTC (2nd, 3rd, and 4th years).

Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?

No, anyone can enroll in ROTC. And regardless of whether you’re a scholarship winner or not, all ROTC books, supplies and equipment are furnished at not cost to you.

What should I do to prepare for UNC Army ROTC?

Bring the right attitude, confidence, commitment. Begin developing good study habits to maintain your grades. Additionally, ROTC training can be physically demanding. Keep yourself physically fit by developing a personal fitness program. Upon arriving at UNC, you will need to take and pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) in order to contract, the ACFT can be viewed here.

Am I deployable?

No, the Army’s policies state that ROTC cadets are in a nondeployable status while enrolled in the program.

How can I find out more about Army ROTC?

Department of Military Science

221 S. Columbia St

Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7485

Phone: 919-962-7347

Email: armyrotc@unc.edu