African-American male first lieutenant Officer wearing ASU standing indoors African-American male first lieutenant Officer wearing ASU standing indoors

Army ROTC

Become a leader and serve your country, all without sacrificing your college experience. In Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), a career is waiting for you when you graduate.

Female ROTC Cadet wearing ROTC T-shirt sitting inside a classrom Female ROTC Cadet wearing ROTC T-shirt sitting inside a classrom

Graduate from College as an Army Officer

  • Army ROTC is one of the nation's top leadership programs
  • It's part of your college curriculum
  • Get training and one-of-a-kind experiences
  • Graduate with a guaranteed career as an Army Officer
  • Earn up to 100% tuition coverage

ROTC provides you the opportunity to go to college and train to become an Army Officer at the same time, in exchange for paid tuition. Offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities, you can get the college experience along with a guaranteed career after graduation as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

ROTC Cadet on Campus ROTC Cadet on Campus

Scholarships and Stipends

High school students who apply for ROTC are eligible for scholarships covering up to the full cost of tuition, plus a monthly stipend of up to $420 per month for personal expenses.

  • 1,000+ partner and affiliate schools across the country
  • $420 per month stipend per year
  • $1,200 per year for books
  • 100% coverage for full tuition and fees based on merit and grades, and the option to cover room and board instead, for qualifying cases

Take the First Step Toward Army ROTC

If you're thinking of joining, we'll walk you through everything you need to know.

Attend Army ROTC no matter where you are in your journey

Basic Course

This is for you if you're a freshman or sophomore in college. Learn basic military skills and the fundamentals of leadership as you start your journey towards being a respected leader in the Army.

  • An elective that anyone can take without making a military commitment
  • It normally involves one elective class and lab each semester, along with the required physical training and field training exercises

Basic Camp

This is for you if you're joining Army ROTC after your first two years of college or if you're transferring schools. Practice leadership roles in a team dynamic, and get helpful feedback so you can grow as a leader. Graduate prepared to lead others as a second lieutenant in the Army.

  • An accelerated alternative to the Basic Course that qualifies you for enrollment in the Advanced Course
  • A 31-day training event of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY

Advanced Course

This is for you if you’re a junior or senior and you are making a commitment to become an Army Officer. Learn advanced military strategies, and practice working as a team while you create and carry out plans and decisions as a leader.

  • Must complete the Basic Course or Basic Camp to qualify
  • By entering the Advanced Course, you're committing to serve as an Army Officer after graduation

Advanced Camp

This is for you if you've enrolled in the Advanced Course. It is designed to train and test all Army ROTC cadets through leadership development exercises in real-world scenarios.

  • All ROTC cadets that enter the Advanced Course must attend Advanced Camp
  • A 35-day rigorous training event held in the summer between junior and senior year
  • The most significant training and evaluation event in ROTC
  • You must pass the evaluation to qualify to be an Army Officer

Commissioning Ceremony Commissioning Ceremony

The Green to Gold Program for Enlisted Soldiers

If you're currently an enlisted Soldier in the Army and you have aspirations to achieve a leadership position, you can go to a college that offers an ROTC program, get a scholarship for your degree, and become an Officer in the Army through the Green to Gold program.

Common Questions About Army ROTC

If I enroll in Army ROTC, what is the service commitment?

Enrolling in the ROTC Basic Course (the first two years of college) does not obligate you to serve unless you receive a scholarship. If you received a four-year ROTC scholarship, you must agree to serve four years full-time as an Army Officer after you graduate and then either extend your contract for four more years or serve four more years with the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) where you'll return to civilian life but need to be ready to help in a national emergency. If you received a three-year or two-year ROTC scholarship, you must agree to serve four years full-time as Army Officer after you graduate.

What makes Army ROTC different?

The Army offers a wide range of career opportunities, and in more places around the world than any other U.S. military branch.

Can I still choose my major?

You may choose any major you wish and commission as an Officer into the active-duty Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

What are Army ROTC courses like?

In college, Army ROTC classes normally involve one elective class and one lab per semester. Although the classes involve hands-on fieldwork as well as classroom work, they are standard college classes that fit into a normal academic schedule.

If I'm in Army ROTC, do I still have to attend Basic Combat Training?

No, you'll receive this training as part of your ROTC coursework, so you do not have to attend Basic Combat Training as well. However, after graduation, you will be required to attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC).

How can I apply for an Army ROTC scholarship?

As a high school senior, you can get a head start on your future by applying for the ROTC National Scholarship, a four-year scholarship, at a participating school. To get started on your scholarship application, create an account on My GoArmy. If you’re not ready to apply, you can visit Army ROTC Scholarships to learn more.