SFA ROTC FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. By enrolling in ROTC are you joining the Army?
A. 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. You can also receive a minor in military science.

Q. Is ROTC like "boot camp"?
A. No. ROTC cadets are college students who take an ROTC class, which develops their leadership abilities.

Q. How much time does ROTC take up weekly?
A. ROTC cadets spend their time like typical college students. All that is required is a few hours a week.

Q. What can students expect to learn by taking ROTC?
A. Quite simply, leadership and management skills needed to become a U. S. Army officer or have a successful civilian career.

Q. What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?
A. Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, an ROTC cadet might be found leading classmates through adventure training, or down a river in a raft or up a mountain wall.

Q. Is there a military obligation during college?
A. During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation (or the first year in the case of scholarship winners).

Q. What is the ROTC course comprised of?
A. The ROTC program is divided into phases: The Basic Course studies Army history, organization and structure. The techniques and principles of leadership and management are stressed throughout. The Advanced Course concentrates on tactical operations and military instruction, as well as advanced techniques of management, leadership and command.

Q. Does Army ROTC offer scholarships?
A. Yes. Each year hundreds of students attending colleges nationwide receive ROTC scholarships. ROTC awards them to students studying science, engineering, nursing, business, as well as a variety of other majors to include: education, criminal justice, history, agriculture, forestry, music, agricultural mechanics and the pre-professional (medical, biology and others) degrees. A variety of other majors are also offered at SFA.

Q. How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards?
A. All Army ROTC scholarships pay for full tuition/fees/books. Also, scholarship winners receive an allowance of up to $2,000 a year.

Q. On what basis are scholarship winners chosen?
A.ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need. Instead, they're awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited in academic achievement and extracurricular activities, such as sports, student government or part-time work.

Q. Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?
A. 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 no cost to you.

Q. How often are Army ROTC scholarships awarded?
A. Applications for four-year scholarships should be submitted by 1 Jan of the senior year in high school. Call 1-800-USA-ROTC for an application or apply on-line at www.goarmy.com/rotc/. Winners are announced in the spring. Once students are on campus, two-year and three-year scholarships also become available. Graduate degree students who are applying for or are already accepted into a program at SFA may also apply for a two-year ROTC scholarship.

Q. How do students benefit from Army ROTC?
A. In college and after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience they receive are assets - whether pursuing an Army or civilian career. Employers place high regard on the management and leadership skills that ROTC instructors stress. When cadets complete their ROTC course, upon graduation, they become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.

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Stephen F. Austin State University

Frequently Asked Questions