ROTC, or Reserve Officer Training Corps, is a program that prepares college students to become officers in the military. Here are some benefits of ROTC participation:
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Scholarships: ROTC offers full-tuition scholarship opportunities for high school students entering college as freshmen. Some programs also offer scholarships for upperclassmen.
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Stipends: Contracted cadets receive a monthly stipend, which can help cover living expenses.
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Leadership development: ROTC teaches students to become leaders, not just people who give orders. As an officer in the military, one will lead other soldiers in all situations and adjust to environments that are always changing.
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Military skills: ROTC provides specialized training in military skills, such as adventure training, that cant be found anywhere else.
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Professional development: ROTC offers numerous fully-paid professional development training opportunities, such as base visits, internships, and language immersions.
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Balanced college lifestyle: ROTC students join college with a sense of purpose and quickly find that they are part of a close community of students who have fun, help each other with school, and ultimately form life-long friendships.
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Financial support: ROTC offers financial support beyond scholarships and stipends. For example, the ROTC program provides world-class leadership development, as well as valuable team building and networking opportunities.
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Respect of peers and future employers: ROTC participation can help one gain the respect of peers and future employers.
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Mandatory service commitment: Upon graduation and successful completion of ROTC, one receives a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the military. One will then have a mandatory service commitment of four years as a line officer, six years if selected to be a Combat Systems Officer (CSO), Air Battle Manager (ABM), or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot, and ten years if selected to be a Pilot (manned aircraft) .
In summary, ROTC participation can provide students with financial support, leadership development, military skills, and a sense of purpose. It can also lead to a career as an officer in the military.
