https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am currently a serving member of the national guard, and will soon be attending college. Are the ROTC benefits all they’re cracked up to be? Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:22:38 -0500 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am currently a serving member of the national guard, and will soon be attending college. Are the ROTC benefits all they’re cracked up to be? PFC Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:22:38 -0500 2020-02-25T16:22:38-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599269&urlhash=5599269 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you want to become a US Army officer then yes it&#39;s worth it. If you don&#39;t then you have no business doing ROTC. MAJ Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:28:04 -0500 2020-02-25T16:28:04-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599305&urlhash=5599305 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Are you planning on becoming an Army officer? Sgt Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:44:21 -0500 2020-02-25T16:44:21-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599321&urlhash=5599321 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The scholarship has its perks if you need the financial aid. If you’re interested in becoming an officer it’s definitely a route to consider separate from the Academies, OCS and ‘Green to Gold’ programs. Otherwise not sure what other benefits you’re thinking about. MAJ James Woods Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:51:59 -0500 2020-02-25T16:51:59-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599389&urlhash=5599389 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What do you think the pluses and minuses are? Ask us to comment on your assumptions and interpretations.<br />Until then my answer is, yes. COL David Turk Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:13:02 -0500 2020-02-25T17:13:02-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599417&urlhash=5599417 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes they are. It’s legit. You will become and SMP cadet. (Simultaneous Membership Program). You will be paid as and E-5 for drill. You will also get ROTC stipends (Tax free) depending on your grade in school. And during drill, you would just shadow the lieutenants. You wouldn’t be treated as a regular private anymore. In some units, the NCO’s will give u respect as they will give and officer, but they wouldn’t salut u lol. PVT Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:25:23 -0500 2020-02-25T17:25:23-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599588&urlhash=5599588 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I’m in ROTC at UK and Guard. The benefits aren’t that much better and most definitely not worth it if you do not want to be an officer. Really the only difference is E5 drill pay as a cadet and monthly stipend. As with most things don’t do it unless your hearts not in it. PFC Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:30:14 -0500 2020-02-25T18:30:14-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599636&urlhash=5599636 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>ROTC is definitely worth it if you want to become an Officer. Plus the benefits sound good. PO2 Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:43:27 -0500 2020-02-25T18:43:27-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599801&urlhash=5599801 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Let’s see... An college education and a commission? I say “definitely.”<br /><br />Maybe you should talk to some of your peers who opted for student loans. Capt Mark Strobl Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:25:54 -0500 2020-02-25T19:25:54-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5599824&urlhash=5599824 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I were you I’d do it. ROTC allows you to get your college and gain your commission as an Officer at the exact same time. I commission in May. 1LT Kevin Chapman Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:34:14 -0500 2020-02-25T19:34:14-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5600457&urlhash=5600457 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I can&#39;t answer your question because my information is not current. When I was a cadet, (1980s) I got $100 a month once I contracted and as a scholarship cadet, I was prohibited from participating in the SMP program in my Reserve unit. I suggest talking to several ROTC cadets (not the cadre, LOL) who are currently enrolled, get a few different outlooks to help you make a decision. I&#39;m only halfway joking about the cadre, but they will paint a rosy picture. :-) MAJ Cathy Baumbusch Tue, 25 Feb 2020 23:47:52 -0500 2020-02-25T23:47:52-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5600608&urlhash=5600608 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>They were for me. I never intended to do a career though, I had intended to do a few years in the Guard and get out. LTC Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 26 Feb 2020 01:12:52 -0500 2020-02-26T01:12:52-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5601871&urlhash=5601871 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If by “is it worth it” you mean - is ROTC a good way to receive a commission and earn the privilege of leading Soldiers? Then YES - absolutely. ROTC is an outstanding program. I highly recommend it. COL Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 26 Feb 2020 10:45:06 -0500 2020-02-26T10:45:06-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5602028&urlhash=5602028 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It depends on your situation. If you are going into a Medical, Legal or Computer field, you could direct commission afterwards. However joining ROTC may cut down on scheduling conflicts between class and your unit. I left the program I was in to go to another school that was better for my career field and they had just canceled their program only to reinstate it the year after I graduated. Word of warning though. Direct Commissioning can put you behind on the learning curve on military skills. Ultimately you have to do what&#39;s best for you long term. CPT Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 26 Feb 2020 11:21:47 -0500 2020-02-26T11:21:47-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5602572&urlhash=5602572 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Absolutely! If your goal is to become an officer, it&#39;s a great way to serve, learn and earn the college degree you&#39;ll need to commission! COL John McClellan Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:42:06 -0500 2020-02-26T13:42:06-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5609400&urlhash=5609400 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It will definitely increase your workload in college, but there are a lot of perks. I managed to do ROTC while in graduate school. If you contract then there’s a pay stipend of up to $500 per month. Plus you get drill pay since you’ll be in the national guard as a cadet. It’s E-5 pay, but do not confuse yourself with an actual E-5. You’ll be there to learn and shadow other lieutenant platoon leaders. There’s PT at least 3 days a week in the morning with your ROTC at school. It all really depends on what you want to do in the military. Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you want to be able to influence more people earlier? You can stay enlisted and be an amazing NCO. I’ve seen some NCOs who have been better leaders than some officers I’ve worked with/for. I was an NCO before I became an officer. I loved being an NCO, and now I love being an officer. CPT Private RallyPoint Member Fri, 28 Feb 2020 10:08:16 -0500 2020-02-28T10:08:16-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=5618516&urlhash=5618516 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I came on via direct commission, and I wish I could have taken ROTC just to learn more about the military. The only disadvantage I can see is that they can&#39;t guarantee what branch you&#39;ll get, and I&#39;ve known some very disappointed people. CH (LTC) Robert Leroe Sun, 01 Mar 2020 21:21:24 -0500 2020-03-01T21:21:24-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=6201457&urlhash=6201457 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The scholarship helps take some of the stress out of school. But it wouldn&#39;t matter career wise unless you went officer. PVT Caleb Young Thu, 13 Aug 2020 05:00:09 -0400 2020-08-13T05:00:09-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=6438878&urlhash=6438878 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>YES, it is worth it. Get a degree which is useful to yourself and the military and you shouldn&#39;t have any difficulties. SMSgt Bob W. Mon, 26 Oct 2020 00:50:03 -0400 2020-10-26T00:50:03-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=6730141&urlhash=6730141 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you have already decided you want to pursue becoming an Officer, then yes. ROTC offers some very good benefits. I did 3 years as a Cadet and commissioned through ROTC, I wouldn&#39;t have wanted to do it any other way. ROTC gives you the opportunity to have a flexible life (work, social, financial) while also getting the training required to commission. 1LT Private RallyPoint Member Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:27:49 -0500 2021-02-08T14:27:49-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-rotc-worth-it?n=6731114&urlhash=6731114 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes! I am thankful I went through Army ROTC and became a commissioned officer! I highly recommend it for anyone planning to become a commissioned officer! CPT Richard Trione Mon, 08 Feb 2021 20:23:11 -0500 2021-02-08T20:23:11-05:00 2020-02-25T16:22:38-05:00