Did anyone get a full ROTC scholarship in college?

[weflyhigh]

I went and talked to a 'recruiter' yesterday and asked about the requirements for the scholarship (requirements to get, benefits of it, and service commitment)
I filled out a form to start the process (for the DODMERB)

I am currently a freshmen, so I will be probably be doing the 3.5 year scholarship (stay an extra semester) and then 4 years of active duty
Anyone else do this path? I really can't afford to have over 100k of debt after graduation (currently in 32k after freshmen year)

What was it like? Worth it?
During those 4 years of service, I'll get a regular army salary, right?
Anyone have any idea if Id then be eligible for any GI bill benefits that could maybe pay off part of my current debt

thanks guys

 

[FelixDeCat]

I didnt but wish I had.

 

[evident]

its a pretty good deal, as you'll come in the service as an officer. of course theres always a risk you'll get stationed somewhere dangerous or shitty and you might get shot. but you may end up somewhere cool. i didnt do it though

 

[chorb]

A buddy of mine did exact this, full ride ROTC scholarship, he graduated with and EE degree. He took 5 years to graduate and now is serving his 5 years back to the airforce. From what I can tell he is enjoying himself, although he lives in the middle of the desert and wants to transfer. He gets his normal Officer pay (2nd LT). Not sure about the GI bill as he went into college under the scholarship. Be forewarned if you take the scholarship and you drop out or get kicked out you owe every penny back the the government.

 

[sactoking]

I got a full ride Air Force ROTC scholarship but couldn't use it b/c they wanted me to study computer engineering and the CE program of the school I wanted to go to wasn't ABET accredited, so I had to pass on it.

 

[Barfo]

no

 

[destrekor]

I entered school, and before the school year started, was contacted with the offer for a 3 year Army ROTC scholarship. It got bumped to 3.5 year when they were given more funds.
The big thing is, anything before 3 years, you don't have to sign a contract, and you can walk away if it's not for you. At least, that's how it is supposed to be. So, if you are doing a 4 year program, you don't have to contract until the beginning of sophomore year.

You won't have to stay beyond 4 years unless your degree basically forces that. If you miss any of the first or second years, you can be sent (sometimes required anyhow, depending on school) to LTC, or Leadership Training Course, which in effect can allow you to even enter at the very beginning of your Junior year if you went to that camp the summer before. Or entered the program sometime during your second year (Military Science 200 courses is second year).

You won't get a full salary if all you do is ROTC, but as soon as you sign the contract, which stipulates you will give them 4 years of service after graduation, you begin to receive a monthly stipend, that increases with each year. At our school, it's 300 for MS Is, 350 for MS IIs, 450 for MS IIIs, and 500 for MS IVs.

You can also join the National Guard while doing the program, acting as an SMP cadet (simultaneous membership program). If contracted, you cant be deployed either (might be dependent upon the Cadre at the school forcing that issue).

After graduation, if you choose to go Active Duty (part of the contract process), after additional training you'll be an Active Duty commissioned officer, and receive full officer salary.

I highly recommend joining the National Guard first, or doing SMP and enlist in the guard while in ROTC. If you're anything like me, it would help you take a lot more out of the whole experience, and make you a better person. I screwed up and missed the chance to go Guard.
On second thought, you can't be on scholarship and be in the Guard at the same time... but the Guard will equally pay for school.
Consider your options. Going the ROTC route is a good experience if you seek to get everything out of it as best you can. I've been kind of the screw up, but if you give them what they want, you can get a lot out of it.

But give the whole thing a lot of thought. Don't do the ROTC route if all you want it to have school paid for. Do Guard for that. We shouldn't be putting Officers in the Army that don't put their heart into that - soldiers deserve more than that.