Learning real-world skills the Army way
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ROTC is an elective program that trains students to be officers in the Army upon graduation. In exchange for this commitment, the Army offers contracted cadets many financial benefits, including:
• Full-tuition scholarships
• Allowances for books and fees
• A monthly living allowance, starting at $300 per month and increasing each year.
Current freshman cadets said the program barely intruded on their first year of school, but for them, the non-financial benefits were enticing.
“I joined in order to pay for college, serve my country, and to secure a job when I graduate from college,” said UI freshman cadet Dillion Klein.
Levels of commitment
If you’re not quite sure about ROTC, you don’t need to immediately sign a military contract. There are three levels of participation:
• Take classes: You can sign up for an elective class just as you would sign up for any class with no military obligation.
• Enroll in the program: If you want to go to a higher level of participation, you can enroll in the program. This still incurs no military obligation, but members are issued military gear, clothing, and field equipment.
• Contract: This is the level with the most commitment, and you incur military obligation upon graduation from college. It includes classroom exercises, leadership labs, physical-fitness training, and field training exercises.
Trying it out
Current cadets agreed that incoming students should look into the program.
“Incoming freshmen who are experimenting with the thought should just take the class,” said Lt. Col. Anthony Wolf. “It’s just an hour. But that class led to a 26-year career in the Iowa
National Guard.”
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