North East Pennsylvania Battalion The University of Scranton
	U.S. Army ROTC

Question (Q):  How do apply for an ROTC scholarship? 
Q: What active duty commitment is there for joining ROTC? 
Q: What's in it for me?  
Q: What does the scholarship cover? 
Q: Is there a lot of physical fitness training? 
Q: Do I have to join the Reserves or the National Guard in order to join ROTC? 
Q: What if I join ROTC and later realize that I don't like it? 
Q: I have heard that there are special scholarship programs available for nursing students, is that true?  
Q: Do I have to attend basic training? 
Q: If I join ROTC, will it limit what majors I can take?  
Q: Will ROTC take up all of my free time?  
Q: Will I have to wear a uniform all of the time? 
Q: Will I lose all of my weekends because of ROTC? 
Q: What kind of training will I receive in ROTC? 
Q: Will I have to give up my summers for ROTC? 
Q: What opportunities does ROTC provide for pre-med students? 
Q: Can ROTC cadets participate in varsity sports on campus? 
Q: Will my social life suffer because of ROTC?  
Q: Will ROTC help me in careers outside the Military?  
Q: Do I have to be an honors student to get and keep a scholarship?  
Q: Can ROTC credit help my major or minor? 
Q: Okay, you've convinced me. I want to join ROTC. How do I do it?  

Question (Q): How do apply for an ROTC scholarship? 
Answer (A:)  If you are in High School go to https://147.248.154.207/rotc/schlr4yr/index.htm.  If you are not in High School then just contact us and we will guide you through the process. 

Q: What active duty commitment is there for joining ROTC? 
A:  Technically the answer is "None!"   Only scholarship cadets incur any kind of commitment.  Those cadets are required to serve in the Army as a commissioned officer for four years.  Starting salary is roughly $30,000.  Cadets who are not on scholarship may choose to pursue a commission as well, but there is no requirement to do so.  ROTC is just a college course that teaches leadership, management, and teamwork. 

Q: What's in it for me? 
A:  Army ROTC provides leadership training unlike any other opportunity in the world.  Military or otherwise, you will have a more successful career if you are a better leader.  The training can be very rewarding and fun.   You'll learn better decision-making skills, time management, organization, and people skills.  The classes count for academic credit and the Physical Fitness Training meets the Physical Fitness requirement for UofS.  There are also significant scholarship opportunities. 

Q: What does the scholarship cover? 
A:  The Army scholarship covers $16,000 per year towards tuition and fees.  Amounts at other schools may vary.  At the University of Scranton, winners of Four-Year and Three-Year Advance Designee scholarships are also awarded free room and board (granted by the University). 

Q: Is there a lot of physical fitness training? 
A:  We do Physical Training (PT) three days a week for an hour each.  The course starts out slow and gradually builds over time.  Most cadets find it challenging but manageable.  The course earns you one credit per semester and it meets the UofS requirement for Physical Education. Most degree programs require two Phys Ed credits.  You can have this requirement satisfied with only two semesters of Army PT, instead of four semesters of other university Phys Ed courses. 

Q: Do I have to join the Reserves or the National Guard in order to join ROTC? 
A:  No.  This is a common misconception. 

Q: What if I join ROTC and later realize that I don't like it. 
A:  ROTC is a college course.  Drop it.  If you are a scholarship cadet in sophomore year or above you will probably be required to pay back the scholarship money.  Freshmen cadets on scholarship and non-scholarship cadets on any level can dis-enroll from the program any time. 

Q: I have heard that there are special scholarship programs available for nursing students, is that true? 
A:  Yes!  The Army has enormous opportunities for nurses and there is a separate scholarship pool for nurse applicants.  Nursing scholarships carry the same responsibilities as regular scholarships, but the application process is not as competitive.  As of Fall 1999 all of our Nursing cadets are on scholarship, none have been turned down.  Please see the ROTC Nurse section of our website. 

Q: Do I have to attend basic training? 
A:  No.  Some cadets choose to join reserve or National Guard units, and attend basic training but it is by no means a requirement. 

Q: If I join ROTC, will it limit what majors I can take? 
A:  No.  As long as you are enrolled in a four year program as a full time student, you can major in whatever you want. 

Q: Will ROTC take up all of my free time? 
A:  No.  Joining ROTC as freshman can take as little as 1 hour per week, or as much as 6 hours per week.  This depends on your scholarship status, and the amount of time you want to spend on ROTC.  If you have a scholarship as a freshman or sophomore (4 year or 3 year advanced designee), you will be required to attend all six hours of training per week.  If you do not have a scholarship you can choose how much time you want to spend with the program. 

Q: Will I have to wear a uniform all of the time? 
A:  No.  Uniforms are only worn by cadets during the few hours a week spent in ROTC class or training.  No cadet is required to wear a uniform at any other time. 

Q: Will I lose all of my weekends because of ROTC? 
A:  No.  There is very little weekend training.  There is one FTX  (Field Training Exercise) in the fall, and two in the spring.  These training events are optional to those without scholarships. FTXs are however a great way to meet new people, build confidence, and have fun. 

Q: What kind of training will I receive in ROTC? 
A:  ROTC training ranges from classroom instruction, to firing live ammunition on the range.  Cadets at the University of Scranton are exposed to many new experiences.  Hands on leadership labs, rappelling, land navigation, orienteering, survival skills, first aid, physical fitness, problem solving obstacle courses, and mock combat are just some of the types of training UofS ROTC cadets receive. 

Q: Will I have to give up my summers for ROTC?
A:  No.  Advanced Camp is the only mandatory summer training event, and it is only for those who have scholarships or plan on taking a commission.  If this does not apply to you, then you do not have to go.  The summer training is a five week course at Ft. Lewis Washington.  There are optional summer training events, such as Airborne School (parachute training), Air Assault School (rappelling from helicopters), Northern Warfare School, and Mounted Maneuver Training. 

Q: What opportunities does ROTC provide for pre-med students? 
A:  If you qualify, ROTC could give you a scholarship for your undergraduate degree.  Then if you are accepted to medical school, you are likely to qualify for a medical school scholarship.  The med school scholarship covers all tuition at any accredited institution plus over $900 per month for expenses.  Army doctors are paid well, they have the opportunity to practice more than civilian doctors, and they end their service free of any educational debt. 

Q: Can ROTC cadets participate in varsity sports on campus? 
A:  Absolutely!  Participation in sports is encouraged.   We know that athletes are better leaders and team players, and this is exactly what we are looking for.  We also like the fact that athletes tend to stay in good physical condition which is important as well. 

Q: Will my social life suffer because of ROTC? 
A:  No.  In fact your social life will be enhanced.   ROTC will give you the opportunity to meet many new people from your campus, and from all over the country.  Through on campus training, joint FTX's with other schools, possible specialty schools (Airborne etc...), and the national Advanced Camp; lifelong bonds can be made with those you train with.  There are also social events hosted by ROTC which help to develop camaraderie. 

Q: Will ROTC help me in careers outside the Military? 
A:  Yes.  The leadership and management training offered by ROTC is incredibly valuable in the job market today.  Improved confidence and organizational skills will make anyone with ROTC on their resume very attractive to employers today. 

Q: Do I have to be an honors student to get and keep a scholarship? 
A:  No.  Although it is always better to have a high GPA, ROTC requires a 2.5 to receive a scholarship, and a 2.0 to maintain a scholarship.   ROTC looks for highly motivated individuals who are well rounded, and always striving to learn and improve.  It doesn't hurt to have good grades but you don't have to have a 4.0 to succeed. 

Q: Can ROTC credit help my major or minor? 
A:  Yes.  For some majors (check with your advisor) such as Political Science, upper level ROTC classes can fit into your cognate; and the summer Advanced Camp can be used as an internship.  For any UofS student, ROTC offers a Leadership Minor.  Based on ROTC classes, and grouped with some courses in other areas we are one of the few programs in the country to offer this minor.  It provides excellent instruction and looks good on any resume. 

Q: Okay, you've convinced me.  I want to join ROTC.  How do I do it? 
A:  It's easy.  All you need to do is put Military Science class(es) on your schedule when you register for your other classes.  If you are starting as a freshman at UofS, register for either MS 101 (Concepts of Leadership) and/or PHED 138 (Physical Fitness Training).  If you are not a UofS freshman, contact us for more information and we will guide you through the process.