See if ROTC is for you. Speak with the following individuals for insight into the ROTC program: military officers, ROTC cadets, military education officers at colleges/universities where ROTC programs exist. Ask them about their experiences with the program. If you feel like ROTC is for you, continue reading.
Start preparing while in high school. Study hard. Good grades are important, but good study habits are critical. Stay healthy, and be in good physical shape. Get into sports if you can. Do not use illicit drugs or abuse alcohol. Be involved with community service projects. Even though military service is about teamwork, you must differentiate yourself above your peers.
Join a Junior ROTC unit while in high school. This will help familiarize you with military concepts such as wearing a military uniform and conducting Drill and Ceremonies (military marching and movements) before entering a college ROTC program.
Conduct research on the different military branches—US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. Locate the closest ROTC unit at your desired college or university. Speak to a military education officer at the ROTC unit about your wishes to apply for an ROTC scholarship. The education officer can provide you with resources or assist you with any questions you may have. Additionally, they can facilitate the ROTC scholarship process, which includes filling out forms and taking tests.
Do well on your college entrance exams. This is the most important criteria used to select high school candidates.
Pick and sign your ROTC acceptance letter when received. The ROTC military branch makes your scores available to all university ROTC programs for that branch. If you do not get accepted into the college/university you applied for, your ROTC scholarship could be applied at another university where a ROTC program exists.
Do not be discouraged if you do not get a scholarship offer. You can still join an ROTC program as a no-contract candidate. It will be challenging both going to college and meeting obligations as an ROTC member. Many students give up their scholarships during their first year in the ROTC program.
Keep up your physical fitness training! A physical fitness exam is not something you do successfully without training! Depending on the military branch you choose, you should be prepared to run at least 1.5 mi, and do a number of push-ups and sit-ups. Some branches' physical fitness exams require you to swim or do pull-ups. Look up the physical fitness exam standards for each of the military branches, and start training!
Understand that these organizations are absolutely no joke. Serving your country and the good people in the military services will be one of the greatest privileges of your life.
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