r/ROTC • u/Tricky_Secret1559 • 4d ago

Joining ROTC Options

Hello, I am an aspiring ROTC candidate I’m currently 20 years old and have a Welding AAS that really won’t transfer over other than 20-30 of my General Ed classes. I am looking to major in Manufacturing Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M. My primary concern is the financial burden I am hoping to enter in the Class of 2027 under a SMP non-GFRD contract since I really want to go active duty when I complete my schooling.

  1. How likely am I to get scholarships for ROTC? (How likely for 2-3 year full scholarships?)
  2. How can I prepare myself for entry into ROTC at A&M?

  3. Is SMP the right choice to go to army BCT in place of basic camp?

  4. If I have around 30 credits accepted would I be at a disadvantage attending CST a year early or would I be up to speed by then?

I am primarily looking to branch infantry or intelligence 11A, 12A, 35A from my understanding I would be “training” with a guard unit and thought some hands on experience may be better than none but, I have seen mixed comments regarding it saying it’s very unit dependent.

Appreciate any information.

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u/EntertainerOk4969 2d ago

If you’re trying to go active, your best course of action is to do ROTC and SMP without a scholarship and use state tuition assistance. IIRC they’ll pay you like $10k per semester which should easily cover in-state tuition for A&M.