Army ROTC FAQ

Q: By enrolling in ROTC, am I joining the Army?

1. Absolutely not.  ROTC cadets are college students just like any other college student.  The ROTC classes they take are college elective classes that help develop their leadership skills.  These leadership skills are valuable to employers, no matter what you choose to do after college.

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Q: Is there a military obligation for joining ROTC?

1. There is no obligation for the first two years of ROTC.  You can see for yourself what ROTC is all about without feeling pressured into serving a military obligation.

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Q: Is ROTC like Army Basic Training?

1. No.  ROTC is conducted at your college campus and is just another college course.

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Q: How big is the ROTC program at Hazleton?

1. We have 15-20 cadets enrolled in the ROTC program at Penn State Hazleton.  This gives everyone plenty of opportunity to have fun and exercise their leadership skills

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Q: How much of my time will I devote to ROTC?

1. You will spend just as much time in ROTC as you will with any other college class.  You will only need to spend a few hours each week in order to successfully complete ROTC.

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Q: Does ROTC offer scholarships?

1. There are many scholarship opportunities.  There are two, three and four-year scholarships.  Scholarships typically cover up to full tuition, mandatory fees, books ($450.00 per year) and a $200.00 per month tax-free stipend (up to 10 months per year).  Students apply these scholarships to academic disciplines in engineering, science, nursing, business, and many other majors.  There are even scholarships and other programs available with a "guaranteed reserve forces" option that will allow you to serve in the reserves if you wish.

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Q: Upon what criteria are scholarship awardees selected?

1. ROTC scholarships are awarded based on the merits of the applicants.  They are not financial aid.  Scholarship winners usually have performed well in a variety of activities, including academics, SAT or ACT, extracurricular activities and part-time work.  The whole-person concept is used when selecting individuals for an ROTC scholarship.

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Q: Do I need to have a scholarship to join ROTC?

1. No.  In fact, many cadets are enrolled in ROTC who do not have a scholarship.  They are simply learning valuable skills that will help ensure success throughout their lives.

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Q: What will I learn in ROTC?

1. You will learn the management and leadership skills necessary to be successful in any career, including the military.  ROTC differs from typical management-type courses in that you will learn and perform practical, hands-on type leadership in a variety of situations.  Previous activities in which cadets have practiced their leadership skills include rappelling, challenging obstacle courses, paintball, rock climbing, helicopter rides, rifle shooting and other adventure training.

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Q: How do I sign up for ROTC?

1. Just sign up for Army 101 during your first semester on campus.  If you are a returning student, you may sign up for any Army course offered.  There are no prerequisites for any of the courses taught at Penn State Hazleton.

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