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Being a soldier in the Army is tough. Being in the lower ranks of the military is even tougher. Enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers make up the vast majority of the military personnel. Many of them serve as front liners during a war.
A non-commissioned officer has more experience than a junior officer does, but their rank is beneath the junior commissioned officer. They lack the requisites for rising up the ranks. One way to become a commissioned officer is to go back to school and finish the required ROTC courses.
The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Green to Gold Division Commander’s Hip Pocket Scholarship Program provides selected non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel in any military branch the chance to complete their baccalaureate degree requirements and obtain a commission through participation in the ROTC Scholarship program.
Each year, Division Commanders nominate deserving enlisted personnel for the two-year scholarship. Soldiers who exhibited exemplary leadership skills and have the desire to advance in their military careers are encouraged to apply for an ROTC Hip Pocket Scholarship.
According to the Hip Pocket Scholarship Guide, soldiers are not eligible for this scholarship if they:
- Are not on active duty on June 1 of the scholarship award year.
- Are ineligible for reenlistment.
- Are conscientious objectors as defined by AR 600-43. (http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_43.pdf)
- Are under suspension of favorable action due to unfavorable personnel action (AR 600-8-2).
- Have greater than 10 years active federal service as of the date of discharge. A waiver may be requested.
- Are under probation on a civil conviction or charges are pending at the time of application.
- Had an adverse juvenile adjudication or were arrested, indicted, or convicted by a civil court or military law (other than minor traffic offenses with a fine of $250 or less). A waiver may be requested.
- Are ineligible for re-enrollment in ROTC basic or advanced course (prior ROTC cadet).
- Are unmarried and have one or more dependents less than 18 years of age. A waiver may be requested.
- Have a spouse in the military and has one or more dependents less than 18 years of age. A waiver may be requested.
- Have been convicted of a domestic violence crime. A waiver cannot be requested for this.
This ROTC scholarship will pay the full tuition for the college degree as well as $1,200 annually for books and supplies. Aside from that, the cadet will also receive an allowance of up to $500 each month. Depending on their academic status, they can be contracted to receive the monthly stipend up to ten months per year.
Interested military personnel can go to the GoArmy.com website at http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/enlisted_soldiers.jsp and download the application forms. Under the Enlisted Soldiers section click on Green to Gold Scholarship Option and Application Download, then scroll down and click on Download Application for Scholarship Option Program.
