Aside from including ROTC training in the college curriculum of military colleges and authorized universities, the United States federal government has also issued authorization for some military academies and high schools to include a Junior ROTC subject in their curriculum.

The purpose of the JROTC, according to Title 10, Section 2031 of the United States Code, is “to instill in students in the United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.”

The United States Army Junior ROTC aims to motivate young people to be better citizens. The program aims to develop leadership potential among high school students, starting them off early.

As a necessity for all military personnel, Junior ROTC training emphasizes physical fitness in its cadets. The physical training helps students to appreciate more deeply the importance of physical fitness in maintaining good health.

Junior ROTC is an important stepping-stone for those who want to proceed to a military career without actually enrolling in a military school, as they may not yet be final in their decision. Although the Junior ROTC was not primarily created as a recruitment tool, it helps those inclined in joining the military have a better and easier chance of pursuing their dreams. In addition, it helps recruiters as they can focus on helping those interested.

The Marine Corps even has some testimonies that fully one-third of those who join the Marine Corps Junior ROTC end up enlisting for the Marines. Some students who have enjoyed their experience during the Junior ROTC either enlist as service members or go on to join the Reserved Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) Program and end up as officers in the service.

Depending on the state and school, the Junior ROTC program is usually an elective course, and students who participate for one year receive credit in lieu of a physical education class. Most schools offer three to four years of Junior ROTC training, and students who excel in the first year can opt to take another year of training. Successful completion of 2 to 4 years of the program can give a graduate the option to enlist with an advanced rank in the Armed Forces.

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.

The Reserved Officers’ Training Corps, more popularly known as ROTC, is a college-based, officer-commissioning program. Colleges and universities normally include ROTC as part of the curriculum. However, educational institutions recently turned the ROTC program into an elective course that focuses on developing leadership skills, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.

Students in colleges and universities have the option to undergo training for the Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, and Naval ROTC programs, which commission officers for the different branches of the military. With the Army being the largest branch of the military, many students choose the Army ROTC training, which comprises the biggest branch of the whole ROTC program. Go Army claims that the Army ROTC is one of the best leadership courses available in the country.

A college student who wants to pursue a military career should enroll into Army ROTC. Upon graduation from, the graduate earns the rank of a Second Lieutenant, which commissions him or her into the Active Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard. Initial training in an ROTC course provide the necessary basic leadership skills to lead and survive the military.

After completing the Officer Branch training course and their first assignment, Army Officers have the option to pursue additional specialized training or to look for postgraduate educational opportunities. Graduates usually receive assignments in advanced leadership positions and staff positions in upper management.

The United States Army, as a public service, provides public access to military information through the Cadet Command Headquarters Website. The site provides information on various topics, including ROTC, to those who have just joined or who are planning to join the military. The ROTC program produces approximately 60 percent of the second lieutenants who join the Active Armed Forces, the Army National Guard, and the US Army Reserve. Of the Army General Officers currently on active duty, more than 40 percent have been commissioned through the ROTC.