ROTC nurse?

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Hi:) I'm about to turn 18, 2 months before the beginning of the senior year in high school.

As you can guess I'm thinking about being a nurse, and I found out that the one of the ways that could help me financially for college was the ROTC program. I don't really know anything about it yet- so I was hoping you guys could help me out! First of all, I want to know what I'm expected to do in college. how often will I be training in ROTC? ROTC and college.. Do you have enough time for both?

and most importantly, scholarships! I came to U.S in 5th grade so I am not a citizen yet. I only have a green card.. I might be able to get it after I turn 18. Will I still be able to get the scholarships? And what do they look at when they give out the scholarships? (ACT, gps, etc)

and also, this might be a stupid question but you know, just in case.. is there a height limit? I'm about 5 ft.. no more, no less:(

thank you for your time reading and please answer me-

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ROTC is not just a means to money. You will be commissioned into the US armed forces as an officer in whatever branch of ROTC you join. As such, you must be a citizen. You are currently ineligible for the scholarship.

Your height shouldn't be a problem. Do you have any other medical or legal issues?

ROTC involves 3 major parts: PT (physical training), lab (basic soldiering skills) and classroom. PT is conducted around 5 or 6am, either every day Mon-Fri or every other day (M, W, F). Lab and classroom work usually occur once a week on the same day. The link below should help clarify things for you.

FAQ | goarmy.com

You really need to consider your decision carefully. With the way things are going in Iraq, there's a chance we may be heading back over to stabilize that region. Are you prepared to deploy? Are you willing to work 80+ hours a week even when you're stateside as the drawdown drastically cuts into our numbers and staff becomes scarce? Are you willing to compete with other nurses to remain on active duty or in the reserves? Are you willing to give up the ability to travel as you please? Are you willing to work a full pay period even when you're granted leave? If you've answered "no" to any of the above, the military is not for you.

Please browse the following board: Government / Military Nursing

AN's military nurses, many of us active duty, hang out here. There's a lot of good information for you to read.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Talk with the recruiter on the campus if the college you are going to attend. My daughter is going ROTC and what the ones on the college campus tell you is very different from what you are told by a recruiter at the high school or local office.

She will be going to PT every morning from 6a-7a, classes including her military ones from 730-330. She is in a learning community with other ROTC people going for a biology degree. She has to go with her group once a month for a weekend for training. She will be going for her basic training next summer, so she won't be home at all (this is her freshman year). It is a big commitment, one you have to think carefully about. She will be in the guard, which USUALLY has a lower chance of deployment but you can still be deployed. She "owes" them 4 years after college since they are covering her tuition, housing and books. The nice thing is that they are able to do their weekend stints right on campus.

Lots to think about. We talked with her a great length about it and it is a very big decision. I thnk it is a great opportunity but it isn't all fun and games.

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She will be in the guard, which USUALLY has a lower chance of deployment but you can still be deployed.

I hate to say this, but the Guard actually tends to deploy more than active duty. With AD folks such as myself filling job slots in permanent positions CONUS, guard and reservists have been utilized for deployment MUCH more frequently than active duty folks, especially in the current conflict. Weekend warriors are easier for the Army to send because they're not employed full-time with the DOD, hence they don't create an absence in a given duty station when they deploy.

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She will be going for her basic training next summer, so she won't be home at all (this is her freshman year).

I'm a little confused, NicuGal. ROTC folks don't do basic. Is she doing LTC?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I believe it is her Cadet training. Her friends who have gone thru already told her it is like a mini basic.

Is it regional for deployments? It seems many of our guard do not regularly deploy. But we had a long talk with her and she is sure this is what she wants. My dad grew up army and we have several close friends who are now DOD in the Airforce who have spoke with her. This is something she has talked about for years. But to the OP you can't just go in with the thought it is just a scholarship possibility, it is going to be your life for a lot if years.

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It's either LTC or LDAC, then. Tell her not to worry. The training nowadays is nothing like it used to be, and frequently the heat category will prevent cadets from training most of the day.

I'm not sure how deployments are managed for guard/reserve. She'll be fortunate if she doesn't deploy as a guard member/reservist.

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