Army ROTC
Graduate Students
A common misconception for many prospective students is that Army ROTC is not an option for graduate students. Joining Army ROTC and becoming an officer is definitely possible as a graduate student but requires planning. Since a graduate student will automatically start off in the junior year of Army ROTC, certain requirements must be met even before a student begins their graduate program in order to make up the prerequisite 100 and 200 level ROTC courses.
Making up the Military Science 100 and 200 Level Courses
Making up the prerequisite 100 and 200 level Army ROTC courses can be accomplished by attending a summer course called Basic Camp. Basic Camp is a 40 day training event that takes place at Fort Knox, KY. It is similar to Army Basic Training but with a greater focus on leadership and preparation for succeeding in the advanced phase (300 and 400 level classes) of Army ROTC. Once a cadet has been through Basic Camp they have satisfied all the training requirements to begin the third year of Army ROTC.
The greatest challenge with getting a graduate student to Basic Camp is identifying that they need to attend Basic Camp prior to the summer before they start graduate school. It is important that a prospective graduate student begins working with CWU Army ROTC well before the summer prior to starting graduate school.
Individuals who have been to Basic Training for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard have also satisfied all 100 and 200 level class requirements and if chosen for contracting, have the ability to start in the 300 year of Army ROTC.
Scholarships
Two year scholarships are available for graduate students! Students can apply for these scholarships prior to attending Basic Camp by contacting the Scholarship and Enrollment Manger at (509) 963-3520.
FAQs
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"Do I have to go on Active Duty?"
Graduate students (who are not currently enlisted in the Army Reserve or National Guard) can choose to compete for Active Duty or volunteer to go into the National Guard or Army Reserve. Just like all cadets who wish to go onto Active Duty, the process of being selected for Active Duty is competitive. Special scholarships are also available that will lock students into National Guard or Army Reserve service if they so desire.
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"What if I am currently serving in the National Guard or Army Reserve?"
If a person is already serving in the Army Reserve or National Guard the only scholarship they can receive REQUIRES them to remain in the National Guard or Army Reserve after they complete Army ROTC. A non-scholarship ROTC contracting option for National Guard and Army Reservists is available. This option pays less financial benefits but allows the cadet to compete for Active Duty.
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"How old can I be?"
To receive a scholarship a cadet cannot turn 31 within the year they commission (finish ROTC and become an officer.) Cadets older than 31 can apply for non-scholarship contracts that would allow them to become officers, but age waivers are required for any person who will be over the age of 31 at time of commissioning. Ability to obtain age waivers varies on the needs of the Army. Contact the ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Officer for questions about age and participation in the program.
As with all other students we are hoping to bring into our program and make officers we are looking at three sets of qualities: Scholar, Athlete and Leader. For graduate students we like to see individuals who completed their undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher. We also like to see individuals who have kept in good physical shape and show leadership potential.
It is important to be accepted to a graduate program at CWU as early as possible and definitely prior to being sent to Basic Camp.
Besides showing the academic, athletic and leadership qualities our ROTC program is looking for, a student must also be administratively and medically qualified for military service. More details on what constitutes being administratively and medically qualified will be explained upon meeting with the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer.
Green to Gold and Graduate School
Yes, you can pursue a two year graduate degree through the Army's Green to Gold Program. Green to Gold allows a currently serving Active Duty Army soldier to complete a bachelor's or master's degree and all required Army ROTC training to become an officer.
A Green to Gold Graduate Student can use either the Green to Gold - Active Duty Option (ADO) program, 2-year Division Commanders Hip-Pocket Scholarship, 2-year Green to Gold Scholarship or 2-year Green to Gold Non-Scholarship option. For all of the previously listed scholarship options the age limit of being no older than 31 years of age at time of commissioning still applies. For the two non-scholarship options, Green to Gold - ADO and Green to Gold Non-Scholarship, age waivers are allowed for older prospective Green to Gold students and are often approved.
Questions or information on how to start
Call the CWU Army ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Office at 509-963-3520, e-mail armyrotc@cwu.edu or fill out a Prospective Cadet Information Form.
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