Colleges must be accredited by a state, regional or national accrediting agency to have ROTC programs. The school is required to have a training and academic agreement with the military. You can enroll in ROTC before you start college or after you have completed one to two years of school.
One military elective and one military laboratory course must be completed each semester. For example, you might take an Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force leadership course or a military customs and traditions course as an elective. Laboratory courses are hands-on and cover areas such as water survival, battle simulations, mission planning and physical fitness challenges. Advanced ROTC training programs accelerate physical fitness, lab and field training requirements. College juniors and seniors complete field training, generally during the summer, as part of the advanced training. Leading up to 40 other ROTC students through outdoor terrain on a simulated mission is a typical experience of field training.
To enroll in a collegiate ROTC program, you must show proof that you are a U.S. citizen, such as a birth certificate or Social Security card. You must be at least 18 years old, or 17 if your parents or legal guardians sign your ROTC application. Poor academic performance in high school, such as a grade-point average below 2.5, could delay or prevent you from being accepted into a collegiate ROTC program. The oldest you can be to participate in ROTC is generally 26 years.
ROTC candidates must pass a physical fitness test established by the military branch that they are entering. This includes meeting height and weight requirements, passing a medical examination and completing fitness exercises (e.g., push-ups, sit-ups).
After you complete ROTC you will sign a contract with the military agreeing to serve at least four years. The Army requires that you commit to serve at least four years on active duty and another four years as a reservist if you receive a full four-year ROTC scholarship. If you attend an advanced ROTC program and pay your own tuition, you must commit to serve at least three years in the military.