Contracting Requirements

Contracted vs. Non-Contracted

  • Contracted: Contracted students are those who have entered a contract and are committed to completing the Basic and Advanced Courses of ROTC. Contracted students then enter the Army as an officer upon graduation, either on Active or Reserve duty/National Guard. Most students are contracted with ROTC on scholarship, but some are contracted non-scholarship in conjunction with National Guard or Reserve service.
  • Non-Contracted: Non-contracted students have no obligation or commitment to serve in the Army. Students can enroll in the basic ROTC courses for four semesters (freshman and sophomore year) if they choose not to pursue an ROTC contract.

Ways to Serve

ACTIVE DUTY

Active duty is considered a full-time job for contracted cadets and is competitive. Salary starts at $43,646 per year, includes a basic housing allowance, and a projected salary of $77,628 per year within four years. Members will also receive free medical/dental and pension/investment options.

RESERVES/NATIONAL GUARD

Reserves/National Guard is considered a part-time job where service is required for one weekend/month and two weeks during the summer. Generally, members can stay in one area of the state or country and can move/transfer state-to-state if needed. Starting salary starts at $7,000-$8,000 per year with the expectation that members have a full-time civilian employment. Members will also have access to affordable health insurance and pension/investment options. 

SIMULTANEOUS MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Prospective cadets must enlist in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves and contract with ROTC in order to qualify for the simultaneous membership program. Cadets will then receive state and federal benefits along with the ROTC stipend and benefits. Cadets will receive tuition assistance and drill pay before contracting. After contracting, cadets will receive the ROTC stipend, E5/SGT drill pay, and earn the official Time-in-Service for promotions and pay. Cadets are non-deployable while contracted in ROTC during their college tenure and can begin their contract during the sophomore year. Upon graduation, cadets can be commissioned as an active duty officer (3-year service obligation) or into the USAR/ARNG (6-year service obligation). 

Career Fields

  • Maneuver, Maneuver Support, and Fires: Infantry, Air Defense Artillery, Armor, Corps of Engineers, Field Artillery, Aviation, Military Police Corps, and Chemical Corps.
  • Operations Support: Signal Corps, Military Intelligence, and Cyber
  • Health Services: Army Dental, Medical Service, and Army Nurse
  • Force Sustainment: Adjutant General's Corps, Finance Corps, Quartermaster Corps, Ordnance Corps, and Transportation Corps