<p>My freshman son just joined ROTC and loves it. One of the leaders (I know there's another name for leader, but I don't know it) mentioned 3 available scholarships next year and said he looked like a good candidate. If he accepts the scholarship, and signs a contract, is he obligated to serve after graduation? Can he change his mind and pay back the scholarship? If there is an obligation, I'd rather see him decline the scholarship, in order to make sure this is really what he wants. </p>
<p>These are questions he should be asking the recruiter.</p>
<p>Even at 19, some kids still need guidance. They don’t know what questions to ask. Some scholarships have strings attached. I’m thinking this one has a rope.</p>
<p>If the military pays for some or part of his school, they’re going to want some pay back. That’s common sense. If he isn’t sure that he wants to serve as an officer for X number of years after graduation, then he shouldn’t be applying for an ROTC scholarship.</p>
<p>Yes, there is a requirement for service, but we can’t tell you what it is. The military is not trying to hide it, it’s right there in the contract.</p>
<p>The requirement is that he would have to serve in the military for 4 years after college. Withdrawing from the program, or from college would incur an obligation to pay the military back for the scholarship or, in some cases, serving in the military as an enlisted person.</p>
<p>If you are financially capable of continuing to pay for his education, then there is no reason for him to take the scholarship.</p>
<p>He can still stay in ROTC, without the scholarship, with no obligation. He still could serve in the military after college. He will be required, however, to go into the reserves. Starting the junior year, he would receive a modest stipend ($450 to $500 a month). So, this carries less burdensome obligations but still has obligations.</p>
<p>Since he is still a freshman, I recommend that he turn down the three year scholarship for now. ROTC does have two year scholarships for junior and senior year. If he still is enjoying ROTC a year from now, he could do that. He would have more time to understand what he is getting into, and to understand what he wants to do after college.</p>
<p>It is an eight year commitment which includes Active Duty or Reserves for at least 4 years and the last 4 can be Individual Ready Reserves, IRR. The IRR has no requirements to show up for any military duty, one weekend a month, however they can have a muster where the person in the IRR shows and does some medical test, physical and dental. The individual can do all 8 active duty or reserves or a combination the 3, Active Duty, Reserves and IRR.<br>
If a person declines to go into the military, they will expect payment back. With the military getting smaller, I expect that his chances for Active Duty will be smaller compared to the past.<br>
The other requirement is the summer after junior year, he will be expected to do a summer camp where he will be evaluated with all other Army ROTC juniors.<br>
If you have concerns, ask for him to send you the contract. It is pretty straightforward or once you read and have other questions, you can post them here.</p>