<p>This thread is for anyone who even has the slightest interest in getting involved with or learning about Army ROTC. I am freshman here at WashU and part of the Army ROTC Gateway Battalion (which was rated 2nd best ROTC program in the country last time the programs were rated). Before you get scared away by the Army part, let me tell you what comes with the deal.</p>
<p>Tuition/fees are paid the by US Army.
Room and Board paid by WashU
$450 per semester given to buy books (or keep if you don't use it all)
$300/month stipend paid by the Army.</p>
<p>In other words, I am making money by attending WashU.</p>
<p>Alright, so what is required in return?</p>
<p>Long term:
4 years active duty in the Army and 4 years reserve (you can also choose to serve all 8 years in the reserves). You will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant after you graduate.</p>
<p>During school:
Take Military Science every semester (the easiest class you will ever have at WashU)
PT (physical training) three times a week in the mornings.
A couple weekends of each semester for FTXs (field training exercises). While parts of these suck (nerve gas chamber, not much sleep) most of the weekends your friends at school will be jealous of: shooting m16s, etc.</p>
<p>I am not trying to spam anyone into doing ROTC, but I just want people to know the option is out there. There are about 60 guys/girls in our program which pulls from other St. Louis schools around the area.</p>
<p>One other thing: don't think that your time in the Army will get in the way of what you want to study or do for a career. I am most likely going to major in Chemistry and go to medical school and serve as a doctor in the Army for my four years, but the same can be done with most other areas, especially you people who want to go into business. Ex-Army officers are scraped up immediately by great companies because they know they have leadership.</p>
<p>Think about it. You would be serving your country in a way not many other people can and, at the same time, going to one of the best universities in the country for free. Not only that, but it is just plain old fun.</p>
<p>If any of you have questions, post them here or feel free to private message me. If people are interested, I would be glad to hook them up with information to contact our Battalion commander (a great guy).</p>