ROTC

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program that prepares students to become officers in the U.S. military while earning their degrees. ROTC is available for all five branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps. Students who participate in ROTC undergo military training, leadership development, and academic coursework related to military science. Upon completion of the ROTC program and graduating with a bachelor’s degree, ROTC students are commissioned as officers in their respective military branches and may serve on Active Duty (full-time), the National Guard (part-time), or the Reserves (part-time). The goal of ROTC is to develop leaders who are well-versed in both military and civilian affairs, aligning with Stanford's mission of producing principled leaders contributing positively to society.

Students join ROTC at Stanford for diverse reasons, often tailored to their individual goals. Some seek the financial benefits of ROTC scholarships, while others want to join the military for a specific career (i.e. Air Force pilot, Army infantry officer, or Navy submariner). Many students like the combined experience of ROTC and college over attending service academies like West Point, the Naval Academy, or the Air Force Academy.

The service commitment after completing ROTC varies depending on the branch of the military, specific program, and assigned career:

• Army ROTC: An 8-year commitment is required in either Active-Duty or Reserve Component (National Guard or Reserves). Active Duty entails 4 years of service and 4 years in Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), while National Guard or Reserves commitment is 6 years with an additional 2 years in IRR. There are also options to serve the 8 years part-time in the National Guard or Reserves.
• Navy & Marine Corps ROTC: Navy midshipmen are required to serve a minimum of 5 years of Active-Duty upon graduation. Marine Corps Option midshipmen are required to serve at least 4 years of Active-Duty Additional requirements may be required for specific job assignments.
• Air Force & Space Force ROTC: Both Air Force and Space Force cadets are required to serve 4 years of Active Duty. Pilots and some other flying-related career fields may have longer commitments.

• Active Duty (AD): Full-time service obligation. You are engaged in military service on a daily basis, often stationed on military bases or deployed.
• National Guard: Part-time service with a focus on state and community needs. In peacetime, you serve one weekend a month and two weeks per year, but you may be called to Active Duty during emergencies or for specific missions.
• Reserves: Similar to National Guard, part-time service with a focus on supporting and augmenting Active Duty. In peacetime, you serve one weekend a month and two weeks per year, but you may be called to Active Duty during emergencies or for specific missions.
• Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR): You are not actively participating in the military (no duty, drills, or training). However, you may be called back to Active Duty during national emergencies.

Our numbers are small but mighty! As of AY 2023-2024, we have a total of 16 students: 7 Air Force, 2 Marine Corps, 2 Space Force, 4 Army, and 1 Navy.

No, the scholarship selection process is COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT of Stanford's admission process. If you get a scholarship, the host ROTC unit may be informed, but you must gain admittance through Stanford’s general admissions process. We cannot help you with getting into Stanford (sorry!).

There are several pathways to become an officer in the military, each with unique opportunities and requirements. The main options include:

• ROTC - Offered at many colleges, ROTC combines military training with academics, usually over four years, often with scholarships.
• Officer Training School (OTS) or Officer Candidate School (OCS) - For those with a degree or enlisted personnel, these programs are shorter, from weeks to months, but can be highly competitive.
• Military Service Academies - Schools like West Point, Naval, and Air Force Academy offer a four-year degree with intensive military training, discipline, and physical activity.
• Direct Commissioning Programs - Professionals like lawyers or doctors can enter as officers without traditional training.
• Specialized Programs - Programs such as HPSP and NCOC offer education funding for healthcare careers in the military, requiring service commitment.

Choosing ROTC offers several unique advantages over other commissioning programs. ROTC integrates military training with college or university education, allowing cadets to earn their degree while preparing for military service. Additionally, ROTC emphasizes leadership development through a mix of classroom instruction, practical training, and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, many Stanford ROTC students enter with partial or full-tuition ROTC scholarships, providing financial support for their college education. Unlike the military academies, ROTC offers flexibility in life as a college student and allows cadets to pursue specialized training opportunities tailored to their interests and career goals. Finally, the wait for Officer Training School or Officer Candidate School can be lengthy and highly competitive, whereas ROTC offers a more direct path to commissioning. 

Participating in ROTC at Stanford offers unique opportunities due to its intersection with Silicon Valley and its long-standing relationship with the U.S. military. The university boasts a robust military presence on campus, providing access to various resources and initiatives, such as:

• Networking with National Security Affairs Fellows from the Hoover Institution
• Conducting policy research with the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation
• Participating in defense startup classes with Hacking for Defense.
• Completing a thesis with the Honors Program in International Security Studies
• Taking specialized defense, national security, and international relations classes with the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
• Completing a national security internship or fellowship through Stanford in Government
• Spending a quarter in Washington, D.C., taking classes and working through Stanford in Washington
• Staying connected with military-affiliated alumni with the Stanford Military Service Network

Stanford's appeal lies in its diverse community, attracting individuals from various military backgrounds. Each year, 30-40 students from different ROTC programs, military academies, and Active Duty positions pursue advanced degrees or fellowships at Stanford. Alumni have become fighter pilots, test pilots, special forces commanders, flag officers, and congressional representatives. This alumni network exemplifies the leadership cultivated within Stanford ROTC.

Stanford students in ROTC engage through cross-enrollment agreements with nearby universities hosting ROTC programs. This involves carpooling to UC Berkeley (Navy/Marine Corps), San Jose State (Air Force/Space Force), or Santa Clara University (Army) for weekly military training and classes. If scheduling conflicts arise, students are responsible for their own transportation to the host school. Stanford ROTC students enjoy equal opportunities as host-unit students, such as the ability to participate in endurance club, color guard, or any other ROTC-related activities. Check out the “Day in the Life” articles for a better idea of ROTC student life.

Typically, Stanford ROTC students carpool using cars, with many upperclassmen having their own personal vehicles. Because freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus, freshmen usually carpool with the upperclassmen or rideshare to get to training. OMAC gives quarterly transportation cost reimbursements to offset gas/rideshare/ZipCar costs. Please see the ROTC Transportation Fund section for more information.

Ultimately, the decision to join ROTC depends on your individual preferences and priorities. While the commute to host schools may be lengthy, many Stanford ROTC students appreciate the physical distance between their training unit and campus life. Contrary to common concerns, being a crosstown student has no impact on your ability to build camaraderie with your host unit. In fact, many Stanford ROTC students have risen to top leadership positions within their units, such as Cadet Wing Commander (AFROTC) and Battalion Commander (NROTC, AROTC). Many students nationwide revolve their college life around ROTC, but at Stanford, you have the flexibility to balance ROTC commitments with other aspects of your college experience. 

 Yes. Most of Stanford’s ROTC students are heavily involved in student life and have served as fraternity/sorority presidents, student organization leaders, or even NCAA Division 1 athletes. ROTC encourages participation in the school community. In our experience, scheduling conflicts rarely occur and are easily resolved.

Yes! Many Stanford ROTC students have successfully studied abroad through Stanford’s Bing Overseas Programs (BOSP) in locations like Florence, Madrid, and Berlin. Additionally, ROTC can fund certain study-abroad programs through Project GO. Early planning is crucial to ensure you can study abroad while graduating on-time; inform your ROTC advisor early if you are interested.

Yes, pursuing a coterm is possible, though timeline requirements vary by branch. Depending on your major and the U.S. military's needs, you may be granted an extra year to extend your commissioning and graduation timeline to coterm in five years. However, this is not guaranteed; in most cases, you should plan on coterming in four years (conferring both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years).

Yes! You can reach out to our dedicated student ambassadors for all ROTC branches. You can also follow our student-run Stanford ROTC Association (@stanfordrotc) on Instagram and DM to ask questions.

Details vary by branch and by specific scholarships given, but ROTC scholarships often cover:

• Full or partial tuition expenses at Stanford
• Monthly stipends
• Book allowance for textbooks and other required academic materials
• Uniforms

Please research specific branch scholarship benefits on their respective websites.

 Generally, no. Some ROTC scholarship recipients have the option of choosing to have their room and board paid for instead of tuition and fees, but the scholarship will not cover both. This depends on the specific scholarship and branch.

All questions regarding financial aid should be directed to Stanford’s financial aid office. According to the Higher Education Act, ROTC scholarships are not factored into determining the cost of attendance or expected family contributions for federal financial aid eligibility. ROTC scholarships should be treated as a veteran's benefit rather than a scholarship by schools.

Yes! Students may join any ROTC unit and apply to receive a scholarship for their specific branch before they enter junior year.

Stanford ROTC students must travel to their respective host universities for ROTC training. Most students carpool using cars, with many upperclassmen having their own personal vehicles. Because freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus, freshmen can carpool with the upperclassmen or use ZipCars and rideshare to get to training. See below for an approximation on routes and travel time:

• Stanford to San Jose State (AFROTC): 22.7 miles (one-way)
• Stanford to Santa Clara University (AROTC): 20.5 miles (one-way)
• Stanford to UC Berkeley (NROTC): 39.1 miles (one-way)

The Stanford ROTC Transportation Fund, sponsored by the Office of Military-Affiliated Communities (OMAC), is designed to financially assist undergraduate students participating in ROTC through Stanford’s cross-enrollment agreements with the three host universities and who are seeking financial assistance for their travel expenses. Students are allowed to use this fund for transportation costs with ZipCar, rideshare, gas, and parking costs.

• Please fill out this form for quarterly reimbursement. As a part of the reimbursement process, you are required to upload supporting documentation (ex. receipts for gas, Uber/Lyft, and parking). Drivers are also required to submit proof of auto insurance each quarter in order to maintain funding eligibility. 

While OMAC tries to accommodate all requests received, carpooling as much as possible is strongly encouraged, as funds are limited and may not cover excessive amounts.

Important Note: Cadets and midshipmen must limit their use of the ROTC Transportation Fund to travel solely for ROTC purposes. Cadets and midshipmen should speak with their respective ROTC branch unit staff about ROTC travel beyond the local area.