SCHOLARSHIPS
There are 52 different types of scholarship opportunities to assist those who display the
leadership qualities we look for in our future officers:
STUDENT COMMANDER
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS Available to high school
students across the country and abroad. Apply the summer prior to senior year, starting
the second week of June and is found at www.goarmy.com. It only takes a few minutes
to register, and a few documents need to be uploaded. Three and four year scholarships
are awarded. If a student is awarded a three year scholarship, there is still plenty of
possibility to get an upgrade to a 3 ½ year depending on your fall semester grades and
the recommendations of the ROTC command.
CAMPUS BASED SCHOLARSHIPS These scholarships are given based off
on an OML (Order of Merit List) that the cadre puts together based on performance
during the first year in the program, such as coming to all classes, interjecting opinions
in classroom discussions, coming to all ROTC physical fitness training sessions in the
mornings, and energy in all areas that we expect from future Army officers. Recommendations are given by the ROTC Battalion Commander for a contract, which then are
up for discussion with Recruitment Operations Officer, or ROO, for either scholarship
contract or non-scholarship contract. Each require different service obligations.
ARMY RESERVE AND NATIONAL GUARD SCHOLARSHIPS These
scholarships are available to those currently serving in the Reserve, National Guard, and
those thinking about joining. These are Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty (GRFD) and
Minuteman Scholarships, which are available to those wanting to serve on a part-time
status while working full-time in their career field as a civilian.
SHOULD I TAKE JROTC?
MSgt Larry D. Smith from the Prattville High JROTC answers your
questions:
Should teens who aren’t certain about a future in the military
join JROTC?
“It will provide them with a lot of information about the different branches of the
military and how each branch operates. In our program, the cadets have opportunities
to visit the bases of the four major branches of service (Air Force, Army, Navy,
Marines). JROTC answers a lot of questions students have about the military.”
Do participants typically enlist?
“Probably 1/3 of our senior cadets enter directly into the military.”
What are the benefits of JROTC for both teens who are
planning to go to college after or go straight into the military?
“Discipline, leadership skills, responsibility, teamwork and self-confidence, cadets gain
a better understanding of how the military operates.” This can be a great advantage
for a teen who thinks they may like the military lifestyle but wants to be sure before
committing.
Jacory Kirksey (Commander)
Prattville High School
Air Force Junior ROTC
“I have had a great three plus
years in the Prattville High School
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer
Corp. One of the main things
I’ve gained from being in JROTC
is discipline. Being a part of the
Prattville team has taught me to
be more respectful, resourceful
and definitely a more responsible young man. JROTC has given
me numerous opportunities to
lead cadets which really helped
to enhance my leadership skills.
I feel that experience will help
me as I plan to enter the military
upon graduation. Being a leader
in JROTC has also improved my
interpersonal skills because I had
to do a lot of interacting with not
only cadets from my unit but cadets from other units. Finally, being a part of this organization has
given me a real sense of pride.”
And of course there is the financial aspect: “Cadets going to college have a good chance
to obtain scholarships entering directly into the senior ROTC program at the college
level.” Cadets entering directly into the military obtain higher rank for each year they
are in JROTC up to the pay grade of E-3.” [Which is $1847/month plus benefits.]
www.potentialmagazine.com
Winter 2016 |
37