Why Should You Join ROTC? | Pros & Cons Explained 

For those interested in joining the Air Force as an officer, outside of ROTC, another great route you can take is attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. It's a 4-year tuition free university that also graduates the most amount of pilots every year. I'm so excited to announce the release of my online course called The Air Force Academy Blueprint! I cover everything you need to do to prepare, apply, and survive the Air Force Academy. You'll have access to over 60+ video lessons, downloadable resources and checklists, access to a private community of other applicants, and so much more. Sign up here: www.academyblueprint.com/

The best piece of advise one of my cadre members ever gave my class: “Don’t major in ROTC”. There were a ton of cadets in my grade year that were fantastic in ROTC, but they were neglecting their grades. They are not officers today because of this. Remember at the end of the day, you need your bachelors degree to earn your commission.

I find out next Tuesday if I get the AFROTC Scholarship!! Edit: I GOT IT!!!!

I was also ROTC in south korea and I'm discharged as lieutenant! always thx for america's sacrifice in the korea war. we go together!!

I’m currently in my Freshman year of AFROTC and currently loving it. This video is literally an exact description of ROTC. Great info for people who might want to apply.

MTI: "We have the highest standards for PT" Angry Cops: *dies

My favorite and most encouraging 4 years in my 20 years in the Air Force was being part of the AFROTC Cadre. I enjoyed seeing high school kids become leaders. Had I known about this program, I would’ve pursued this route. Thanks for sharing!

To expand on the ROTC video, you really should talk about the differences between the programs at the 6 Senior Military Colleges/Universities (Texas A&M, VMI, The Citadel, North Georgia, Virginia Tech, Norwich) and normal ROTC.

I finished ROTC decades ago for the Army. It was a great experience. I chose not to go active duty and resigned my commission before the second gulf war. Sadly 8 years of reserve duty was not as awesome as ROTC. But the training and friendships during ROTC classes, including basic, advanced courses and the subsequent officer basic course was well worth the experience.

My son is finishing his freshman year in AFROTC and he has flourished. With COVID locking down campuses, it was a great way for him to make friends and become part of a team instead of sitting alone in a dorm room. He has to manage his time closely and balance ROTC with his other classes but I am so impressed with the positive impact it has had on him this past school year.

ROTC was a commitment but it wont ruin your 'college experience' if you know how to balance priorities. Remember what it preps you for - a legit job with good benefits and a community out the door with people your age. Self sufficiency and a path to making $ and having pretty much everything else provided for you is a more than legitimate tradeoff. Different career field in the USAF incur different commitments after you graduate and you influence your own destiny starting with how well you do in ROTC. ROTC is a much more enjoyable balance than the Academy.

I literally just came home from talking to one of my HS teachers about ROTC today The timing is impeccablele

I was recently awarded a full-ride Army ROTC scholarship. Planning to major in biochemistry and extremely excited to see where the military takes me!

Production was clean and information was worth a sub, I’m definitely checking out the scholarship options

Im currently doing JROTC to hopefully get accepted on OTS after collage to accomplish my goal of becoming a pilot on USAF

I want to join Army ROTC but I'm a bit nervous because as a Highschool senior I am not the most physically fit person but I'm trying my hardest to beat the struggle and gett better and better every day.

This is the best comprehensive overview of AFROTC I’ve found! Way to go Sam!

Hello :) I would like to start by saying, thank you so much for making the content you do and for providing this invaluable information. I had been considering joining the Air Force because of my high interests in Aerospace Engineering and because I have been unsure whether or not I'll be able to pay for college. But I was extremely unsure and a little insecure about it all. When I started to look up information about the Air Force and how ROTC works, most, if not all of the actually helpful videos came from you! I've been watching your videos for a few months now, and you have no idea how much I appreciate your videos. Almost exclusively because of your content, I have had all my questions about joining and the process answered, and I now can confidently say that I will for sure be joining the AFROTC this fall when I start college! In fact, now, I am absolutely looking forward to joining, and I can't wait for the adventure to begin! You have done an amazing job portraying all sides (the great opportunities and the tough aspects) of a choice for the Air Force and I just wanted to give a quick thank you for reinforcing me and informing me in the best way possible. This channel has been absolutely invaluable for me the past few months, and I can't wait to experience it for myself, and one day be able to share my experience just like you are now. Please do keep up making content about the Air Force, and just know that your work on RU-vid means a LOT to people like me. Keep up the good work!

Sam definitely did his hw on this vid. As a current AS300 AFROTC cadet on an in-college Type-2 scholarship, all his information is accurate to my experience. Great video! Sam, Can you do a video on the AF Special Operations career fields? 🙏🏼👀

Great content, I remember you were a guest discussing what I believe it was the F-35 to me and our CAP Fredericksburg squadron. You really helped me with understanding USAFA and I m now choosing which summer seminar date. Thank you keep up the great work.

Very informative. I'm an ROTC grad, but later taught at the Air Force Academy for four years. Pros and cons to each program for sure.

As a USNA grad and a current NROTC Advisor, this was a solid breakdown for ROTC as a whole. Good video with great info! If anyone is interested in checking out the ROTC program, I would highly recommend emailing the ROTC unit at the University of which you wish to attend and get in contact with their staff to assist with questions/concerns about the program. Each unit is going to be slightly different from one another for various reasons (size, location, resources, staff/student intent, etc). This is just one of my biggest recommendations.

I’m currently enlisted and looking and applying to the rotc program! Your videos are always helpful and top notch quality! Thank you for another informative and high quality video, sir !

Thank you officer Eckholm for all this information. Both parents have served as enlisted , Air Force and it has made an impression on me . Looking forward to serve the country

Currently a Sophomore on scholarship in AFROTC, going for a pilot slot but you've made me consider PA if I go non-rated. Going to use this video for future reference for others!

Due to you I’m actually considering joining the AAF and I’m not even American just because I feel like you create a great example that you don’t need to be a pilot or a soldier in Iraq, Thanks! And keep up the great work

Additional info about changing majors or losing your scholarship, if you decide after your first year that you hate the AF or your major, then you are let go free and clear. If you start your second year (and accept that money), and then change your mind... you have to pay the AF back. I always recommend apply and give it a shot, but don't wait too long to decide.

2024 AFROTC Updates: - All Field Training graduates are guaranteed a 2-yr scholarship. - All 4-yr scholarships are now 100% tuition/fees, regardless of location. - Any scholarship can be converted to a $10K/yr stipend for on-campus housing. - Full-time graduate (Masters/PhD) students may participate in AFROTC. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop them below. 👇🏼

Your explanations are very clear and thorough. Well done presentation on all counts.

This is an excellent, very informative summary. Thank You Sam.

Going to college this fall joining the AFROTC program. Unfortunately I didn’t qualify for a scholarship, but the in-college scholarship is my goal the entirety of my freshman year! Honestly I’m very excited on what AFROTC has to offer to me. I hope to become a well-rounded person by the end of it though. Thanks for the informative video, there were some questions I still had but your video answered all of them. :D

This video came at the perfect time, thank you

I'm actually heavily considering ROTC assuming I don't get into West Point's class of 2026, so what you talked about in this video is very helpful for me, thanks!

I have been always been wanting to attend a AFROTC program ever since 4th grade. I am now a freshman and it has all been one big waiting game for me so far.

Thank you. I love your videos. You are helping me so much with my future. Keep up the great work.

Thinking about joining ROTC. Vid really helped and answered all my questions! Thank you!

This is a really nice video, I'm not even out of highschool, and I hope I don't change my mind, but my plans are to eventually get Into the navy's ROTC at the college I live by. This really gave a lot of information, thank you!

Was watching your videos around junior, senior year of high school i didn't know what to do afterwards but i knew i wanted to go to college found out the nearest College that has ROTC. It's been a ride as of now im a AS100 its tough but should be worth it. Ill come and update as move up, been studying hard for the AFOQT wish me luck! And thankyou for the insight 😊

Im hoping to just go to the USAFA, but I'm definitely making ROTC a backup plan. Currently I'm in an army JROTC program and its a lot of fun, even with all the chair force jokes that I have to deal with.

Thanks Sam I really want to become an officer in the airforce and I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and I want to thank you for all you do for those who want to join I’m about to enroll in JROTC at my Highschool and I’m excited

Hey thank you for all the great information!! It brings me hope for my Air Force career. Here is a little bit of my story. I went to college and graduated with a bachelors in kinesiology. I took the officer test and didn't do that well. Then I enlisted in the Air Force. I joined at the end of 2018. So by the time I got to my base I was only there for a little while when covid hit. That definitely set a few things back with wanted to apply to OTS and that was okay. Sometimes you have to go with whatever life throws at you. I took the officer test again and passed! I'm taking the TBAS soon. I also just tested for Staff Sargent; hopefully that E to O pay will be nice when I do commission! You could also inform everyone about the Rated Preparatory program that is hosted I think twice a year. I am going to apply to that and to the next Officer board whenever that will be. If going OTS doesn't work I could always try ROTC. ^_^

Thank you, helped a lot, good information.

Thank you so much for this video! So helpful!

Thank you, Sam! Great info!

ROTC is a great opportunity for anyone, but if you don’t take it seriously and are glorified by the free college idea, you’re not truly interested. Like anything, nothing is free, you’re going to be constantly on edge about keeping your gpa up, or your fitness ability. Work hard enough to survive that, it’s truly is incredible at the end. I considered it as a high schooler before college but I had other scholarships and plus, my major was really difficult to begin with and I don’t think I would be able to keep up. It does without a doubt help a lot of people and has changed a lot of people too.

Current AS200 who (somehow) just got a nonrated EA. Great video and explanation of what it takes to get through AFROTC. Edit: Rising 400 now, also they've moved Field Training back to Maxwell.

Awesome intel Sam. Thanks for a clear explanation

Im in afjrotc and ive put a lot into it and ive got a lot from it. Im the command chief and its a lot of stress, but ive worked my butt off for it and im proud.

Dad did AFROTC at UNH, graduated in '92, and then spent the next 25 years of his life flying F16's, MQ-1s, & MQ-9s, overseeing ISR, and lecturing idiot Army brass in Iraq & Afganistan on how he and his could do their jobs better than they ever could. Col. James S. Merchant (Ret.), USAF, 1992-2017.

Honestly you are the best.i really lean a lot in this video

Yes more ROTC I needed that talk about air force topic

I plan to join AFROTC in college + I'm in AFJROTC rn! I'm so excited !

Thank you for making these great videos.

Great and well explained video!

I’m a sophomore in highschool and i’m seriously considering Airforce ROTC, thanks for the informational vid!

Hey! Great video! I’m currently at my home in Colorado and I’m considering the military. After getting some counseling and help from other people I know that were in the military, Air Force ROTC might be the way to go for me. First of all, I think the best thing is to talk to a recruiter and kinda give me some tips on how to do that. There is no greater honor and privilege than to serve our country! Now I know that rotc has some “boot camp” type training, but I’ve heard it’s somewhat easier, less weeks than actually bmt, and a little less stress, yet you still wanna be prepared. Is that true? I wanna be the best person I can be, to grow and learn, and to help others in the armed forces.

I'm about to go into my sophomore year in high school, and I plan to hopefully do AFROTC when I get into college, I'm determined to pursue a pilot slot and I do not care how hard it is, I will try my best and work hard enough to get that pilot slot.

Great video ❤

ROTC has been a great experience for me. I commission in May!

Aloha Sam. Thanks for the informative video. It helped Naomi and I understand what Calista is signing up for. I hope everything is going well for you and your family. Tell them we said hi.

Fun Fact: you can transfer or reapply to the Academy if you are in an ROTC. Also, you can switch branches, like if I am in a Army ROTC, I can go to the Naval Academy or Air Force Academy.

I am actually a type 7 HSSP at Michigan Technological University's DET 400 and I love your videos man. Still waiting for FT21 selections to come down, but we're told they'll be soon. Air Power!

Hey Sam, would you consider starting a podcast for these types of shows? Would love to be able to listen to it while commuting.

Unfortunately I could not meet the standards to get an Air Force scholarship (me only receiving a 1110 when I needed a 1240) so I applied for an Army scholarship instead and received 3-year tuition R&B. Air Force and Army curriculum are different in terms of their respective customs and environment. But by no means are they different when it comes to cameraderie and respect for one another. I’m glad I joined Army ROTC. I learned a lot about myself and definitely humbled myself a few times coming out of my sophomore year in college. And there is no doubt that there are other soon-to-be-officers going through the same thing I am. Much respect to those pursuing ROTC, and good luck to you balancing this, your school life, and everything after. 🇺🇸

I do Navy ROTC at Northwestern and its a very rewarding yet challenging experience but I’m excited to become a naval officer

I really inspired in your every video thank you

I liked and subbed. Very great channelw

Awesome stuff!

Damn this is a lot of stuff. I hope I stay on track so I can become a pilot!

I’m a senior, commissioning in May and have a type 2 scholarship. They do provide a room and board grant... at least at my school.

This video was very helpful, well organized, and explained accurately. I’m already in college! I didn’t know about the in-college scholarship or the nursing one! Thank you. I’m 25 and thought the cut off was 26(or slightly older) for some reason. Are these ROTC requirements same for all branches?

I Love Your Videos Sam.

Nailed it. I wish I had a reciter who spelled it out that clearly...I was ROTC, Type 7, @Michigan now an f16 pilot.

Great video man. I’m a prior-enlisted airman. I’ve been out for almost 6 years. Now I’m looking to go ROTC to become an officer - and hopefully a pilot. After all, you’re an officer first, right? I’m 27 now. Anything I should be aware of as far as how my enlisted performance affects me getting accepted into ROTC? I have an honorable discharge but have a couple LOCs for being late and miscellaneous 18-year-old-airman discrepancies.

Im glad ROTC helps in that cause next year in 10th grade Im joining JROTC.

Very good video!

I did this. I took Army ROTC at the start of college in 1973. The draft ended that year. The Professor of Military Science called me in and offered me a three year scholarship telling me that it would increase my service obligation from two years to four years. I took the deal. After graduation I served one year at Fort Bliss, TX and three years at a Nike Hercules Air Defense site in North Germany during the Cold War. I joined the Army Reserve after this and earned a reserve retirement after age 60 which I now am receiving. It is not enough to live off but it is still nice to have. It complements other sources. The GI bill helped me get my master's degree. Overall it was a good deal for me. I can't say it is for everyone. I did get called to active service during Desert Storm in 1991 and Iraqi Freedom in 2003, but was not deployed overseas. If was had erupted between the Soviet Union and NATO I would have been in the thick of it. Life is not a risk free proposition. Also, the military does not have any more obnoxious personalities than other areas of life, but the military gives those there more opportunities for expression. You have to deal with that.

This is something interesting if anyone is going to Army ROTC or just any ROTC and you are transferring from a CC. ROTC does not require you to take the SAT or ACT for you to be able to be eligible to get the scholarships or apply for the program. But it requires you to do Community college and transfer but if you do 2 years and transfer. You will be able to qualify for the full benefits. Even though it does say it's required, it's mostly targeting students that have graduated HS. It's pretty neat imo.

AFROTC is the way to become a USSF Officer as well at this time. Constantly changing though. There is also USMCROTC as well so you know. CU Boulder is where Colorado ROTC tend to meet.

AS300/Junior in AFROTC here, if you have questions, reply and I'll get to your questions when I get the chance.

Got my type 7 scholarship a few weeks ago! (Idk how but I managed to get it for liberal arts)

Take Engineering and take the ROTC scholarship. When you get your commission you will end up working with fine and excellent people. I made the mistake of not taking the scholarship but took a commission in the Navy. ‘79 Chemical Engineering Manhattan College. I worked two part time jobs to get through college. I would like to thank Admiral Rickover for taking me in and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.

I was in navy rotc and I loved it

I’m in A.FJROTC at my high school it’s fun I enjoy it a lot 😊

Wow i am korean army officer. This video is outstanding for student. My country must follow this program and increase marketing budget.

I just joined Civil Air Patrol, and I LOVE IT!!

Thank you for this video!!! If you know anything about the Simultaneous Membership Program, where you’re in ROTC and the National Guard at the same time, could you please make a video about it, please? If not then, thank you again for this video!!!

I got an NROTC scholarship and I will be starting school in the fall

this helps alot

Unfortunately I didn't know about this until it is too late. I'm 32 years old. Have a BS in Business (paid student loans) but would have enjoyed going to school for computer science major (I have a minor in CS) then become an officer. For now, i could settle with doing OTS for a business administration job. Maybe someday later I can get that highly desired STEM major. Possibly with GI bill after serving at least 4 years active duty

I was recently awarded the type 1 scholarship to study mathematics, which is super exciting! It’s nice not having to worry about how to pay for college. Thank you for making this video. While I’m obviously done applying, this would have been great resource for me when I was going through the application process and didn’t know very much about the program. I hope that those who are getting ready to apply find this!

i plan on enlisting when i graduate high school next year then becoming an officer

Speaking as someone who was in AFROTC with a technical scholarship, I would add that changing from technical to non-technical is impossible. It is not that there is a slight chance that you can change. You simply will not be allowed to because the Air Force is investing in you under the assumption that you will be a stem major. I requested to switch from mathematics to history and was denied, despite input and help from my cadre. The Air Force is primarily a stem-based branch and puts a lot of emphasis on stem majors. Keep this in close consideration as you choose what type of scholarship you want to apply for.

Will you do one for people interested in becoming an officer?

Goated ass video. Thank you stay up boss. 👍🏼

Wondering if this is still available even in April to apply, I’m currently a Senior in NJ and interested in any ROTC program.

Great to hear all that. I was hoping you didnt need to be a US-Citizen when joining, so when I heard that you did, all of my dreams were crushed in a single moment. Citizens are so lucky…

I am about to do jrotc and hopefully accomplish my goal of being special ops

Hey Sam, my grades in highschool stayed around a 2.3-3.2 at the highest point, and my sat scores weren't amazing either, not the greatest but I am determined to buckle down in college and make much better grades to commission as an officer. Am I still eligible to apply for AFROTC even though I didn't really blow highschool out of the water? I'm 19 and just graduated last year about to apply for college.

I'm a first Sargent in jrotc in high school and I'm planning on staying until College