Educational Benefit 

Paying for college is not easy for most Americans. With the student loan debt as a country surpassing $1 Trillion, no wonder students and families are finding other ways to pay for it. The military provides tuition assistance for those who are willing to serve. The military allows you to get your bachelor's degree without ever going to boot camp and providing leadership training. There are five different ways you are able to cover your tuition at McDaniel ROTC. The requirements that you need to meet before joining ROTC are as follows:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least 17, and under 31 in year of commissioning
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50, unweighted, if you're in high school while applying
• Have taken the SAT or ACT
• Take the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
• Meet the physical height and weight requirements
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard

The most competitive scholarship is the ROTC SCHOLARSHIP. This scholarship is applied at the national level and it covers your room and board, tuition, and textbooks for up to four years, plus a $420 monthly stipend. You are obligated to do eight years in service on active duty and/or reserve.

The next two are National Guard committed scholarships. DEDICATED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (DEDNG) SCHOLARSHIP is up to a four-year scholarship and MINUTEMAN (MM) SCHOLARSHIP is up to two years which covers your room and board, tuition, and textbooks for up to four years, plus a $420 monthly stipend. With this scholarship, you are enlisted into the National Guard and are attending drill. While at drill you are receiving the drill pay of a sergeant, approximately $319 per month, and begin your retirement time. You are obligated to do eight years of service in the National Guard.

GUARANTEED RESERVE FORCES DUTY (GRFD) SCHOLARSHIP is up to two years which covers your room and board, tuition, and textbooks for up to four years, plus a $420 monthly stipend. With this scholarship, you are enlisted into the National Guard and are attending drill. While at drill you are receiving the drill pay of a sergeant, approximately $319 per month, and begin your retirement time. You are obligated to do eight years of service in the reserve. 

Lastly, if you are unable to get an ROTC scholarship and are unable to pay for school. There is still a way to get the army to cover it without committing to the reserve after commissioning. The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) enlists you in the guard or reserve while you are in college. In return, you are able to get Federal or State aid which covers your college tuition. While in the program you are receiving the drill pay of a sergeant, approximately $319 per month, and begin your retirement time, and a $420 stipend every month

Resume builder 

Being a ROTC and SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program) are great resume builders. Below are some but not all ways the organization can increase your opportunities.

1. Leadership Development: ROTC and SMP provides for many differ leadership opportunities. Cadets are placed in leadership position during their sophomore year or even before. Due to frequent leadership roles cadets can showcase their ability and improve their capabilities as they continue to grow throughout the years. As a SMP cadet your unit many in charge you with various roles. Currently I am acting executive officer which is a highly responsible position that is offend filled by a more experienced officer. Learning to lead and managing teams are highly valued skills that are appreciated by any work field.
2. Time Management and Discipline: Balancing the rigorous schedule of ROTC, academic life, and personal life requires active time-management skills and disciple. Cadets must learn to prioritize between the three and are often pushed to the limit. By doing so this reflect strong work ethics and dedication.
3. Decision-Making Under Pressure: ROTC cadets are often put in stressful situations and are tasked to make quick decision. They are often exposed to high pressure scenarios and evaluated on their ability to make effective decision-making skills. As a SMP cadet these skills are seen more often due to the more responsibility in the program. This is important in the military because of the high risk a decision can be.
4. Physical Fitness: Meeting the standards physically to maintain their eligibility which demonstrates their commitment to health. This also demonstrates strong work ethic and time-management skills.
5. Hands-On Training in the National Guard/Reserve: Through SMP, cadets can enlist in the Guard or Reserve while there are in ROTC. This allows them to get hands-on training to the specific job they are in. These hand-on training can provide speculated skills and certification that can used in the civilian world. As an infantry cadet I am trained tactics, marksmanship, and leadership skills which can be used to pursuit first responder, security, etc.
6. Networking Opportunities: While enlisted, cadets can network within the Guard or Reserve which are filled with diverse group of individuals in different positions and work fields outside the military. The networking can lead to great mentorship and open different opportunities. As a cadet in an infantry unit, there are many different experiences in my unit. I have learned and been mentored by PHD cybersecurity analyses that work positions to struggling homeless individuals. Overall, I believe you can learn at least one thing from anyone no matter their position or schooling status.
7. Security Clearance: Once becoming in ROTC cadet, you begin the process of obtaining a security clearance. This is a great resume booster as it demonstrates trust and can be eligible for more sensitive jobs. This can benefit when looking for a government or contractor job.

In summary, ROTC and SMP offer great resume boosters. They provide many different roles and traits which can improve your chances. The ability to network with a large group of individuals. Obtain a security clearance. This does not better your chances once you graduate but also makes you more diverse to expand in many different fields.

Morning PT (Physical Training) Is Not As Bad As You Think It Is 

Waking up early in the morning four days out of the week, three mornings for PT. ROTC can be a challenge if not ready to commit to your schedule. At first, it is something you need time to get your schedule adjusted to. However, after a while, it gets a lot better. PT is a morning group workout that the program does together. Below are some examples of why some cadets are willing to continue with the program.

1. Team Building: The ROTC cadets are all very close, which makes sense. We all have ROTC classes together and spend every morning together. Not only that we designate mentors to one another. Seniors mentor juniors, juniors mentor sophomores, and sophomores mentor freshmen. This means we all understand what everyone is going through and the program is open for support. If a cadet is falling behind or needs a bit of motivation, other cadets are there to help in which way they can. Lastly, and probably the best part of it all is having someone to eat with. The program has an unofficial rule that we get together and are open to anyone to join us. After being up early morning, an omelet with your friends is a better way to start your day.  

2. Leadership development: Every PT is run by a cadet. A PT must be planned and briefed to our military science professors two weeks out. During the brief, you are given advice and different looks to find ways to improve the workout. Once the day comes when the cadet has to be a leader, the cadet will go through the hour workout leading their fellow cadets and military science professors. Many times this is the first time cadets are put in leadership roles which is a great opportunity to improve as they continue to be put in leadership roles. 

3. Health & Habits: Everyone knows that the military requires their soldiers to remain fit. This is the reason why we have morning PT. Doing it as a group improved intensity and consistency. Regular exercise helps cadets improve strength, endurance, and cardio. At times they push cadets to their limits, improving their mental resilience. This allows them to trust themselves more often and overcome self-doubt. Lastly improving overall health and preventing injury. 

Personally, I enjoy my time in the morning with the other cadets. I am a twin and after moving away from one another. I have found it hard to get the motivation to work alone. Now I look forward to working out with everyone else. It is hard to work alone, I never can do it. Second, having a friend to talk to about personal life is always nice. The army assigns you a buddy and this helps you find ways to get through challenging things in life. Lastly, having someone to get food with is the best thing. My freshman year I would eat alone at times. This isn't a bad thing, however having a group is often a lot nicer. College is tough and getting through it with other motivated cadets makes it easier. 

Army & Family DON'T Always Mix Well