What are Army ROTC Labs Like?

[@Graham_A]

Is rotc hard to balance with a regular schedule as a freshman. I’m doing rotc next year and starting colleg.

[@learningwithlanden]

It depends on your major, schedule, and time management skills. Most of the time, freshmen enter thinking it's really hard to balance the student and ROTC life, then they realize by their MSIII year that freshman year wasn't that bad. If you are spending more than 30 hours a week on homework, 10 hours a week on ROTC events (not including FTX or football game help), and in more than 18 credits, then that is actually a very hard time commitment and you will need to learn how to create more efficiency or drop something you like to do temporarily. Remember to experience "college life" and make meaningful relationships so that you have more drive when hardship comes your way. Never be afraid to ask an upperclassman or professional at your school for help. Ad Meliora!

[@Graham_A]

@ thank you

[@learningwithlanden]

@ glad to help 👍

[@McMilesE]

What are the classes like? I have to work full time and school full time. Difficulty?

[@learningwithlanden]

To be honest, “difficult” is an understatement if you are planning on being a full-time student with at least 12 credits (plus a 3-credit ROTC class and optional 1-credit PT sessions and labs), full-time 40+ hour work schedule, and ROTC responsibilities on weekends (program-dependent). After completing Cadet Summer Training and learning from cadets all around the U.S., the time commitment for ROTC varies drastically for MSIs and MSIIs. It also depends on whether your college/university is the host program for ROTC or a satellite school. You may have to drive around an hour to ROTC classes and labs if you go to a distant satellite school from your host school. These are important questions to ask your desired program’s cadre and cadets. However, is it manageable? Yes, the most viewed video on my channel features Joe Taylor and Tug Smith, who explain their challenges with ROTC, college football, and being good academic students. If you have good time management skills and are willing to push yourself to new heights, I see it as a great opportunity. (And if you get contracted for ROTC, you get paid, too.) If you have any more specific questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail]

[@kellychuba]

I could not do it while working full time. I chose security jobs so I could study. I honestly don't know anyone who managed ROTC and school and a real job.

[@learningwithlanden]

@@kellychuba I agree it is *extremely* challenging. I know a couple people who’ve successfully managed a decent GPA and full time job while in ROTC. The variables are the intensity of your ROTC program, university, and your time management/efficiency skills

[@leanit5756]

Not going to happen for long, recipe for failure. You have to sleep. I did to the point of hallucinations, then eventually dropped out and enlisted. You might consider that, enlisting, and earning money to then go back to college without having to work full-time. When I went back to college later with the Army College Fund and GI Bill, life was much more pleasant, and I was able to do really well.