ROTC continued on A3
By Tristan Navera
Staff Writer
For many college students, the Army has offered scholarships and post-college employment through its ROTC programs.
But with surging ROTC enrollment and shrinking military budgets, students are facing increased competition for ROTC scholarships.
“Some schools are looking at empty plates or significantly reduced (scholarships),” said Jim Rhoads, a deputy director at Cadet Command, who manages many of the scholarships for ROTC. “It’s not going to get much better for 2012 or 2013. We’re trying to relook the way we deliver scholarships.”
The U.S. Army’s budget for college ROTC scholarships nationwide decreased by $8 million last year, to $288 million, said Lt. Col. Matt Hackethorn, public affairs officer for U.S. Army Cadet Command, which oversees Army ROTC. The military expects another reduction next year.
And that means fewer scholarships for students. Hackethorn said he expects 13,500 scholarships to be given in 2012, 2,500 fewer than in 2010.
Meanwhile, participation in ROTC has increased, from 32,000 in 2010 to 36,000 this year, Rhoads said.
Many four-year scholarships became three-year scholarships to compensate for the decrease in money, he said. The scholarships provide cadets who have signed four- or eight-year contracts with the military full in-state tuition and $300 to $500 monthly for books and living expenses.
“Nationally, the number of scholarships has gone from 30 percent to 20 percent of applicants,” said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Charles Arneson, admissions and scholarship officer for Wright State Army ROTC.
While fewer scholarships are being offered, the Army has kept the same mission to commission 5,350 new officers a year through ROTC, Rhoads said.
Of 5,350 new officers the Army must commission annually nationwide, 643 come from the 7th ROTC Brigade’s 38 schools in Ohio and four other states, said Maj. Teresa Bodar, a staff officer for the brigade. The brigade picks up $30 million to $34 million in scholarships. This year, Wright State University got 19 scholarships; University of Dayton, 15; and Central State University, 15, she said.
“As we bring in fewer (Army scholarships), we’re seeking more cadets (with other funding),” said Maj. Steve Harmon, Recruiting and Operations officer for Xavier University’s Army ROTC which hosts students from Miami University. Harmon said now up to 90 cadets compete for just eight scholarships each year.
Arneson said Wright State’s ROTC has higher participation than ever. “A couple of years ago, we were happy to take 30 (students),” Arneson said, “Now we’re not happy unless we have at least 50.”
Despite fewer scholarships ROTC still offers stable job prospects.
“Last year we were about 100 short of our mission, but it’s still the highest number of commissions in 20 years,” Rhoads said.
Lt. Ryan Bush, freshman adviser for Miami’s Navy ROTC program, said his branch is facing similar cuts. There, 75 cadets are competing for 10 scholarships, and he said the disparity is expected to grow.
“Class sizes are about what they’ve always been,” Bush said, “But we’ve got fewer scholarships coming this year.”
Arneson said he thinks ROTC will continue to be popular.
“The economy has a big impact on people looking at officership as the viable start of a career,” he said.
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