Islander Army ROTC

Scholarships and stipends in Army ROTC help you focus on what's important. Namely, getting that college degree — not how you'll pay for it.

High school students

• The US Army 4-Year College Scholarship Program lets you apply for financial aid while in high school. Apply for high school scholarships.
• High School ROTC applications are due No Later Than late January of the Senior year in High School.

College students

• The US Army offers 2, 3, or 3.5 year scholarships for tuition and fees OR room and board.
• Up to $1,200 per year for textbooks.
• Monthly contract stipend: $420 monthly for months in school.
• Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) for National Guard and Reserve members: tuition or room & board are covered.
• Federal tuition assistance for guard/reserve members: up to $4,500/year

Apply for college scholarships

Catch the Wave Scholarship
Catch the Wave scholarship is to incentivize college-bound students who are considering military service as an Officer, to attend Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) and Islander ROTC through this campus-based scholarship program.

• The Islander ROTC - Catch the Wave Scholarship is a one-year recruiting scholarship valued at $5,000.00 ($2,500.00 per semester) (approximately 50% of TAMUCC undergraduate tuition costs).
• Applicants are screened, and selected, on a first-come/first-served basis. This is a Recruiting incentive; therefore, applicants lose eligibility after they have registered for Freshman Orientation. Funds are dispersed to the student’s university account prior to arrival for the Fall semester and no earlier than the 10th day of the Spring semesters if they maintain eligibility.
• The Islander ROTC - Catch the Wave Scholarship is open to undecided TAMUCC Applicants who meet the following requirements prior to, and upon arrival at TAMUCC:
  • (i) Accepted to enroll at TAMUCC for the upcoming Fall semester
  • (ii) Registered for full-time course-load during Islander Launch (freshman orientation), to include Military Science (ROTC) class

Leader Scholarship Program (LSP)
The Leader Scholarship Program is a locally funded scholarship awarded every semester. Its awards are based on performance the previous semester in categories to include Academics, Physical Fitness, Volunteer/Service Contributions, and other subordinate/related categories.  Awards can range from $250.00 to $1500.00 per award.

It's Not for Everyone—Just the Leaders of Tomorrow
The specific education you receive in Army ROTC will include things like leadership development, military skills and physical training. This will take place both in the classroom and in the field, but you will have a normal daily schedule like all college students.

Advance Camp Endstate
CST Advance Camp produces a Cadet who is physically and mentally capable of leading at the platoon level; is tactically proficient; applies fundamentally sound techniques grounded in doctrine; anticipates problems; applies the Troop Leading Procedures to plan, rehearse, and execute mission context problems; applies and analyzes military education, training, and experience to exercise initiative in problem solving during tactical problems at the platoon level; applies essential components of the Army Profession nested in the cross cultural competence; capitalizes on team members’ military education, training, and experience to exercise initiative in problem solving at the platoon level; communicates complex thoughts in a logical and easily understood manner and is dedicated to excellence and accepts accountability for self and assigned unit; willingly gathers input from team members to solve problems.

Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) Program
The CTLT internship program provides Cadets the opportunity to experience leadership in Army Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) units in a CONUS or OCONUS unit. Cadets serve in lieutenant level platoon leadership positions in active duty units. Cadets get opportunities to apply leadership skills, interact with Company Commanders, other junior officers, skilled Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and junior NCOs in an operational Army environment. CTLT is exclusively designed for MS III Cadets who have graduated from the Advance Camp. CTLT Cadets receive a formal evaluation / OER from their active duty chain of command at completion of the course.

Drill Cadet Leader Training (DCLT) Program
The DCLT internship program provides Cadets the opportunity to serve in platoon leader or executive officer positions in Initial Military Training (IMT) companies and work closely with Drill Sergeants and other cadre. Cadets experience leadership training with IMT companies. Cadets get opportunities to apply leadership skills, interact with Company Commanders and other junior officers, skilled Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and Drill Sergeants to improve common task skill proficiency in an Army Training environment. DCLT is exclusively designed for MSL III Cadets who have graduated from CST Advanced Course. DCLT Cadets receive a formal evaluation / OER from their active duty chain of command at completion of the course. 

Cadet Summer Internship Track
The Cadet Internship track provides Cadets a myriad of opportunities to seek additional training in specialized areas such as: scientific application, engineering, nursing, medicine, intelligence, and cultural awareness. The internship types, locations and allocations change from year to year. There are typically 15 internships excluding CTLT and DCLT which range in length from two to four weeks. Priority is typically given to MSL III Cadets. Each internship has uniquely different requirements. Some are paid and some are not.

Air Assault School
U.S. Army Air Assault School is a 10-day course designed to prepare soldiers for insertion, evacuation, and pathfinder missions that call for the use of multipurpose transportation and assault helicopters. Air Assault training focuses on the mastery of rappelling techniques and sling load procedures, skills that involve intense concentration and a commitment to safety and preparation.

Most Air Assault cadets will attend Sabalauski Air Assault School, located at Fort Campbell, Ky. Training is broken into three phases, each lasting three days: Combat Assault Phase, Sling Load Phase, and Rappel Phase. On graduation day, cadets will undergo a 12-mile rucksack march. When they complete the march, they will earn their wings as official Air Assault Soldiers.

Air Assault School is necessarily physically and mentally demanding, as soldiers will be required to handle heavy equipment and perform dangerous tasks under extremely stressful conditions. Successful candidates must possess a keen eye for detail and a dedication to meticulous preparation.

Airborne School
Becoming a paratrooper at Airborne School is a unique experience requiring special dedication and a desire to be challenged mentally and physically. This three-week course, also known as Basic Airborne Course (BAC), teaches soldiers the techniques involved in parachuting from airplanes and landing safely. The final test includes a non-assisted jump.

The purpose of the BAC is to qualify the volunteer in the use of the parachute as a means of combat deployment and to develop leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.

Airborne soldiers have a long and distinguished tradition of being an elite body of fighting men and women–people who have always set the example for determination and courage. When you volunteer for this training, you accept the challenge of continuing this tradition. The Airborne Soldiers of the past set high standards – it is now up to you to maintain them!

Success Now and in the Future 
Army ROTC prepares college students to succeed in any competitive environment. The leadership training and experiences that you have in Army ROTC will also provide you with a foundation to become commissioned Army officers upon graduation.

Starting Your Career
When you graduate from college, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Your career as an officer will be just beginning, and you'll find a variety of interesting officer career fields—called branches—in the Army. Upon graduation, you will embark on specialized advanced training for your branch.

The Army: It's What You Make It
Upon completion of officer branch training and a first assignment, Army officers may pursue additional specialized training and post-graduate education opportunities. You will most likely be assigned to advanced leadership and staff positions. Also, you may develop doctrine, teach military tactics, or serve as advisors.

If you're considering an undergraduate Nursing degree, enrolling in Army ROTC can enhance your leadership skills and critical thinking abilities while providing financial support to help make your professional goals a reality.

Being a nurse in the Army provides you with benefits not found in the civilian world. As an Army Nurse and Officer, you will have the respect of your peers and coworkers, as well as opportunities to train and serve in a variety of specialties.

Students who are interested in obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi can also enroll in ROTC. Students may enroll as a freshman, sophomore, or as late as entering college as a graduate student. Upon completion of the program, students are commissioned as Officers in the United States Army.

Learn more about Nursing programs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi