The Citadel's ROTC program

I'm a junior in high school, and I'm exploring my options for senior year. Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of The Citadel's ROTC program? What's it like, and what should I expect?

The Citadel is renowned for its ROTC programs and has a long history of military leadership training. Students who opt for the ROTC program are immersed in a highly structured and disciplined environment that is seen to be beneficial for their future military careers.

There are multiple branches available with ROTC at The Citadel: Army, Naval (which also includes Marines), and Air Force. You'll be able to choose based on where you see your military career going. Each program has its nuances and areas of focus aligned with the branch it corresponds to.

The ROTC curriculum is not just about physical rigor; it is also about leadership development and military science courses. These programs aim to help you develop the skills necessary for a commission as an officer. Besides the usual college coursework, you will spend additional time on physical training (PT), leadership labs, and often will attend field training exercises. The Citadel uses a whole-person approach to produce officers of the highest caliber.

While it can certainly be challenging balancing academics, military training, and other commitments, many cadets report it as a rewarding and empowering experience. You'll have a structured schedule with early wake-up calls and a number of obligations throughout the day, including PT, inspections, parades, and studying. It's a demanding program, but it's also a great way to prepare for a career in the military and gain leadership skills that can be useful in many areas of life.

To prepare, it would be advisable to build up your physical fitness, develop solid time management skills, and familiarize yourself with basics of military operations and history.

As a heads up, all cadets at The Citadel are required to participate in ROTC for their freshman and sophomore years, regardless if they decide to accept a commission or not upon graduation. More rigorous and time-intense requirements such as physical training, leadership labs, and summer training camps generally come into play for cadets wishing to commission, which entails continued participation in the ROTC program following the sophomore year and into the junior and senior years.

Hope this overview helps you get a good understanding of what to expect from The Citadel's ROTC program. It is an excellent path if you're considering a military career.