Joining military during college? Any experiences?

Hey, I recently learned about the possibility of joining the military while still in college. I'm curious how this would work. Would I be able to juggle both or is it too much to balance? Did any of you guys try this? Any advice would be super helpful.

Joining the military while in college is indeed possible and is typically done through a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, though there are also options such as joining the National Guard or the Army Reserve.

In an ROTC program, you participate in military training alongside your regular college courses. The structure of these programs and the time commitment vary, but typically, you can expect one or two classes per week (which might count towards your overall credits), weekly physical training, and monthly leadership labs which simulate military exercises. In addition, there are usually a few weekend field training exercises throughout the year. During the summer, cadets may attend basic or advanced camps and other military training programs.

As for how manageable it is to do both, it does depend on your course load and how organized you are. It will certainly require careful planning and time management to balance academic commitments with the military training, but many students successfully do it.

One major benefit of participating in ROTC is that it can lead to scholarships that help cover tuition costs. Upon graduation, ROTC cadets are commissioned as officers and serve a specific duration of time in the military, which depends on the service and if you received scholarship funding. It's also worth noting that these programs do provide students with leadership skills and training that can be beneficial both in the military and in civilian careers.

If joining the military while in college is something you're interested in, I would recommend reaching out to the ROTC program at your school (or a nearby school if yours doesn't have one) and speaking with a recruiter or adviser. They can give you specific information about what the program would look like for you. If your school does not have an ROTC program, consider options like the National Guard, which allow you to serve part-time while attending school.

I hope you find this information helpful, and best of luck as you explore your options!