From the Battlefield to the Blackboard: How ROTC Cadets Navigate Higher Education

Higher education is often seen as a rite of passage, a journey of self-discovery, academic growth, and future planning. But for ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) cadets, that journey comes with a unique duality: balancing rigorous academic demands with the discipline and duty of military training.

As a way to fund my undergraduate education, I briefly joined the Tulane Army ROTC program after learning I was ineligible to enlist prior to college due to medical disqualifications for astigmatism and scoliosis. The Army recruiter I spoke with suggested ROTC as an alternative path to serve in the Armed Forces while receiving educational benefits. For two semesters, I woke up at 4 a.m. to attend PT and ROTC classes, hoping to secure another opportunity to enlist. Ultimately, I was informed that I would need to restart the recruitment process in Louisiana, potentially delaying my graduation. Balancing the rigorous demands of school, ROTC training, research, and internships became unsustainable, so I decided to leave ROTC and pursue alternative ways to fund my education.

Nonetheless, as universities open their doors each fall, ROTC students arrive not just as freshmen, sophomores, or seniors, but as future leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces. They’re up before sunrise for physical training while many of their peers are still asleep. They manage coursework, labs, and group projects while also mastering leadership principles, tactical fieldwork, and chain-of-command structures.

The Dual Life of an ROTC Cadet

ROTC programs are designed to develop the next generation of military leaders. ROTC cadets are often tasked with creating a unique skill set that merges critical thinking and decision-making under pressure with empathy, adaptability, and technical expertise.

They juggle 15+ credit hours a semester while logging weekly PT sessions, field training, leadership labs, and weekend drills. Time management isn’t optional; it’s a survival skill. Whether it’s leading a platoon-sized group during a field training exercise or representing their university in ROTC competitions, these cadets carry an extra layer of responsibility. They're expected to uphold the core values of their military branch while maintaining academic excellence. It’s a balancing act few truly see, but one that shapes some of the most resilient graduates entering the workforce today.

Challenges for ROTC Cadets Managing School and Military Commitments

• Isolation from Campus Culture: Their routines often differ drastically from those of their peers, limiting participation in typical student life.

• Strict Commitments: Unlike many students who explore majors and career paths freely, ROTC cadets commit to a specific trajectory early on, often with a service obligation post-graduation.

• High Expectations: ROTC programs expect excellence in both academics and military readiness. Falling short in one area can jeopardize a cadet’s standing in both.

ROTC Students: The Leaders of Tomorrow

ROTC cadets graduate with more than a degree; they earn a commission as officers in the U.S. military. By the time they put on their cap and gown, they’ve already led teams, managed complex logistics, and operated under high-stress environments. Employers in both the public and private sectors are increasingly recognizing the leadership maturity and mission-first mindset that these graduates bring to the table.

A Salute to the Next Generation of Leaders

ROTC students bring an unparalleled level of resilience, discipline, and leadership to college campuses and local communities. Whether they go on to serve in uniform for four years or twenty, their time in college lays the foundation for lives of purpose and impact. I write this article to acknowledge the scholastic and mental aptitude needed to become a ROTC cadet. ROTC is an opportunity to cultivate students with a mission, leaders in training, and future change-makers in the military and beyond.