noun

ROTC

ROT-see or AR-oh-tee-SEE

ROTC (noun) means Reserve Officers' Training Corps: a United States programme run at colleges and universities that trains students to become commissioned military officers, usually in exchange for scholarship money and a service commitment after graduation. Example: “She paid for her degree through Army ROTC.”

noun

Reserve Officers' Training Corps: a United States programme run at colleges and universities that trains students to become commissioned military officers, usually in exchange for scholarship money and a service commitment after graduation.

"She paid for her degree through Army ROTC."

"ROTC cadets drill on the field before first period."

A version of the same programme run in American high schools, properly called JROTC, focused on leadership and citizenship rather than commissioning.

"He joined JROTC in his sophomore year."

How to Use ROTC

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA programme where students train as military officers while at college.

When to use it

American. Pronounced either as the letters or as 'rot-see'. Branch-specific in practice: Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC and Naval ROTC are separate programmes with different rules.

Memory tip

ROTC is voluntary and civilian-based — cadets are ordinary students who take military science alongside their degree.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

JROTC West Point OCS the draft

Common pairings

ROTC scholarship Army ROTC ROTC cadet commissioned through ROTC

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She paid for her degree through Army _____.

Etymology

An initialism of Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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officer training programme

Rhymes for ROTC

OTC

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ROTC and JROTC?

ROTC is a college programme that leads to a commission as a military officer and usually carries a service obligation. JROTC is a high school programme teaching leadership, discipline and citizenship, with no obligation to join the military at all.

Do you have to join the military after ROTC?

Only if you accepted a scholarship or contracted with the programme. Most students can take the first year or two without commitment; once you sign a contract or take scholarship funds, a period of active or reserve service is required.

What is the difference between ROTC and a service academy?

A service academy such as West Point or Annapolis is itself a military college where cadets live under military rules for four years. ROTC students attend an ordinary university, study any subject they like, and take military training on the side. Both routes end in a commission.