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ROTC – Many of our local universities offer ROTC programs that you can attend while going to college.   The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows selected enlisted members of the Army National Guard to simultaneously participate in any Army ROTC program. Being an SMP allows you to earn your drill pay, which is paid at the rate of Sergeant (E-5, or your current rank if higher), understudy with a unit officer and perform officer duties, contract as cadet, and earn the ROTC (tax-free) stipend of $350 for your sophomore year, $450 for your junior year, and $500 for your senior year. You may also be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill benefits (if your prior service), which are $288 per month (tax free!) and a GI Bill Kicker at $350 per month (also tax free!).  At the maximum you could potentially earn $1370.00 a month!   

Army National Guard (ARNG) Scholarship Information

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) and Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) scholarships are available through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Course (ROTC). These scholarships guarantee that commissioned Cadets serve ARNG.

GRFD scholarships are available for up to two years and allow simultaneous use with the Select Reserve Montgomery GI Bill (a.k.a. “Guard” GI bill, chapter 1606 or 1607).

The DEDNG scholarship is available for up to three years but does not allow simultaneous use with the Guard GI bill.

Major scholarship qualifications include: US citizenship, 2.5 GPA, under 31 years of age for the entire year of commissioning, pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, meet Army height/weight standards, full-time student, and be of good moral character. Your local WAARNG Officer Recruiter will assist in setting up a meeting with the PMS to ensure you meet the standards for enrollment.

These scholarships pay 100% tuition and mandatory fees, or can pay room & board (not to exceed $10,000 per year). Room & board payment is for on campus (pays actual cost, not to exceed $10,000) or off-campus (pays the average R&B plan for the university, not to exceed $10,000). All scholarships come with a $1,200 per year book allowance paid directly to the student. National Guard scholarships for room & board can be used with federal and/or state tuition assistance to cover all major college expenses (tuition & fees, room & board, books). Cadets are also paid a monthly stipend in the following amounts: $350 for the sophomore year, $400 for the junior year, and $500 for the senior year. If eligible for Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) the student may qualify for an additional $350 per month MGIB “SMP” kicker. For soldiers on the GRFD scholarship attending the following schools, both tuition AND room and board is paid: PLU, SU, Gonzaga and Northwest (Northwest attends UW Seattle ROTC).

Note that all ARNG scholarship students must participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with an ARNG unit while in school. The Cadet drills with an ARNG unit and paid at the rank of E-5, approximately $250 per month, unless already in the ARNG and holds a rank higher than E-5. You are also non-deployable until completing BOLC III after graduation. You can also accept the GRFD while working on a Masters degree!

ROTC Departments:

1. Central Washington University
2. Eastern Washington University – Spokane Falls Community College students attend EWU ROTC.
3. Gonzaga University – Whitworth University attends GU ROTC.
4. Pacific Lutheran University – CWU Tacoma-Pierce College, Pierce Community College-Steilacoom Campus, St. Martin’s Univ – Lacey, Tacoma Community College-University Place, Univ. of Puget Sound-Tacoma, UW Tacoma Campus all attend PLU ROTC.
5. Seattle University
6. University of Washington – Northwest University, Seattle Pacific University, and DeVry attend UW ROTC.
7. Washington State University
8. Washington State University Vancouver Campus - Attends University of Portland ROTC program for Free!

Not only does ROTC help you obtain your commission as an officer in the Washington Army National Guard, it gives you valuable leadership training that many civilian organizations look for in their employees.   With the Washington Army National Guard you can get your college degree paid for, have a full time civilian career while you serve your community and your country part time.  ROTC programs are located in WA at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle University, University of Washington and Washington State University.  Many of the local colleges around these also allow you to attend their ROTC programs.  Don’t hesitate, make the move today, go ROTC!