| Current financial times are making many Americans | | | | After all, these students will have guaranteed job |
| consider options their parents never would have. For | | | | security after they graduate, even if it means getting |
| instance, one educational option that suffered a | | | | up at reveille. Further, while in the military they will |
| tremendous blow after the Vietnam War was the | | | | learn invaluable management techniques they can |
| Reserve Officers Training Corp (US ROTC). It was | | | | apply in the civilian working world. Because they are |
| originally created during the Civil War as a way to | | | | required to serve a minimum four years after |
| produced qualified military officers outside of West | | | | graduation, recruiters look at that as an added listing |
| Point. In the 60s, the Vietnam War gave the military | | | | in the resume, particularly if they end up working in a |
| such a bad name it was actually banned at schools | | | | STEM (science, tech, engineering, math) occupation. |
| such as Harvard. Four decades later and the tide has | | | | There is another skill many an ROTC grad has over |
| turned significantly, as has so much with military | | | | his West Point counterpart, too. One is they don't live |
| education. | | | | the cloistered live of a Cadet. Another is they |
| With the cost of a college degree rising geometrically, | | | | develop more refined time management skills from |
| many students now explore their options before | | | | balancing school, work and military commitments. |
| matriculating to a college. This includes signing up with | | | | Many times they also end up more rounded as they |
| one of the five main ROTC programs (Army, Navy, | | | | have the freedom to squeeze in personal hobbies. |
| Marine, Air Force and Coast Guard). | | | | The antipathy ROTC students faced in the 70s is |
| Many schools offer the Reserve Officers Training | | | | also pretty much over with, too. They are treated |
| Corps (ROTC) program. Harvard has even reinstated | | | | with more respect as their dedication to serve their |
| its program. This is due to the increased popularity of | | | | country is now considered a high mark by peers and |
| the military since Desert Storm and especially after | | | | employers. Also, as the ROTC has a very demanding |
| the World Trade Center. It also doesn't hurt that | | | | physical program, many leave in top physical shape. |
| students in the ROTC can receive a full-tuition | | | | There are also those who believe ROTC grads value |
| scholarship, as well as stipends for books and living | | | | their education more than the average student, as |
| expenses that may increase on an annual basis. True, | | | | they have learned firsthand about how hard work |
| after graduation the students become full officers in | | | | can pay off. Additionally, they will know that they are |
| the army for a number of years, but in these | | | | carrying out their civic duty while they work to |
| economic times, that is also being seen as a bonus. | | | | increase their value in the workforce. |