Commission Track
For students and military families exploring the officer path. Whether you are a high school junior researching nominations or a parent guiding a cadet, this covers every program, scholarship, and what to expect.
All five provide a fully funded four-year education in exchange for a service commitment. Admission is highly competitive and requires a congressional nomination (except the Coast Guard Academy).
Reserve Officers Training Corps programs let students earn a commission while attending the college of their choice. Scholarships are awarded on merit, leadership, and fitness.
The largest officer-producing program in the country, available at 1,700+ colleges and universities.
Scholarship Tiers
Service Commitment
4 years active duty or 8 years reserve/National Guard
Commissions officers into the Navy and Marine Corps at over 160 colleges nationwide.
Scholarship Tiers
Service Commitment
4 years active duty (Navy) or 4 years active + reserve obligation (Marines)
Commissions officers into the Air Force and Space Force at 145+ host universities.
Scholarship Tiers
Service Commitment
4 years active duty (pilots commit to 10 years)
Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) is the Marine Corps equivalent of ROTC, conducted through summer training sessions at Quantico rather than on-campus battalions.
Scholarship Tiers
Service Commitment
4 years active duty as a Marine officer
Except for the Coast Guard Academy, admission requires a nomination. Most applicants pursue congressional nominations; military-dependent nominations are often less competitive.
Cadets and midshipmen live on campus in barracks or dormitories and receive all housing and meals as part of their compensation. They are not entitled to BAH because government quarters are provided. Academy cadet and midshipman basic pay is $1,452.90 per month as of January 1, 2026 (35% of O-1 under-2 basic pay); most of that is reserved for uniforms and other required expenses, so the cash stipend often starts around $250 for plebes and rises in later years as those deductions drop.
ROTC cadets are full-time college students and live on or off campus per their own arrangements. Scholarship recipients receive a stipend to help offset housing costs, but they are not entitled to BAH until commissioned. Some schools offer on-campus ROTC housing stipends.
Upon commissioning as an officer, graduates become entitled to full military benefits including BAH based on their duty station ZIP code and dependency status. Use the BAH Calculator to estimate housing allowance after commissioning.
Newly commissioned officers often PCS immediately after graduation. Families should begin housing research 90 days before the first duty station assignment. Entitlements include a housing advance and TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) during the move-in window.
Planning ahead for your first duty station? Estimate housing allowance after commissioning, or find an agent who understands officer moves.
Service academy applications are highly time-sensitive. Most congressional nomination applications open in spring of junior year and close in fall of senior year.