The Army ROTC Green to Gold Programs seek talented young enlisted soldiers who have decided to:
- Leave, or are considering leaving, active duty to attend college to earn baccalaureate degrees and commission as second lieutenants This is the Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program.
- Remain on active duty to attend college to earn baccalaureate degrees and commission as second lieutenants. This is the Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program.
Quality enlisted soldiers with officer potential who have served at least two years on active duty are allowed to voluntarily participate and enroll in Army ROTC. The current programs that are avaiable are:
Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program
2-Year Scholarship
3-Year Scholarship
4-Year Scholarship
Green to Gold Non-Scholarship Option Program
2-Year Bachelors (Academic Junior)
2-Year Masters/Graduate
Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program
2-Year Non-Scholarship
Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program
Scholarships are awarded for two, three, or four years. Soldiers with two years of college remaining to complete their degree are considered for two-year scholarships. Soldiers with three years of college remaining to complete their degree are considered for three-year scholarships. Soldiers without college credit who require four years to complete their degree are considered for four-year scholarships.
Benefits for Green to Gold Scholarship Option winners
Green to Gold Scholarship Option winners receive:
– Tuition or room and board support.
– Additional money for textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
– A monthly stipend for up to 10 months each school year that increases each year based on your Military Science Class.
– Pay for attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between the junior and senior years of college.
– If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
– Additionally, many colleges and universities offer incentives to scholarship winners. The Professor of Military Science (PMS) at your college of choice can provide further information on what is available at the school.
Green to Gold Non-Scholarship Option Program
The Green to Gold Two-Year Non-Scholarship Option Program is available to soldiers who have completed two years of college, and who can complete their college degree requirements in two years.
Benefits for Green to Gold Non-Scholarship Option Cadets
– A monthly stipend of up to 10 months each school year that increases each year based on your Military Science Class.
– Pay for attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between the junior and senior years of college.
– If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
– School / State / Reserve Forces Duty Benefits.
Green to Gold Non-Scholarship Option members can also participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). As SMPs, soldiers are members of either a drilling Reserve or Guard unit and ROTC. SMPs are entitled to Reserve Component pay of E-5 under this program.
Also, many states offer tuition assistance to Reserve and National Guard soldiers.
Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program
The Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program is a two-year program which provides eligible, active duty enlisted soldiers an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or graduate degree and be commissioned as an Army officer upon receiving the appropriate degree.
Benefits for Green to Gold Active Duty Option Cadets
– Soldiers selected to participate in this program will continue to receive their current pay and allowances while in the program (up to a maximum of 24 consecutive months).
– If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
– Normal PCS entitlements
Click here for the Green to Gold Memorandum of Instruction (MOI).
Regardless of what option a soldier takes, in addition to the financial incentives, soldiers receive additional benefits as ROTC cadets. These benefits include:
– Leadership training
– Responsibility and Practical Experience
– Mentorship of the PMS/APMS
– Camaraderie
Can I enroll in ROTC while on active duty?
There is a new Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program. If you meet the qualifications for this program, you may apply.
Can I apply for a 4-Year Green to Gold Scholarship if I already have some college credit?
Yes, as long as the college accepts you as an academic freshman and you have four years remaining in your course of study.
If I reenlist, how much time must I complete on my second enlistment?
There is no minimum requirement. If you are selected for the Green to Gold program, you may be released from active duty regardless of the amount of time remaining on your second enlistment.
Can I apply for a 2- or 3-Year Scholarship if I do not have the proper number of credit hours but expect to have them prior to Fall enrollment?
Yes. You must have a letter from the school that you wish to attend stating that you are conditionally accepted as an academic junior or sophomore contingent upon completing the required number of credit hours. If you win a scholarship, you are a conditional winner pending acceptance at the school. You must provide proof of the required number of credit hours and unconditional acceptance by the university prior to your discharge.
Can a soldier who previously won an ROTC scholarship, and who was disenrolled from it, apply for a Green to Gold Scholarship?
No. Cadet Command Regulation 145-1 paragraph 9a clearly states that scholarship winners who disenroll for any reason are ineligible to re-compete in any ROTC scholarship program.
Can I take terminal leave with my early discharge?
No. Terminal leave cannot be taken in conjunction with early discharge IAW AR 600-200.
Where can I ship my household goods?
Your entitlement for the shipment of household goods is back to your home of record. If the cost to ship your goods to your school of choice is more than to ship it to your home of record than you will be responsible for the difference.
I understand that veterans are not required to take the freshman and sophomore level ROTC classes. Will I have to take these courses if I get a 3- or 4-Year Scholarship?
Yes, you will have to take these courses. As a scholarship winner you are a contracted cadet and must enroll in and successfully complete the basic course IAW the contract. As a 2-Year Scholarship winner or non-scholarship cadet your prior experience satisfies the basic course requirements.
I am in the Marines (or Navy or Air Force). Can I apply for a Green to Gold Scholarship?
No, the Army does not have authorization to discharge members of sister services therefore, members of sister services are not eligible for Green to Gold scholarships.