Veterans & Military Students

From Enlisted to OfficerFrom Enlisted to Officer

Use your military experience toward a commission on the Hill.

Honorably discharged veterans, Guard and Reserve soldiers, and soldiers leaving active duty can use prior training for Basic Course credit. You can commission as a Second Lieutenant and use VA education benefits alongside ROTC support.

Credit for Prior Military Service

Your prior service and initial entry training can satisfy the ROTC Basic Course. That is the freshman and sophomore sequence: MIL 101, MIL 102, MIL 201, and MIL 202. Basic Combat Training and AIT are the training WKU reviews for that credit.

Start in the Advanced Course

Qualified veterans enter the 300-level Advanced Course at the start of the junior year. You do not repeat the first two years of military science electives.

Leave Room for Your Major

Skipping those four classes leaves more room in your degree plan for major coursework, so you can focus on finishing the degree.

How Your Record Is Reviewed

WKU Military Student Services and the Department of Military Science evaluate your JST or DD-214 for the transfer credit you have earned.

Simultaneous Membership Program

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) lets you serve in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve while you complete Army ROTC. You are assigned to a local unit as an Officer Trainee.

• Officer Trainee role: You shadow commanders and do Second Lieutenant work during drill weekends and annual training.
• Sergeant (E-5) pay: You are paid at least at Sergeant (E-5) for monthly drill and annual training, or at your current higher enlisted rank.
• ROTC stipend: Contracted SMP cadets also receive a tax-free $420 monthly stipend during the academic year.
• Non-deployable status: Once you contract into the Advanced Course as an SMP cadet, you are non-deployable so you can finish your degree on schedule.
• After graduation: You can commission as a Second Lieutenant into the Active Duty Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard.

Commissioning Age Limits

Veterans bring maturity and technical experience to the Hilltopper Battalion. Your maximum age at commissioning depends on whether you hold an ROTC scholarship.

Scholarship recipients must be under 31 on December 31 of the commissioning year. That limit cannot be waived. Non-scholarship cadets under 35 need no waiver. From age 35 through 39, a waiver is possible with Brigade Commander approval.

If you return to active duty as a commissioned officer, your prior active-duty enlisted time can count toward longevity pay and military retirement.

Use VA Benefits and ROTC Together

You do not have to choose between the education benefits you already have and ROTC support.

VA Education Benefits

Contracted ROTC cadets can use VA benefits they are entitled to, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Montgomery GI Bill®, or Dependents’ Educational Assistance, along with ROTC stipends.

ROTC Scholarships

Veterans can compete for 2-year and 3-year campus-based ROTC scholarships. Awards can cover full tuition and fees, or on-campus room and board.

Tuition Rates

WKU offers in-state tuition for veterans. Active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members can use a military tuition rate of $250 per credit hour.

Veteran and Military Support on Campus

WKU is a Military Friendly® school. As a cadet, you can use these offices in addition to the Hilltopper Battalion.