University of Oklahoma Army ROTC - Cadet Status

Cadet Status

Many contracted cadets are actual uniformed members of the Army Reserve or Oklahoma National Guard. As such, they are entitled to financial remuneration which may include the complete payment of all costs associated with higher education and a modest tax-free salary.

Many cadets are also former soldiers, having served in the enlisted grades either in the Reserve Component or Regular Army. There are also several former sailors and marines pursuing an Army commission.

While enrolled as a cadet, soldiers who also serve with a reserve component unit may not be deployed. Cadets live as typical college students while at the same time engaging in physical training (PT), military instruction, and officer education. They are not subject to many of the same regulations that govern other soldiers. For example, they are not legally obligated to report their whereabouts to the chain of command when not on duty, and, aside from several mandatory events, may live their lives as they see fit, provided their activities are in accordance with propriety as well as military law and custom, to which cadets must still adhere.