ROTC Scholarships

About ROTC Scholarships

ROTC scholarships, explained by the officers who ran the programs. LTC Robert Kirkland (USA, Ret) led Army ROTC programs at Claremont McKenna College and USC and was named Army ROTC Instructor of the Year. With CAPT Matthew Roberts (USN, Ret), a 30-year Navy officer and former Professor of Naval Science, and the ROTC Consulting team, he covers how Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC scholarship boards actually score candidates, what the interview is really measuring, how the DoDMERB medical review works, and what changes each cycle. Written for parents first, with the board data behind every claim. The paid first step with us is the ROTC Scholarship Blueprint, a one-hour, officer-led evaluation of where your student stands and what must improve. Schedule your ROTC Scholarship Blueprint at rotcconsulting.com/blueprint.

Publisher

ROTC Consulting

Category

education · government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 May 2020

Latest episode

6 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

5 of 53 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   6 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Army ROTC ROO: What a Recruiting Officer Really Does

   LTC (Ret) John Bautch shares insights with LTC Kirkland on navigating Army ROTC scholarships and the recruiting officer's crucial role in student success.

2. 

   4 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Army ROTC CBEF: The 18 Percent Survey Explained

   LTC Kirkland explains the Army ROTC CBEF survey, its significance in scholarship applications, and the implications of varying applicant preparation.

3. 

   26 Mar 2026

   DoDMERB Series 4: Vision, Hearing, and Dental Standards

   LTC Kirkland and Dr. (COL) Cajigal break down the head and neck medical standards from DoDI 6130.03 that generate the most anxiety for ROTC families. This episode covers eyes and vision, refractive error cutoffs, the spherical equivalent calculation, LASIK and PRK timing, keratoconus, color vision testing and service-by-service policies, ear tubes and hearing tests, chronic sinusitis versus routine sinus infections, braces and Invisalign timing (including the June 1 rule and how ROTC differs from the service academies), and wisdom teeth. They explain what the standards actually say, how DoDMERB applies them, where families commonly misunderstand what is disqualifying, and why applicants should never delay medically appropriate treatment out of fear of DoDMERB. The eyes and vision section uses graphics and visual explanations. That portion is much easier to follow on screen. Watch the YouTube version for the vision segment: https://youtu.be/hptRgIJsRdQ?si=eE4Y73Ee3AE07d1d&t=240 If your family needs help navigating a DoDMERB disqualification or waiver, contact us about DoDMERB Consulting: https://dodmerbqualified.com/start About DoDMERB Qualified: DoDMERB Qualified helps Service Academy and ROTC families navigate the DoDMERB medical qualification and waiver process. LTC Kirkland handles all family consultations. Dr. Cajigal reviews cases behind the scenes as the medical expert. Learn more at dodmerbqualified.com.

Inside a recent episode

Army ROTC ROO: What a Recruiting Officer Really Does

Published 6 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] It can, it can also follow into the campus based process. It can follow into the simultaneous membership program program. It can also stretch into the green to gold program, active duty army soldiers becoming cadets. Um, and so it's, it's harnessing all of those possible streams. […]

Who has been a guest on ROTC Scholarships

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• John Bautch
• LTC Kirkland
• Lieutenant Colonel Kirkland

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

215,435

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

32 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

6

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

82