Change career paths after you enlist. Get a degree and become a commissioned Officer through the Army Green to Gold program.
Green To Gold To Army Officer
If you join as an enlisted Soldier and later want to commission as an Army Officer, the Green to Gold program can help you get there. As a commissioned Officer, you’ll serve as a leader, problem-solver, mission planner, and mentor to junior Soldiers, while making an impact across the globe.
Earn A Degree While You Serve
Green to Gold is separate from our standard education benefits and designed to help enlisted Soldiers become Army Officers. After you join with a high school diploma, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree to make the switch to Officership.
Your Options For Green To Gold
The Green to Gold program has four options for active-duty Soldiers to earn a degree while serving. Contact an ROTC recruiter to help you choose the right one for you.
Green To Gold Scholarship
This option is for you if you want to leave active duty to go to college. You’ll receive full tuition or room and board, flat-rate book payment, and a monthly stipend. This scholarship is awarded for two to four years, depending on how many years of college you’ve already completed. You can use it toward your first bachelor’s degree or first graduate degree.
Green To Gold Active-Duty Option
If you want to stay on active duty and attend college for your first bachelor’s or graduate degree, this option is for you. You’ll use a combination of the G.I. Bill and other Army education benefits to help pay for school.
Army Rotc Green To Gold Division Commander’s Hip Pocket Scholarship
This is a selective program to complete your bachelor’s degree and earn a commission as an Army Officer through the ROTC Scholarship program. Your chain of command can recommend you if you have a record of outstanding service and exhibit potential for the program.
Green To Gold Non-Scholarship
This option is for you if you want to leave active duty to go to college. You’ll receive a monthly stipend while you’re in school and commission as an Army Officer when you earn your degree. You can work with your local leadership to see if this option is available to you.
Top training as an ROTC Cadet
As a Soldier enrolled in Green to Gold, you’ll gain more than financial perks. You’ll also experience the benefits of being in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), including:
- One of the nation’s top leadership programs
- One-of-a-kind training and practical experience
- Mentorship by professors of Military Science at your school
- Sense of responsibility and camaraderie
Green To Gold Requirements
Each Green to Gold program option has specific requirements, but all active-duty enlisted Soldier applicants must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Earn an ASVAB GT score of 110 or greater
- Serve a minimum of two years active duty, as well as three months of active duty for every one month of specialized training
- Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) within the last six months
- Have a cumulative High School or College GPA of 2.5.
- Obtain a letter of acceptance to their school of choice offering Army ROTC
- Obtain a letter of acceptance from that school’s Army ROTC Battalion
Common Questions
How long after joining the Army as an enlisted Soldier can I apply to the Green to Gold program?
You must serve a minimum of two years active duty, as well as three months of active duty for every one month of specialized training before applying for Green to Gold.
Can I apply to Green to Gold if I already have some college credit?
Yes. A high school diploma is the minimum education requirement but there are Green to Gold scholarship options that allow any previous college credits to be evaluated and accepted by your college of choice.
What is the difference between the Warrant Officer career path for enlisted Soldiers and Green to Gold?
Enlisted Soldiers can pursue Warrant Officer jobs, developing skilled expertise and providing guidance about their specialties to commissioned Officers, who have a higher rank and different requirements and responsibilities.
How selective is Green to Gold?
Like all paths to commission as an Officer in the Army, Green to Gold is competitive and the standards are high. Some Green to Gold options select more enlisted Soldiers than others each year. Talk to an ROTC recruiter about which option matches your goals and experience.
How can current enlisted Soldiers apply for Green to Gold?
If you’re an active-duty enlisted Soldier interested in applying for a Green to Gold program, talk to your commanding Officer and visit the Cadet Command Green to Gold site to start your application.
Don’t worry, there’s no obligation to join if you reach out.
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
What is the time commitment for part-time service?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?
How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
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Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can I join ROTC at my age
Can I join as an Officer?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out, .
We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.
Questions you may have right now
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you
- How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?
Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- What are the ways to serve part-time?
You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- How do I become a health care provider in the Army?
You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.
- What types of medical careers are available in the Army?
There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- What are the benefits of joining ROTC?
ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.
- How do I prepare to join ROTC?
When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.
- Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?
Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.