Alright, well, you would normally be subjected to bootcamp, but the way ROTC works is that during the summer between your Spring and Fall Semesters you will attend something similar to OCS (Officer Candidate School) which is basically a bootcamp for Higher-ranked positions. In these trainings you WILL be ordered to do things that you may not want to do, you WILL face all sorts of ridicule for just about anything and everything, you WILL face physical and mental challenges, but you also WILL learn how to respect others and live in the secular world, you WILL find that what you face in bootcamp is very similar to things you WILL encounter in many work environments. Air Force bootcamp is considered to be the easiest, but don't let that fool you because it still isn't easy. By entering any military branch, you will be exposed to many things, both good and bad. If your uncomfortable around profane/explicit language, the military may not be the right thing.
However, the things you do in the military and the effort you put into it is almost always rewarded. If you show initiative, good character, and work hard, you WILL be recognized by your superiors (Via awards, commendations, verbal feedback, and sometimes ribbons >the colorful rows of material that you see on the front of military uniforms< as well as quicker promotions). There are great benefits to the military (Dental, medical, reliable pay, chances to move up, experience for jobs after the military). But those come with the willingness to serve your country and to do what is asked of you.
I am currently in the process of entering the U.S. Coast Guard and I have multiple family members in the Air Force. They went into the military as enlisted (Just like what I'm going to do), which is going into the military without a degree. In your case however, you will be going in with a 4 year degree and will be trained to lead/supervise the enlisted personnel. The benefit to ROTC is that they will prepare you before they send you training and will be able to tell you what you need to know before you go. Believe it or not, they WANT you to succeed. You will also get to know/meet several other people who are doing the same thing you are; except that you will have the benefit of learning from other people who have done more than you (Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) who are also in the ROTC program. It can make college easier (As well as the Air Force training). Chances are, you will go to training with people you know, and that makes things a little easier.
I suggest that you try and meet someone who is involved in the ROTC program on the campus you wish to attend (Preferably a student, not a Recruiter) and they will give you the pros and cons (Usually you will see them wearing their uniforms on certain days). After you hear about their experience, then you should talk to a campus ROTC representative and hear their version of the pros and cons. Remember, one person's experience isn't always how EVERYONE will experience the ROTC, so if the student you talk to is completely negative about their experience, try another student and see if they've experienced better. Also, mention the negative experience to the ROTC Representative and see how they respond because they may be able to explain why the person had a bad experience. Sometimes the job you pick will just stink and the experience will be bad, but many times it's your mentality.
If you want to go into the ROTC just to pay for college, I have a feeling you won't like it. The military isn't for everyone, and if it's not something you really want to do, it will be hard for you to maintain a positive attitude during the training. Also, remember that by joining the military, you are signing a contract and making a commitment, and, if you try to back out of that commitment, you may get a "dishonorable discharge" which goes on your employment record. That can affect your ability to get other jobs, and the military may also want you to pay your education back. Just pray about it, see if God gives you any insight about the decision, and make sure you actually want to join the military. The military will be good or bad for you depending on whether or not you WANT to join.
-C_S
