How does a pursuit for a doctorate and ROTC work?

Well, my fellow Fluthers. I am in the process of choosing colleges and degrees. I am fairly certain in my career choice. I want to become a secondary/postsecondary education teacher in the social sciences (specifically in history, politics, and government). But if I’m going for teaching I’m going full blown, all out. I wish to pursue a PhD.

However both my parents are teachers, and I am one of four children. To say in the least the income is limited. I have been looking into all the scholarships, of course, and now the ROTC.

From my basic understanding, the maximum years for the program is four years. There is a possible extension for Masters and Doctorate, but only in the medical field. So, the teaching would have to work differently.

A family friend’s daughter is going through ROTC now. Her situation is similar to mine. I was told that she will go through the program for four years, and then pay for her Doctorate on her own money. Now, as far as I can tell, this is what happens. The commitment to the military is the same in this path: four years active duty, four years reserves. Its only 8 years still because she payed for her post ROTC on her own. But, instead of leaving college as a Second Lieutenant, she leaves as a Captain.

Can any of you out there confirm this? If not, could you explain what is different? Many thanks in advance.