While many students enter the program with definite military career ambitions, others are drawn more by the economic benefits, a trend that military officials say does not concern them.

Scholarships-which are currently given to more than 80 percent of all ROTC cadets at MIT-cover four years worth of tuition, a $100,000 value. (The Navy currently gives awards to all its ROTC cadets at MIT.)

In return, cadets are expected to attend about five hours of class at MIT each week, undergo regular physical trainings, and serve an average of four years after graduation at an unrestricted military post.

ROTC officials say the high scholarship rate is a function of that expensive tuitions at local schools.

"That's what 70 to 80 percent of the freshmen say, and it's no surprise," Rutley says. "I mean, $100,000, a stipend and money for books-that's pretty attractive. Especially at expensive schools like Harvard and MIT."

For many students the economic motivation may take the front seat.

"I didn't want to go into the Air Force and the money was not a good enough incentive," says John B. Cearley '99, who left the program before his sophomore year.

Although Army ROTC participant Porter says he "can't imagine anyone would join ROTC just to pay for school," ROTC recognizes the drawing power of its scholarships. In an effort to persuade students to join, ROTC rules allow students to leave the program after one year without forfeiting that year's scholarship money.

Rolan S. Hernandez '99 says he was not the biggest fan of the Air Force when he joined two years ago in an effort to pay for college.

"Freshman year I wasn't too psyched about it, I just wasn't sure if I wanted to commit to the discipline," says Hernandez, who describes himself as not being "by nature a structured person."

But gradually Hernandez, whose sister participated in ROTC at Notre Dame, warmed to the program and he now has his eye set on an exciting military job after graduation.

"I'm shooting for a pilot slot," he says.

And Dunn, the Air Force cadet, is one of few students who signed up for ROTC without receiving a scholarship.

"I joined ROTC because I wanted to fly," he explains.

Academic Inflexibility