Offers and Discounts for ROTC and OCS/OTS Members

The following are eligible to apply:

• Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) members within 12 months of commissioning or up to 12 months after commissioning;
• Officer Candidate School (OCS), Officer Training School (OTS), and Navy Select Limited Duty Officer (LDO) members within 4 months of commissioning or within 12 months after commissioning; and 
• Appointed Warrant Officer (WO-1) within 4 months of appointment or within 12 months of appointment.

Servicemembers in all branches of armed forces are eligible for membership, including ROTC, Officer Candidate, Active Duty and Reservist. Join now to become a member. 

Use one of the following options to apply:

• Over the phone at 1-888-842-6328
• In person at one of our branches
• Online via our document portal. Fill out an application and upload it into our Document Upload Portal using Career Kickoff Documents as the file type. Also include your Proof of Enrollment (for ROTC: Duty Status Verification Form); for OCT/OTC: signed letter from command). You’ll receive a confirmation email. 

You’ll need to provide:

• Program Type (ROTC or OTS/OTC)
• Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy)
• Graduation Date
• Requested Loan Amount (up to $25,000)
• Phone Number 
• Email
• Proof of Enrollment 
  • ROTC: Duty Status Verification Form
  • OCS/OTS: Signed Letter from command
  • Navy Select Limited Duty Officer: Signed Letter from command
  • Warrant Officer: Signed Letter from command

Bring your Proof of Enrollment to your local branch or submit it online via our Document Upload Portal by following these steps:

• Sign in
• Choose Proof of Enrollment
• Select "Career Kickoff Documents" as the file type
• Click Submit

Yes, you must have direct deposit to your Navy Federal checking account set up for your military pay. This must be maintained throughout the life of the loan.

We'll try to provide you a decision within 24 hours. If you provided your email address during the application process, we'll send you a follow-up email with more details.

Yes. Email notifications are sent with directions on how to electronically sign your Promissory Note.

Your funds will be deposited into either your Navy Federal savings or checking account.

You won't have to make your first payment until 90 days after you get commissioned.

The money can be used for expenses such as buying uniforms, consolidating high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans, etc.), paying off transition expenses or buying a car. 

No, you will not need a co-applicant to apply.

Yes, the application is subject to credit approval.

Free Active Duty Checking is designed for Active Duty and retired military personnel and reservists with a Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) direct deposit. However, if you're a member between the ages of 18 to 24 and in the ROTC or OCS programs, the Free Campus Checking account is a great option to use until you enlist.

Your DFAS direct deposit makes you eligible for Free Active Duty Checking. Your direct deposit must post to your Free Active Duty Checking account within 90 days of account opening. If military direct deposit stops for more than 90 days, the account converts to a Free EveryDay Checking account.

You’ll have early access to your pay, rebates on ATM fees (up to $240 a year), no monthly service fees and free personalized checks.

No. There's no monthly service fee associated with Free Active Duty Checking.

No. There's no minimum balance requirement to open the Free Active Duty Checking account.

A qualifying military direct deposit of net pay must post to your Free Active Duty Checking account within 90 days of account opening. If the military direct deposit stops for more than 90 days, the account simply converts to a Free EveryDay Checking account.

Yes. It's easy to change to a different checking account.