Concerned about the ROTC scholarship process with this year's government shutdown? Here’s the truth. ROTC programs are strained but operational. Cadre are backfilling furloughed civilian roles, Army slid its October board about two weeks, Navy is pushing candidates to later boards, and Air Force is largely on schedule with fewer boards. If you’re applying, you need facts, not panic. What you’ll learn• How the shutdown is actually impacting day-to-day ROTC units• Why Army’s October board moved and what that means for January• How Navy handles monthly boards and why you might hear later• Why Air Force timelines look steadier and where the risks still are• Practical steps to protect your Early Action and Early Decision plans