Patrick Schachle, Chair

Overview

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a coeducational program dedicated to developing college-educated men and women to serve in challenging positions of leadership, responsibility, and varied managerial positions both as officers in the U.S. Army and civilians in corporate America.

Army ROTC requires from two to four years to complete, depending on student qualifications. This time is normally divided into a two-year, no-obligation basic program, composed of freshman and sophomore students; and a two-year contractual advanced program, for juniors and seniors. Students with prior military service, JROTC, or National Guard/Reserve service may qualify for direct placement in the advanced program. At the beginning of their junior year, students with two years remaining before graduation may also qualify for the advanced program by attending Leadership Training Course (LTC), a four-week course offered during the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. All students participate in a regular program of physical fitness and field training.

The Scholarship Program

The Army ROTC Scholarship Program awards four-, three-, and two-year scholarships to eligible students on a competitive basis. The Department of Military Science accepts applications for three-year and two-year ROTC scholarships year-round. Nursing students who have qualified for placement in the advanced course may also apply for two-year scholarships. Students do not have to be enrolled in ROTC to apply for three-year and two-year scholarships.

The scholarship amount is applied to the cost of tuition. An additional amount of $900 is awarded for books and supplies. The students also receive a tiered allowance of $300, $350, $450, or $500 per month for up to 10 months of each school year depending on their academic status, i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. All students receive $700 while attending the five-week Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Washington, after their junior year.

Leadership Training Course (LTC) Two-Year Program

LTC is for students who missed the first and second years of ROTC. LTC is attended during the summer between the sophomore and junior years of college for four weeks at Fort Knox, Ky. The purpose of LTC is to provide instruction in basic leadership and technical skills that will prepare you for your junior and senior years of ROTC. During this camp, you have the opportunity to compete for a two-year scholarship. All travel expenses are paid and you are paid $700 while attending camp. Students attending this camp incur no military obligation.

Cadet Professional Development Training

Selected cadets may attend Air Assault School, Airborne School, Mountain Warfare School, Northern Warfare School, and/or Scuba School. All training is voluntary and conducted at Army posts throughout the United States during either summer or winter recesses.

Cadet Troop Leader Training

Selected cadets are sent to various Army units in the United States and overseas to develop leadership experience prior to the beginning of their senior year. Cadets are paid and receive all privileges and status of Army officers.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

The Simultaneous Membership Program is a program in which the individual is both a member of the Army National Guard (ARNG) or the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and the Army ROTC. Students receive entitlements from both the ARNG or USAR and the ROTC.

This is a required program for cadets who are in the ARNG or USAR and are in the advanced course. When cadets enter the SMP, they become officer trainees in their guard or reserve unit and are paid as sergeants (E-5), while performing duties commensurate with the grade of second lieutenant.

Professional Military Education Program

The Army ROTC Professional Military Education (PME) program exists to enhance the career development and performance of cadets as future Army officers. The PME guidelines for Army ROTC cadets are as follows:

1. All cadets must successfully complete a course in American military history prior to commissioning.
2. All cadets are encouraged to take a course from each of the following areas prior to commissioning: human behavior, math reasoning, management, and national security studies.

Students will meet with the professor of military science/class advisor before selecting these courses.

Program and Courses