What is Army ROTC?

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) prepares eligible students upon graduation to receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve or National Guard.

ROTC enhances a student's education by providing extensive leadership and management opportunities. This training helps students develop self-discipline, physical stamina and poise - traits basic to build success in any career.

Through ROTC, the Army gains officers with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences. In addition, ROTC graduates have the opportunity to use their ideas and experience in leadership positions, enabling the Army to relate to the thoughts and feelings of our ever-changing society.

For instance, if you are a nursing major interested in the ROTC experience, you can begin your professional career as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Army nurses are valued members of a health care team that includes more than 14,500 members in 40 hospitals around the world.

Do you have to join the Army to take ROTC?

Absolutely not! Students can sign up for either the freshman year or sophomore year ROTC courses without military obligation, unless awarded an ROTC scholarship. The ROTC curriculum is divided into the basic courses (freshman and sophomore years) and the advanced courses (junior and senior years).

ROTC is not a major field of study; however, military science and leadership is offered as a minor. The military science courses that are taken with a student's normal academic workload do apply as elective credit that may be applied toward graduation requirements. Your academic advisor will know exactly how many hours of military science you can apply toward graduation.

Unless you are an ROTC scholarship recipient, you are not under any obligation to the Army in the basic course, only upon entry to the advanced course. Upon completion of the advanced course, you will receive a commission as a second lieutenant. Opportunities are available to serve on full-time active duty, part-time Reserve Component/National Guard duty or a combination of the two.