ROTC expands a student’s education by providing leadership and management experience. This training helps students develop self discipline, physical stamina, and poise—qualities basic to success in any worthwhile career. They earn commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army (which includes the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve) while earning their college degrees. Through ROTC, the Army gains officers with diverse educational backgrounds and contemporary ideas. At the same time, ROTC graduates have the chance to use their training in positions of leadership, and they enable the Army to relate to the thoughts and feelings of our ever-changing society. At present, over 80 percent of all second lieutenants for the U.S. Army come from ROTC programs nationwide.

Students who enroll in the advanced ROTC program are paid a subsistence allowance of $250 a month for 10 months of each school year, and half of a second lieutenant’s pay plus lodging, meals, and travel cost for five weeks of the ROTC National Advanced Leadership Course (NALC). Application is made through the Department of Military Science. Lower-division (freshman and sophomore level) courses are open to all students and incur no military obligation. A minor in Military Science is available in consultation with the academic major advisor and the Military Science

The four-year Army ROTC program is divided into two parts: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course.

The Basic Course is usually taken during the freshman and sophomore years. No military commitment is incurred during this time. After completing the Basic Course, students who have demonstrated officer potential and meet physical and scholastic standards are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Course. The Advanced Course is normally taken during the junior and senior years of college. MILSC 1510, MILSC 1520, MILSC 2610, and MILSC 2620.

Advanced Course Cadets attend a five week ROTC National Advanced Leadership Course (NALC) (MILSC 3740) during the summer between their MS III and MS VI (junior and senior) years. In this course students put into practice the leadership and tactical skills they have acquired in the classroom. Cadets are paid for course attendance. MILSC 3710, MILSC 3720, MILSC 4810, and MILSC 4820.

All students in the Advanced Course receive uniforms, pay for the National Advanced Leadership Course (NALC), and a living allowance of up to $2,500 each school year.

Before entering the Advanced Course, an individual signs a contract that certifies an understanding of the service obligation. This obligation may be fulfilled in a variety of ways depending on the individual’s personal preference and the needs of the Army at the time of commissioning.

Scholarship graduates incur an eight-year obligation and are required to serve one of the following obligations: two years on active duty and four years in an Army Reserve or National Guard unit then two years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR); or three years on active duty and five years in the IRR; or four years on active duty and four years in the IRR; or eight years in Army Reserve or National Guard unit.

Nonscholarship graduates are required to serve one of the following obligations: two years on active duty and six years in the IRR; or three years on active duty and five years in the IRR; or four years on active duty and four years in the IRR; or six years in an Army Reserve or National Guard unit and two years in the IRR; or eight years in the IRR.

All commissionees incur a service obligation of eight years with service being either full time active duty or part time in the reserves. The mix of active and reserve duty is determined by the needs of the Army, the cadets performance and the type of contract the cadet signed (scholarship or nonscholarship, guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty or participation in the Simultaneous Membership Program of the Army Reserve/National Guard).

The two-year program permits students who attended a junior college, transfer students, or those who did not take Military Science Basic Courses during their first two years of school, and students entering a two-year post graduate course of study to enter the ROTC Advance Course. Students can take advantage of this opportunity by successfully completing a paid five-week ROTC Leaders Training Course (MILSC 2640), usually after their sophomore year, and enrolling in the ROTC Advanced Course, normally in their junior year. Except for this camp, the requirements for and obligations incurred in the two- and four-year programs are the same.