What is Army ROTC?
Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) is one of the smartest college courses you can take. It offers opportunities and challenges that can put you on the fast track to success in life. You'll develop the confidence, self-esteem, motivation and leadership skills you'll need regardless of your career plans. The qualities that ROTC training instills will be vital to a productive and rewarding future.
ROTC is an elective course that provides a combination of academics and important hands-on training. You'll be offered physical and mental challenges geared to help you succeed in college and beyond. You will learn teamwork and be given responsibilities like teaching younger cadets the same skills you have learned. In addition to our on-campus training, we offer instruction in adventure training like mountaineering, rappelling, and orienteering.
For its many benefits, Army ROTC requires only a few hours a week. So it won't interfere with your required college curriculum or social life. In fact, you'll find ROTC a great place to form lasting friendships.
If you want to build a solid, well rounded future, take a closer look at Army ROTC.
The Curriculum
The Four Year Program
The four-year Army ROTC program is divided into two parts called the basic course and the advanced course.
The basic course is usually taken during the first two years of college and is offered with no military obligation on your part. It covers subjects such as leadership development, military history, time management, college survival study skills, and the customs and traditions of the service.
Students who demonstrate the potential to become Army officers and who meet the physical and scholastic standards are eligible to enroll in the advanced course.
In these junior and senior level classes, you receive instruction in management, tactics, ethics, professionalism, and further leadership development skills. This includes six weeks of paid training during the summer between the junior and senior years.
The Two Year Program
This special program is for junior and community college graduates or students who did not take Army ROTC during their first two years of college. To enter the two- year program, a student first participates in five weeks of basic leadership instruction at the Leader’s Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This usually takes place during the summer between the sophomore and junior years. Students are paid for attending and have the opportunity to compete for two-year scholarships upon completion. After successfully completing LTC, six free elective credits are awarded toward an ISU degree, and students who meet all the necessary requirements are enrolled in the advanced course.
For more information on LTC, click here.
Financial Assistance
Army ROTC offers four, three, and two-year scholarships. These scholarships pay for all of your tuition and classroom fees, as well as a $1,200 per year flat rate for textbooks and supplies. Each scholarship also includes a yearly living allowance ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 (depending on your Military Science class) for every year the scholarship is in effect.
Special scholarship consideration is given to students pursuing degrees in engineering, nursing, the physical sciences and other technical skills currently in demand by the Army.
Non-scholarship cadets in the advanced course also receive a stipend of $4,500 for the MS III year and $5,000 for the MS IV year, as well as pay for attending the six week advanced camp. You may even qualify to join the Army Reserve or National Guard while enrolled in Army ROTC and receive additional pay as an officer trainee.
Veterans
If you're a veteran, you may use your prior military experience as credit for advanced placement. You'll also be able to take full advantage of all the veteran's benefits you've accrued in addition to the financial aid you'll receive from Army ROTC.
The Margin of Difference
Army ROTC training establishes an essential difference between ROTC and other college graduates. Army ROTC cadets are taught to be leaders and are provided hands-on experience in managing financial, physical and human resources. They often possess a higher 1evel of self-confidence and superior decision-making abilities. Employers value these leadership qualities and prefer them in the people they hire. That's why ROTC students frequently begin their civilian careers at a higher level of responsibility than other college graduates and often go on to even higher levels of success.
In Short:
Where can ROTC take me?
· Active Duty Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant
· Reserve Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant
· National Guard Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant
· Minor in Leadership Studies
What do you do in ISU ROTC?
· Attend classes 1-3 times per week
· Attend physical training 1-3 times per week
· Help with projects (Football Games, Veteran's
Day Parade, Blood Drive, Community Services)
· Attend Lab (4 hours) once every two weeks
· Go to summer camp
What do you study in ISU ROTC?
· Basic Leadership Skills
· Basic Soldier Skills (navigation, riflery, military orientation)
· Confidence, Team Building
· Army History and Traditions
· How to Function Under Stress