The United States Army ROTC is a unique college elective. It takes no more of your time than most other college courses. The credits received from ROTC classes go toward your diploma. When you graduate, you will receive a diploma and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. An ROTC commission will allow you to serve on Active Duty, in the Reserve, or in the National Guard.

ROTC training goes beyond the typical college classroom. As a Cadet, you will lead your classmates on tactical "missions" and take part in outdoor adventure training designed to improve your ability to solve problems under stress.

You will learn skills you would expect to find in an Army officer, including how to motivate co-workers, cope with the unexpected, and organize large, complex tasks. But you will also learn skills in demand today in the civilian and business world, such as tact, teamwork, and effective communications. You will learn from experienced Army officers and non-commissioned officers and, in time, help pass on what you've learned to newer students as well.

Traditionally, Army ROTC is a four-year program. The first two years comprise the Basic Course. This includes classroom studies in such subjects as military history, leadership development, and national defense. You can enroll in the program for the first two years without incurring any future military obligation (if you don't have an ROTC scholarship).

After you've successfully completed the Basic Course, you can compete to gain admission into the Advanced Course. It's during this part of the program that you will get to put your newfound management skills to the test. Of course, you will also continue to get instruction in tactics, ethics, and professionalism.

As a Cadet in the Advanced Course, you will spend the summer between your junior and senior years attending the Cadet Summer Training (CST) Advance Camp, located at Fort Knox, KY. At the Advance Camp, you will be asked to handle the complex tasks of a unit leader. You may have to lead your group across difficult terrain or build a bridge across a river. You may have to solve difficult personnel problems, or be in charge of expensive military equipment. It is all meant to teach you how to think quickly when the pressure is on and how to motivate your team.

Then, as a Cadet in the Advanced Course, your management skills will continue to be sharpened. You will teach new ROTC students what you've learned. And when you graduate from college, you're ready to be a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.

The Army ROTC Program enhances your college experience by providing training that will make you motivated, confident, and ready to lead. ROTC instruction is based on training the future leaders of the Army and the nation. You will have practical instruction in such areas as organizational leadership, communication, and time management. The skills you learn will be ones that benefit you for your entire life, whether you are a career military officer or a business executive.

The Army ROTC Program offers two-, three-,  and four-year scholarships. The ROTC scholarship covers tuition, mandatory fees, and an annual book allowance.

All Cadets that sign a commitment contract with the Army also receive a monthly stipend of $420 (updated) a month. Additionally, some Cadets will earn a scholarship for either full tuition OR room and board. All Cadets on CB scholarship receive a book allowance of $600 per semester ($1,200 per year); MHSNO BOR Scholarship - $500 a year.

ROTC Cadets are covered by the Veterans Administration (VA) for serious injuries (permanent in nature) or Workman's Compensation for less serious injuries (temporary in nature) when participating in ROTC activities. This also includes Cadets in the Basic Course.

ROTC Cadets, upon commissioning, are appointed as Second Lieutenants in the Army. During the first year of service, a Second Lieutenant will be paid approximately $55,000, including a tax-free housing allowance (CY 2020). This salary goes up steadily with both increases in rank and time in service. Over a four-year period (the active duty commitment for scholarship Cadets), an officer will earn approximately $250,000.

In addition to the Army’s combat branches, such as Armor, Infantry, Artillery, and Aviation, the Army has just about every career field you would find in the civilian world, including doctors, dentists, hospital administrators, lawyers, intelligence specialists, linguists, and even veterinarians. No matter what the branch, as an Army officer you are a leader of people and a manager of resources. While many of your friends are still job hunting, straight out of college you will be placed in charge of a platoon of up to 50 American soldiers, ranging from 18 to 40 years old. You will be responsible for their health, training, and welfare program, as well as safeguarding and maintaining millions of dollars of high-tech equipment found in today's Army. This is why junior officers who decide to leave the military are so sought after by corporate America. Corporate CEOs know these individuals have a proven track record. They realize that as a result of their training and experience, military officers know how to motivate people and solve problems. Most of all, they have demonstrated the values -- duty, honor, loyalty, integrity, commitment, selfless service, and respect -- values that employers are looking for in their junior executives.

Enrollment in the ROTC Program is traditionally a four-year program, in which an incoming freshman enrolls during the first semester in college. However, enrollment can still be achieved up through the end of the second year in college.

Basic Course ROTC credit and Advanced Course enrollment can be achieved in a few different ways:

• Sophomores can accelerate the program by completing the Basic Course in one year (MSL 101/201 and MSL 102/202).
• Sophomores with Junior ROTC from High School can meet the requirements of the first year of the Basic Course.
• Sophomores can attend the Cadet Basic Camp Course during the summer preceding their junior year to meet the requirements.
• Veterans, Army National Guardsmen, and U.S. Army Reservists can enroll directly into the Advanced Course at the start of their junior year, with PMS approval.

Not at all. You can attend the ROTC Cadet Basic Camp Course in the summer between your sophomore and junior years. This is a four-week Summer Training Camp at Fort Knox, KY, that covers material and information learned in the introductory ROTC courses. After graduating from this course you are eligible to enroll in MSL 301.

If you are already a senior, you can either take ROTC during graduate school, or you can attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). To attend OCS, contact the local Army recruiting station, at (671) 477-7330 or go to www.goarmy.com.

The Army encourages Cadets to participate in study abroad programs for one semester. The best time to participate in a study abroad is during the sophomore year.

Freshmen and sophomores attend class two hours per week. Juniors and seniors attend class for two to three hours per week. All Cadets attend four physical training sessions of one hour each per week. All Cadets also attend a 2.5-hour leadership lab each week. Freshman and sophomores average six hours of ROTC a week. Junior Cadets average eight hours per week. Senior Cadets plan, coordinate, and execute the training for the physical training and the leadership labs, they average anywhere from three to 12 hours of ROTC a week. Each semester the Battalion will conduct one weekend field exercise lasting about 48 to 72 hours.

Cadets do not incur an obligation to the U.S. Army until they sign a contract. Freshmen and sophomores are not required to sign contracts and can participate without obligation unless they receive and accept a scholarship. When Cadets reach the junior year, they must sign a contract accepting their commitment to the U.S. Army. All contracts state that upon graduation the Cadet will accept a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and will complete an eight-year commitment. For Cadets that are going on Active Duty, the commitment will be served as four years on Active Duty and four years in a reserve status. Cadets that are going in the National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve will normally serve eight years in their ARNG or USAR unit.

Absolutely. ROTC encourages cadets to participate in other programs at the University. Consult with your cadre or Recruiting Operations Officer to ensure your participation in extracurricular activities does not affect your status as a cadet.

Military Science credits will count toward your total hours for graduation but will not take the place of any required courses. Military Science Courses are considered electives, though. ROTC courses can count as the three required credits for the wellness category of General Education requirements.

Yes, during your senior year, you can request an educational delay so that you may continue your education before going on active duty. This is a competitive program and is granted only to those students pursuing a technical or professional degree such as a law school or medical school.

No. ROTC Cadets go directly to college where they earn their degree. ROTC Cadets do not attend Basic Training. In fact, as an ROTC Cadet, you will not be in the Army. You can participate in ROTC as a non-contracted Cadet during your freshman and sophomore years without any obligation. This means if ROTC isn't for you, you can withdraw without incurring a military service obligation.

No. Students who enroll in ROTC don't join the Army. They take an ROTC class for which they receive credit. It's considered a college elective. Once a Cadet signs a contract, then they are committed to the Army.

Quite simply, leadership skills need to become a U.S. Army officer or have a successful civilian career.

Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. Leadership labs are focused on giving Cadets opportunities to practice leadership during military activities.

The ROTC program is divided into phases: The Basic Course studies Army organization and structures as well as basic leadership and Army skills. The techniques and principles of leadership and management are stressed throughout. The Advanced Course concentrates on tactical operations, training management, and military instruction, as well as advanced techniques of management, leadership, and command.

To be eligible for an ROTC scholarship you must meet the following criteria:

• Be 17 years of age within the first semester of your freshman year
• Be under the age of 31 by Dec. 31 of the year in which you will graduate from college and receive your commission
• Have an SAT score of at least 1000 or an ACT score of at least 19 (or if in college, have a cumulative GPA of 2.5)
• Be a full-time (12 credit hours) undergraduate or graduate student 
• Have demonstrated good moral character
• Meet physical qualification standards
• Meet medical qualification standards

If you are a high school senior, go to www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html to apply for a four-year high school scholarship.

If you are currently a UOG student, contact Recruiting Operations Officer John Howerton at (671) 735-2541 or jhowerton@triton.uog.edu.

If you do not want to go on active duty, you can join the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves. There are special scholarships for these cadets known as Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships.

ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need but are awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited in academic achievement and extracurricular activities, such as sports, student government, or part-time work. The three main focus areas for the Army are Scholarship, Athletics, and Leadership, or Scholar Athlete Leader (SAL).

No. Anyone can enroll in ROTC. And regardless of whether you're a scholarship winner or not, all ROTC books, uniforms, and equipment are furnished at no cost to you.

Four-year high school winner scholarships are awarded between October and March. Prospective cadets must apply by Jan. 10. There are also campus based two-year and three-year scholarships that are sometimes available throughout the year.