Army ROTC – Military Science
Military Science
The purpose of military science and Army ROTC is to commission the future officer leadership of the U.S. Army. Those who successfully complete the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program normally earn commissions as lieutenants in the United States Army and go on to serve in either the Active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
Army ROTC
ROTC may be completed in several different ways as outlined below.
Four-Year Option
Military science is traditionally offered as a four-year option. It is best to start as a freshman, but special arrangements can be made for those who start as sophomores. The first two years of military science are voluntary (without service obligation) and designed to give students a perspective on their leadership ability and what the Army can offer them. Students who decide to continue in ROTC and pursue a commission sign an agreement with the Department of the Army to accept a commission upon completion of the last two years of military science. In return, the Army agrees to provide a subsistence allowance (up to $5,000 per year) and to provide all necessary uniforms.
Two-Year Option
This option is designed to provide greater flexibility in meeting the needs of students desiring commissions in the U.S. Army. SIUE students who do not participate in the four-year option or are community college transfer students are eligible for enrollment. Basic prerequisites for entering the two-year option are:
- good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA) and passage of an Army medical examination.
- two academic years of study remaining (undergraduate or graduate). If students are undergraduates, they must have junior status or at least 54 credit hours.
Simultaneous Membership
Students who qualify for the simultaneous membership program (members of the Army Reserve or National Guard) can complete the military science program in two years and earn up to $17,000 more at the same time. Upon graduation, a student may request to stay in the reserve component or select active duty.
Veterans
Veterans of any of the armed forces who are academically aligned may qualify for advanced placement and should contact the Military Science Department for details.
ROTC Scholarships
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps has several scholarship options that pay tuition, fees, and books, and provide up to $500 monthly stipend for the academic year. These scholarships cover periods of four years, three years, and in some circumstances, two years.
High school juniors and seniors should apply for the 4-year scholarships no later than November of their senior year. Applications are available at armyrotc.com. SIUE freshmen should apply in January for the three-year scholarship. Special consideration for scholarships is given to students in engineering, nursing, business, or physical sciences. Scholarship students normally incur a four-year active duty obligation. They may request reserve duty to serve with the Army National Guard or Army Reserve, or may initially compete for scholarships that guarantee Army Reserve or Army Guard duty.
In addition, 40 Illinois State Army ROTC scholarships are available annually. These scholarships pay for tuition on a semester basis and are renewable. Please contact the Military Science Department for more details.
Qualifications
All students who desire to enter the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps must be United States citizens, be in good physical condition, and have high moral character. Students must be at least 17 years old to enroll and not over 34 when they receive their commission.
Additional qualifications to be admitted into the advanced course include an academic average of C or better and passage of an Army medical examination.
Academic Preparation
The SIUE Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps academic preparation consists of three parts:
- earning a degree in the student’s chosen field of academic study/major; and
- completing 22 semester hours (four-year option) or 12 semester hours (two-year option) of the military science curriculum; and
- completing professional military education requirements. The courses in military science are university-level academic courses. The curriculum consists of classroom instruction and a leadership laboratory in which students receive practical leadership experience.
Leadership Laboratory
Leadership laboratory is required of all students enrolled in military science classes.
Laboratories are held two hours each week unless otherwise designated. In addition, students attend one mandatory off-campus field training exercise each semester, usually on a weekend.
Leadership laboratory develops individual military skills and leadership ability through participation in small unit tactics, survival training, rappelling, and responsibilities within the Cadet Corps organization.
Extracurricular Activities
Sponsored by Army ROTC
Army ROTC students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. These activities include the Ranger Challenge Team, Marksmanship Team, Tactics Club (war-gaming), Color Guard, Cadet Club and intramural sports. Students not enrolled in ROTC may participate in these activities with the permission of the professor of military science.
Graduate Study
The Army recognizes the importance of a graduate degree for its personnel. Several programs are available to help ROTC graduates obtain an advanced degree. The Army sends selected second lieutenants immediately to graduate school (with full pay and allowances) to pursue advanced degrees in select disciplines. Other officers may request postponement of active duty for two years to continue graduate study; or be awarded guaranteed graduate schooling at a later time in their military service. Students who are accepted into medical school may take up to four years to complete their studies. Numerous opportunities exist for an officer to complete a master’s degree in service and receive financial assistance from the Army. Educational assistance opportunities in the Army Guard and Army Reserve vary by state.
Select graduate students at SIUE also are eligible for enrollment in the ROTC two-year program.
