Military Science Program

Administrative Office

Underhill Building, Room 21

Phone: (415) 422-6405

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Donaldson, Chair, Professor

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) is a program that can enhance your education by providing unique leadership training and management experience. It helps you develop the qualities necessary for success in either a military or civilian career. Students are given valuable opportunities to build for the future by earning a college degree and an Army Officer's commission at the same time.

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 physical, financial, and human resources. They often possess a higher level of self-confidence than those who have not had the training and developed superior decision-making abilities. Employers value these leadership qualities 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.

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 such subjects as leadership development, basic military skills, and the customs and traditions of the service.

Students who demonstrate the potential to become Army officers and who meet the physical and academic standards are eligible to enroll in the advanced course. Here you receive instruction in management, tactics, professionalism, ethics and further leadership development skills. The advanced course includes six weeks of paid training the summer between your junior and senior years at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).

There is also a special program for community college graduates, or students who did not take Army ROTC during the first two years of college. To enter the two-year program, a student first participates in six weeks of basic leadership instruction at the Leaders Training Course (LTC). This usually takes place the summer between the sophomore and junior years. Students are paid for attending and have the oportunity to compete for two-year scholarships. After successfully completing LTC, students who meet all the necessary requirements are enrolled in the advanced course.

Scholarship Program

Army ROTC offers four-, three- and two-year scholarships. Currently, these scholarships pay $31,180 in tuition costs as well as a flat rate of $950 annually for textbooks and supplies. Each scholarship also includes a stipend of $300 to $500 per month for ten months per year, each year the scholarship is in effect. Additionally, USF provides a room and board grant to ROTC four-year, three-year advance designee, and two-year scholarship students.

Contracted non-scholarship cadets in the advanced course also receive an allowance of $450 (junior year) to $500 (senior year) per month as well as pay for attending the six-week National Advanced Leaderhsip 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 may use your military experience as credit for advanced placement. You'll 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.

Commissioning Program

The standard commissioning program consists of an eight-semester course of study. The student completes four semesters of lower-division courses (12 units):MILS - 101, MILS - 102, MILS - 201, MILS - 202 , acquiring the basic academic and leadership skills necessary for success at the upper-division level.

Upon satisfactory completion of the lower-division requirements, or meeting requirements for the basic course, the student will enter the upper-division program, completing four semesters of upper-division course work (12 units):MILS - 301, MILS - 302, MILS - 401, MILS - 402 plus LDAC

Following successful completion of upper-division requirements, the student will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. Students who have at least four semesters of undergraduate or graduate work remaining may enter the upper-division program by receiving advanced placement credit for prior honorable military service in any active or reserve component of the Armed Forces, or by successful completion of LTC.

Professional Military Education Requirements

Prior to receiving a commission, the Military Science student must obtain the baccalaureate degree and complete a minimum of one course in each of three Professional Military Education (PME) areas. Other courses may be substituted for the listed courses on a case-by-case basis upon approval of the Professor of Military Science. Contact the Enrollment Officer for a current list of PME requirements.

Post-commissioning Service Obligation

When students enter the upper-division program as contracted cadets they agree to complete the ROTC program and to accept a commission as an officer, followed by assignment to the active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. The service obligation can be satisfied by a combination of active duty, reserve duty (generally one weekend per month, with an annual training period of two weeks), and individual ready reserve (non-drilling) status. Programs are available which guarantee reserve duty while the student pursues a civilian career. Service obligations vary with the student's status.

Leadership Laboratory

Each student enrolled as a cadet participates in leadership training. This weekly leadership laboratory emphasizes the application of leadership theory and principles in a variety of on- and off-campus activities, while reinforcing basic military skills instruction.

Co-curricular Activities

A variety of co-curricular activities are available to students enrolled as cadets. These activities provide students with additional leadership experience and public service.

Army ROTC Color Guard and Drill Team

Students plan, organize, and execute major social functions and public service activities while building camaraderie within the organization. Students also participate in precision marching and intricate drills with rifles and colors (national and organizational flags). This organization performs at major University functions and sporting events (to include 49er and Giants games) as well as parades and drill competitions throughout the Bay Area.

Ranger Challenge Team

Students undergo intensive military skills training with emphasis on teamwork, tactical proficiency, physical stamina, and mental toughness. Cadets also have the opportunity to compete for positions on the Ranger Challenge Team, participating in a challenging intercollegiate military skills competition with teams representing universities from Arizona, Nevada, Utah, as well as from all over California.

Additional Training Opportunities for contracted cadets include Airborne (Basic Parachutist) Qualification training, Air Assault (Helicopter movement and assault) Qualification training, Mountain Warfare (military mountaineering) Qualification training, Winter Warfare (cold weather operations) Qualification training, United Kingdom Officer Training Corps Exchange Program (selected cadets go to Cambridge or London officer training program during the summer), Cadet Troop Leadership Training Program (cadets are assigned to regular Army units as officers to get first hand experience following LDAC), Nurse Summer Training program (nursing cadets are assigned to Army hospitals and Medical Centers to work under the supervision of a registered nurse and gain first hand experinece following LDAC).