Military Science Program

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) is a program that enhances a normal college education by providing unique leadership training and management experience. It helps 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. Cadets often possess a higher level of self-confidence than those who have not had the training to develop superior decision-making abilities. Employers value these qualities in the people they hire. and they value the experience that the Army gives to employees who are not "fresh out of college." Graduates who participated in ROTC frequently begin their civilian careers at a higher level of responsibility than other college graduates, and often achieve even higher levels of success.

Scholarship Benefits

Army ROTC offers four-, three- and two-year scholarships. Currently, these scholarships pay full tuition costs as well as a flat rate of $1,200 annually for textbooks and supplies. Each scholarship includes a stipend of $300-$500 for ten months per year, each year the scholarship is in effect. ($300 per month for Freshmen, $350 per month for Sophomores, $450 per month for Juniors, $500 per month for Seniors). Additionally, USF provides Room and Board grants for ROTC scholarship Cadets (value of between $9,680 and $11,130).

A language incentive is also available for students wishing to study the following languages: Arabic, Persian - Farsi, Persian - Dari, Chinese - Mandarin, Pashtu, Urdu, Indonesian, Swahili, Hausa, and Korean. Any scholarship Cadet that studies and passes courses in these languages will receive an incentive of $100 per month for $100-level courses, $150 per month for 200-level course, $200 per month for 300-level courses, and $250 per month for 400-level courses.

There are different types of scholarships available: Line scholarships, Nurse Scholarships, and Language Scholarships. Students who are nursing majors apply for a Nurse Scholarship. Students who are interested in language study apply for Language Scholarships. Any other majors of study (no restrictions) fall under a Line scholarship.

National Guard and Army Reserve scholarships are also available. Included in these are the 3-yr Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship for either National Guard or Army Reserve. These scholarships are for those students who wish to serve their country, but want to work in the private sector on a regular basis.

Program Requirements

The standard commissioning program consists of eight semesters (four academic school years - not counting summers or intercession) of course study. Each semester consists of a Military Science course (one 90-minute class per week), a 2-hour Leadership Lab (one time per week), and 2 to 3 Physical training sessions per week. One 3-day Field Training Exercise is held each semester.

Post-Commissioning Service Obligation

Once Cadets graduate from the University and commission as 2nd Lieutenants, they serve in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard, depending on the scholarship contract they signed. The benefits of no college debt and having a job waiting for you following College cannot be underestimated.

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 experience following LDAC).