Military Science Department

Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)

Army ROTC is a program which combines courses in military science with summer training opportunities to transform students into U.S. Army officers. Upon successful completion of the program and graduation, Cadets are awarded a commission as a second lieutenant in either the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve.

Scholarships

Army ROTC scholarships are offered for two, three, and four years. The four-year scholarships are awarded on a worldwide competitive basis to U.S. citizens who will be entering an institution as a freshman. Military science-enrolled or non-enrolled students may compete for three-year (starts in sophomore year) and two-year (starts in junior year) scholarships. Recipients receive full tuition, academic fees, book and supply expenses (not housing and food), and a monthly stipend. Scholarship recipients incur a service commitment for active or reserve forces duty.

Financial Assistance

Books and equipment for military science courses and the ROTC program are provided free of charge to all students. All juniors and seniors in the ROTC program (advanced course) and scholarship Cadets are paid a tax-free stipend and receive other benefits.

Academic Advisement

Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Military Science for information concerning the ROTC program. The military science department is available to discuss the program with interested students at 717-477-1896.

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 (MIL 131/ MIL 132 and MIL 231/ MIL 232) is usually taken during the first two years of college and covers such subjects as customs, traditions and organizations of the service, national defense, military history, and leadership development. In addition, a variety of outside social and professional enrichment activities are available. ROTC textbooks, uniforms, and other essential materials for the basic course are furnished to students at no cost. After they have completed the basic course, students who have demonstrated the potential to become an officer and who have met the physical and scholastic standards are eligible to enroll in the advanced course. There is no military obligation incurred by students completing the basic course.

The advanced course (MIL 331/ MIL 332 and MIL 350/ MIL 351) is usually taken during the final two years of college. It includes instruction in management, tactics, ethics, and professionalism, and further leadership development. Textbooks and uniforms in the advanced course are also furnished to students at no cost.

During the summer between their junior and senior years of college, advanced course Cadets attend a paid four-week training session called Advance Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Advance Camp provides Cadets the chance to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom and introduces them to Army life in a field environment.

Students may utilize up to the maximum number of credits in the core curriculum received through completions of Military Science (ROTC) classes as free electives which are credited towards graduation. All credits are computed into QPA and overall credits completed.

The Two-Year Program

The Two-Year program is designed for junior and community college graduates, students at four-year colleges who did not take ROTC during their first two years and students entering a two-year postgraduate course of study.

To enter the Two-Year program, students must first attend the paid four-week Basic Course, held during the summer between their sophomore and junior years of college. At the Basic Course, students learn to challenge themselves physically and mentally and to build their confidence and self-respect.

After they have successfully completed the Basic Course, students who meet all the necessary enrollment requirements are enrolled in the advanced course.

Basic Course Practicum

The Military Science Leadership Practicum is a paid, four-week course conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the summer. It is designed primarily for junior and community college graduates entering Shippensburg University seeking hands-on experiences in the U.S. Army.

The practicum prepares students for 300-level military science courses, but there is no obligation to continue in military science for attending the practicum. Students who successfully complete the leadership practicum may continue on in the advanced ROTC program. Exceptional performance during this program may qualify the student for a scholarship. Participants receive room, board, travel expenses, medical care, and are paid approximately $700 for the four-week period.

Advance Course Practicum

The four-week summer training program, conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, stresses the application of military skills to rapidly changing situations. Participants are evaluated on their ability to make sound decisions, to direct team efforts toward the accomplishment of common goals, and to meet mental and physical challenges. Completion of this practicum is required prior to commissioning and is normally attended between the junior and senior years. Participants receive room, board, travel expenses, medical care, and are paid approximately $700 for the four-week period.

Military Science Career Possibilities

Individuals who complete the ROTC program earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation and serve in the active Army or Reserve components.

In addition to the core requirements, Cadets must complete a course in military history. Students are also encouraged to better enhance their education in courses such as anthropology, written communication, human behavior, management, and international studies.