Program Overview

Introduction to the Army ROTC Program

The Army ROTC program is designed to develop young men and women into junior commissioned officers for positions of responsibility in the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or Active Army. The program offers a range of benefits, including a challenging and well-paid job, college financing, and the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees.

Benefits of the Army ROTC Program

• A challenging, important, well-paid job at graduation in one of the many professional fields that the modern Army has to offer, including:
  • Intelligence
  • Military police
  • Communications
  • Engineering
  • Transportation management
  • Finance
  • Combat arms
  • Hospital administration
  • Nursing
  • Research and development
• College financing, including:
  • A $300-500/month stipend for all advance course and Army ROTC scholarship students
  • $1,200 per year for books and supplies for scholarship students
  • The opportunity for advance course students to join the Reserves as an office trainee and receive pay while in college
• The option of two careers, with the ability to fulfill obligations by serving on active duty or reserve duty
• Reserve officers spend one weekend a month being a soldier, while officers who serve on active duty receive 30 days paid vacation every year, free medical and dental care, travel, and the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees with educational assistance from the Army

The Program

The Army ROTC program may be completed in several different ways, including:

• A four-year program, which is traditionally offered as a four-year program and is best started as a freshman, but special arrangements can be made for those who start as sophomores
• A two-year program, which is designed to provide greater flexibility in meeting the needs of students desiring commissions in the U.S. Army

Four-Year Program

The four-year program is designed to give students a perspective on their leadership ability and what the Army can offer them. The first two years of military science are voluntary without service obligation, and the student who decides to continue in ROTC and pursue a commission signs an agreement with the Department of the Army to accept a commission upon completion of the last two years of military science.

Two-Year Program

The two-year program is designed to provide greater flexibility in meeting the needs of students desiring commissions in the U.S. Army. Basic prerequisites for entering the two-year program include:

• Being in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA) and passing an Army medical examination
• Having two academic years of study remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or combination)
• Attending a four-week Leaders Training Course to catch up with the students in the four-year program

Veterans

Veterans of any of the armed forces may qualify for advanced placement and should contact the Military Science Department for details.

Scholarships

The Army ROTC currently has scholarships in effect, which pay full tuition and mandatory fees plus $1,200.00 per year for books and supplies, and provide $300-500/month for the academic year. These scholarships cover either four, three, or two years.

Qualifications

All students who desire to enter the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps must be U.S. citizens, 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.

Academics

UMSL Army Reserve Officers Training Corps academics consist of two parts:

• Earning a degree in the student's chosen academic subject
• Completing 22 credit hours (four-year program) or 12 credit hours (two-year program) of the military science curriculum

Leadership Laboratory

Leadership laboratory is required of all students enrolled in military science courses. Classes are two hours every Thursday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., unless otherwise designated. In addition, students attend one field training exercise each semester.

Graduate Study

Officers who have been admitted to law school, medical school, or a master's program in divinity may postpone active duty to continue graduate study. Students who are accepted into medical school may take up to four years to complete their studies.

Special Training

Selected volunteers may attend one of several special schools during the summer, including:

• The Airborne Course at Fort Benning, GA
• Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, KY
• The Northern Warfare School in Alaska or Vermont

Cadet Activities

Army ROTC students may participate in many extracurricular activities during the year, including:

• Social activities, such as the Army Military Ball, picnics, and informal parties
• Campus and community service activities
• The Drill Team, Color Guard, Air Rifle Team, and Ranger Challenge Team

Course Descriptions

The following courses are offered as part of the Army ROTC program:

• MIL SCI 1101 Introduction to Leadership I
• MIL SCI 1102 Introduction to Leadership II
• MIL SCI 2201 Innovative Team Leadership
• MIL SCI 2202 Foundations of Tactical Leadership
• MIL SCI 3301 Adaptive Team Leadership
• MIL SCI 3302 Applied Team Leadership
• MIL SCI 4401 Adaptive Leadership
• MIL SCI Leadership in a Complex World
• MIL SC 4411 Advanced Military Science Studies 5
• MIL SC 4412 Advanced Military Science Studies 6
• MIL SC 4413 Military Medical Technologies Independent Study