Pre-commissioned officer education and training
The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a nationally standardized program of pre-commissioned officer education and training offered at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Army ROTC was born when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Defense Act of 1916. It now serves as the primary source of commissioning for U.S. Army officers. Since its inception, Army ROTC has provided leadership and military training at schools and universities across the country and has commissioned more than a half million officers. Army ROTC provides Cadets with the character-building aspects of a diverse, self-disciplined civilian education with tough, centralized leadership development training.
Army ROTC classes began when the school name was Oregon College of Education during the 1976 - 1977 school year. Since then the program has commissioned numerous officers into the United States Army as an active duty, US Army Reserves, and Army National Guard Second Lieutenant. Many WOU ROTC commissioned officers have honorably served and continue to proudly serve our nation.
Leadership development
The focus of the ROTC program is leadership development. Students learn leadership skills, problem solving techniques, decision making skills, planning and organizing skills, interpersonal communications skills, professional ethics and responsibilities, and other management skills.
Leadership labs and Field Training Exercises (FTX) supplement classroom work with practical leadership training and experience. Students receive developmental counseling routinely from their U.S. Army Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) instructors.
About the program
Army ROTC is an elective course and is normally a four year program. The first two years of ROTC (Basic Course) incurs no military commitment. The last two years of ROTC (Advanced Course) requires a contract and commitment to serve in the Army upon graduation and commissioning.
Military Science courses complement all major areas of study by broadening the student’s basic education and help prepare students for positions of leadership in the Army and economy. As students earn their academic degree, they also earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Western Oregon University Army ROTC is a partnership school with Oregon State University Army ROTC. Army ROTC (Military Science) courses include one class and one lab session each week. The MS I (first year ROTC student) and MS II (second year ROTC student) classes are held at WOU (UPCC A104) and labs are either at WOU or OSU. The MS III (third year ROTC student) and MS IV (fourth year ROTC student) classes are held at the McAlexander Field House (MCAF) on the OSU campus. Register for Military Science as an elective course at WOU.
Army ROTC Basic Course
The Basic Course takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves one elective class and lab each term along with the requisite physical training and field training exercises. You learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without a military commitment.
Army ROTC Advanced Course
The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes one elective class and lab each term in addition to the requisite physical training and field training exercises, plus between your junior and senior year you are required to attend the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, Washington over the summer. You learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. To benefit from the leadership training in the Advanced Course, all Cadets must have completed either the Basic Course, attended the Leader's Training Course (LTC), or completed Basic Training. Entering the Advanced Course requires a contract with Army ROTC and a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.
Note: As a scholarship or contracted Army ROTC cadet, you receive a monetary stipend for 10 months during the academic year. The amounts are:
* Freshman: $300 per month
* Sophomore: $350 per month
* Junior: $450 per month
* Senior: $500 per month
Eligibility Requirements
High School Student
For information on eligibility requirements and scholarship opportunities, go to www.goarmy.com/rotc/high_school_students.jsp.
College Student
For information on eligibility requirements and scholarship opportunities, go to www.goarmy.com/rotc/college_students.jsp.
Army ROTC for Nursing Students
Nursing students who are also Army ROTC Cadets can benefit from unique hands-on nursing opportunities while receiving financial assistance for college. You will gain valuable leadership experience and management training that can benefit you in either a military or private-sector nursing career.
For information on ROTC for Nursing Students, go to www.goarmy.com/rotc/nurse_program.jsp.
Leader's Training Course (LTC)
Cadets who join Army ROTC and have neither taken the first two years of Army ROTC or have not completed enlisted basic training attend this four-week course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, prior to starting their MS III class. LTC gets these cadets up-to-speed to be on a par with their peers when MS III class begins. Cadets receive both pay and academic credit for LTC.
For more information on LTC, go to www.goarmy.com/rotc/leaders_training.jsp.
Click here to see a video of the LTC training.
Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)
LDAC is mandatory for all Advanced Course cadets in the summer after their MS III (junior) year of ROTC. Cadets from across the United States come to Fort Lewis, Washington. for this four-week course. Senior officers and non-commissioned officers evaluate cadets for both their tactical knowledge and leadership capabilities. Cadets must pass this course in order to be commissioned. In addition to pay, cadets receive academic credit for this class.
For more information on LDAC, go to www.goarmy.com/rotc/leader_development.jsp.
Service Commitment
ROTC students who receive an Army ROTC scholarship or enter the Army ROTC Advanced Course must agree to complete an eight-year period of service with the Army.
* You can serve full time in the Army for three years (four years for scholarship winners), with the balance in the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
* Selected Cadets may choose to serve part time in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career.
It's an experience that you can't get anywhere else, and your leadership skills will be challenged every day.
Resources and other links
How to become an Army Officer
WOU Army ROTC Facts Summary
WOU Army ROTC Brochure
Army ROTC website
Planned Academic Worksheet (CC Form 104-R)
APFT Calculator
U.S. Military Rank Insignia - Officers
U.S. Military Rank Insignia - Enlisted
Contact WOU Army ROTC
| LTC Roy Susuico 503-838-8233 susuicor@wou.edu |
MSG David Bolden |
Address:
University Park Conference Center, A-106