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 Army ROTC

General Information

Course Descriptions

Web Page: http://www.cec.wustl.edu/rotc/

The purpose of the Military Science Department is to develop young men and women into junior commissioned officers for positions of responsibility in the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or Active Army.

Benefits
Army ROTC offers UM-St. Louis students:

  1. A challenging, important, well-paid job at graduation in one of the many professional fields that the modern Army has to offer. Army officers serve in such fields as intelligence, military police, communications, engineering, transportation management, finance, combat arms, hospital administration, nursing, and research and development. Starting salary with allowances of an active duty second lieutenant is approximately $27,000.  Within four years he/she should be promoted to captain with a salary and allowances of nearly  $48,000.  Reserve officers attend one weekend per month and an annual two-week  training camp.
  2. College financing.  All advance course and Army ROTC scholarship students receive $200/month stipend.  Only scholarship students receive $450 for books and supplies.  Also, advance course students may join the Reserves as an officer trainee and receive pay while in college.
  3. Full-time enrolled students may compete for the Army ROTC scholarship. The scholarship pays for tuition, fees, and books.
  4. Option of two careers. Upon graduation and commissioning as officers in the U.S. Army, students may fulfill their obligation by serving on active duty or reserve duty.  Reserve officers spend one weekend a month being a soldier.  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 on a fully funded or partially funded basis.

The Program
College students who complete the ROTC program earn commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. The ROTC program may be completed in several different ways as outlined below.

  1. Four-Year Program. The military science program is traditionally offered as a four-year program. It is best to start as a freshman, but special arrangements can be made for those who start as sophomores. The first two years of military science are voluntary without service obligation, and are designed to give students a perspective on their leadership ability and what the Army can offer them. 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. In return the Army agrees to provide a subsistence allowance (up to $4,000) and to provide all necessary uniforms and military science books.
  2. 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. UM-St.  Louis students who did not participate in the four-year program and junior college transfer students are eligible for enrollment. Basic prerequisites for entering the two-year program are:
    1. The students must be in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA) and pass an Army medical examination.
    2. The student must have two academic years of study remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or combination). The student will attend a six-week summer camp to catch up with the students in the four-year program. Attendance at the basic camp does not obligate the student in any way and is only intended to give the student a look at Army life and opportunities. The student will be paid approximately $750 for attendance at basic camp.

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 toward tuition, fees, and books, and provide $200/month for the academic year.

These scholarships cover either four, three, or two years. UM-St. Louis freshmen and sophomores should apply in January for the two- and three-year scholarships.  Scholarship students may incur a four-year active duty obligation; however, they may request reserve duty to serve with the Army National Guard or Reserve.

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 30 when they receive their commission. Additional qualifications to be admitted into the advanced course include an academic average of C or better and passing an Army medical examination.

Academics
UM-St. Louis Army Reserve Officers Training Corps academics consist of two parts:

  1. Earning a degree in the student's chosen academic subject.
  2. Completing 18 credit hours (four-year program) or 12 credit hours (two-year  program) of the military science curriculum. The courses in military science are college-level academic courses which receive full academic credit toward the student's elective degree requirements in the College of Business Administration and the College of Education. The curriculum consists of classroom instruction and a leadership laboratory in which students receive leadership experience.

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. Leadership laboratory develops individual military skills and leadership ability through participation in drill and ceremonies, survival training, mountaineering, field-training exercises, and exposure to progressively greater responsibilities within the Cadet Corps organization.

Graduate Study
The Army realizes the importance of a graduate degree for its personnel. There are several programs available to assist ROTC graduates in obtaining an advanced  degree. The Army sends selected second lieutenants immediately to graduate school (with full pay and allowances) to pursue advanced degrees in engineering and the physical sciences. Other officers may postpone active duty for two years to continue graduate study. Students who are accepted into medical school may take up to four years to complete their studies. There are numerous opportunities for an officer to complete a master's degree in service and receive financial  assistance from the Army.

Special Training
Selected volunteers may attend one of several special schools during the summer: the Airborne Course at Fort Benning, GA; Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, KY; or the Northern Warfare School in Alaska. Successful course completion earns the coveted badge (such as the jump wings or air assault wings) associated with each school. Special cadet troop leadership training is available on a limited basis. Students participating in the program live and work with an active Army unit during part of one summer.

Cadet Activities
Army ROTC students may participate in many extracurricular activities during the year. Social activities include the Army Military Ball, a fall canoe trip  down the Meramec River, picnics, and informal parties. Army ROTC students also support various campus and community service activities. Interested students also participate in the Raider Club, Drill Team, Color Guard, and Ranger Challenge Team.