Upon being commissioned a second lieutenant, each student has the opportunity to serve in the active Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard. The Army ROTC program, in addition to providing a basic foundation in military subjects, is designed to develop the highest qualities of leadership, character, and citizenship through the wide variety of extracurricular activities it sponsors. Such activities include parades, ceremonies, social events, a Ranger unit, and intramural athletic teams. The Army ROTC program is normally a four-year program divided into a basic course and an advanced course. The basic course is conducted during the first two years and the advanced course during the last two years.
Students incur no military obligation until they enter the advanced course.
Certain students may qualify for advanced placement in the program based on previous military training in Junior ROTC, a service academy, active duty in a military service, credit for other college courses, or completion of a special six-week summer camp, normally between the sophomore and the junior year. The Department of the Army has determined that a need exists for all Army ROTC cadets to have a demonstrated proficiency in selected disciplines. A list of courses that fulfill PME requirements is available from the chairman of the Department of Military Science. The four-year scholarship program is controlled by the Department of the Army, and applicants must apply while in high school. The remaining programs are administered through the Department of Military Science.