10 U.S.C. § 2101 (ARMED FORCES)
§ 2101. Definitions
In this chapter:
(1) The term “program” means the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of an armed force.
(2) The term “member of the program” means a student who is enrolled in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of an armed force.
(3) The term “advanced training” means the training and instruction offered in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to students enrolled in an advanced education program beyond the baccalaureate degree level or to students in the third and fourth years of a four-year Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps course, or the equivalent period of training in an approved two-year Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps course (except that, in the case of a student enrolled in an academic program which has been approved by the Secretary of the military department concerned and which requires more than four academic years for completion of baccalaureate degree requirements, including elective requirements of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps course, such term includes a fifth academic year or a combination of a part of a fifth academic year and summer sessions).
(Added Pub. L. 88–647, title II, § 201(1), Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1064; amended Pub. L. 98–94, title X, § 1003(a)(1), title XII, § 1268(11), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 656, 706; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, § 1231(17), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1161; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, § 553(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2526.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1996—Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–201 inserted “students enrolled in an advanced education program beyond the baccalaureate degree level or to” after “Training Corps to”.
1987—Pub. L. 100–180, in pars. (1) to (3), inserted “The term” after each par. designation, and struck out uppercase letter of first word after first quotation marks in each par. and substituted lowercase letter.
1983—Pub. L. 98–94, § 1268(11)(A), substituted a colon for a dash after “In this chapter” in provision preceding par. (1).
Par. (1). Pub. L. 98–94, § 1268(11)(B), (C), substituted “Program” for “program” and a period for a semicolon after “armed force”.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 98–94, § 1268(11)(D), (E), substituted “Member” for “member”, and a period for “; and” after “armed force”.
Par. (3). Pub. L. 98–94, § 1268(11)(F), substituted “Advanced” for “advanced”.
Pub. L. 98–94, § 1003(a)(1), inserted parenthetical provision relating to a fifth academic year or a combination of a fifth academic year and summer sessions.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Limitation on Authority To Reorganize the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of the Army
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title V, § 548, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 875, provided that:
“(a) Briefing on Reorganization Plans.—
Not later than March 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Army shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the plans of the Secretary of the Army with respect to reorganization of the program or individual units of the program. Such briefing shall include the following:
“(1) The number of members of the program anticipated to be affected by such a reorganization at each educational institution.
“(2) An identification of the requirements for members of the program who are members of a unit that will close or whose position within a unit will be eliminated to transfer to another unit of the program.
“(3) An identification of alternative pathways for members of the program affected by a reorganization to be appointed as a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces.
“(b) Limitations.—
“(1) Briefing prior to reorganization.—
The Secretary of the Army may not reorganize a unit of the program of the Army until the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Secretary, acting through the Army Cadet Command, provides to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing with respect to the reorganization of such unit that includes the following:
“(A) Each position of such unit to be eliminated.
“(B) A risk analysis regarding the impact of the reorganization on Army officer accessions that justifies such reorganization.
“(C) Anticipated cost savings or expenses to the United States.
“(D) The number of members of the program affected by the reorganization, including the number of members who will have to travel to another educational institution to participate in the program after the reorganization.
“(E) Any change to a scholarship awarded under section 2107 or 2107a of title 10, United States Code, due to the reorganization.
“(2) Completion of commissioning requirements by current students.—
The Secretary of the Army shall ensure that any reorganization of a unit of the program of the Army allows a member of the program receiving financial assistance under section 2107 or 2107a of title 10, United States Code, who is affected by such reorganization to complete any requirements for receiving a commission as an officer in the Army without the member being required to transfer to another educational institution.
“(c) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The terms ‘program’ and ‘member of the program’ have the meanings given such terms in section 2101 of title 10, United States Code.
“(2) The term ‘reorganize’, with respect to a unit of the program, includes closing, restructuring, reclassifying, merging, or realigning.”
heading: Pilot Programs Authorized in Connection With SROTC Units and CSPI Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions
text: Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 519, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3591, provided that:
“(a) Pilot Programs Required.—
The Secretary of Defense may carry out two pilot programs as follows:
“(1) A pilot program, with elements as provided for in subsection (c), at covered institutions in order to assess the feasibility and advisability of mechanisms to reduce barriers to participation in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at such institutions by creating partnerships between satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units at such institutions and covered military installations.
“(2) In consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, a pilot program, with elements as provided for in subsection (d), in order to assess the feasibility and advisability of the provision of financial assistance to members of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, and members of the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative, at covered institutions for participation in flight training.
“(b) Duration.—
The duration of each pilot program under subsection (a) may not exceed 5 years.
“(c) Pilot Program on Partnerships Between Satellite or Extension SROTC Units and Covered Military Installations.—
“(1) Participating institutions.—
The Secretary of Defense shall carry out the pilot program required by subsection (a)(1) at not fewer than five covered institutions selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
“(2) Requirements for selection.—
Each covered institution selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program under subsection (a)(1) shall—
“(A) currently maintain a satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit under chapter 103 of title 10, United States Code, that is located more than 20 miles from the host unit of such unit; or
“(B) establish and maintain a satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit that meets the requirements in subparagraph (A).
“(3) Preference in selection of institutions.—
In selecting covered institutions under this subsection for participation in the pilot program under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall give preference to covered institutions that are located within 20 miles of a covered military installation of the same Armed Force as the host unit of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of the covered institution concerned.
“(4) Partnership activities.—
The activities conducted under the pilot program under subsection (a)(1) between a satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit and the covered military installation concerned shall include such activities designed to reduce barriers to participation in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at the covered institution concerned as the Secretary considers appropriate, including measures to mitigate travel time and expenses in connection with receipt of Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instruction.
“(d) Pilot Program on Financial Assistance for SROTC and CSPI Members for Flight Training.—
“(1) Eligibility for participation by srotc and cspi members.—
A member of a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit, or a member of a Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative program, at a covered institution may participate in the pilot program under subsection (a)(2) if the member meets such academic requirements at the covered institution, and such other requirements, as the Secretary concerned shall establish for purposes of the pilot program.
“(2) Preference in selection of participants.—
In selecting members under this subsection for participation in the pilot program under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary concerned shall give a preference to members who will pursue flight training under the pilot program at a covered institution.
“(3) Financial assistance for flight training.—
“(A) In general.—
The Secretary concerned may provide any member of a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit or a College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative program who participates in the pilot program under subsection (a)(2) financial assistance to defray, whether in whole or in part, the charges and fees imposed on the member for flight training.
“(B) Flight training.—
Financial assistance may be used under subparagraph (A) for a course of flight training only if the course meets Federal Aviation Administration standards and is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the applicable State approving agency.
“(C) Use.—
Financial assistance received by a member under subparagraph (A) may be used only to defray the charges and fees imposed on the member as described in that subparagraph.
“(D) Cessation of eligibility.—
Financial assistance may not be provided to a member under subparagraph (A) as follows:
“(i) If the member ceases to meet the academic and other requirements established pursuant to paragraph (1).
“(ii) If the member ceases to be a member of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative, as applicable.
“(e) Evaluation Metrics.—
The Secretary of Defense shall establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot programs under subsection (a).
“(f) Reports.—
“(1) Initial report.—
Not later than 180 days after the commencement of the pilot programs under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot programs. The report shall include the following:
“(A) A description of each pilot program, including in the case of the pilot program under subsection (a)(2) the requirements established pursuant to subsection (d)(1).
“(B) The evaluation metrics established under subsection (e).
“(C) Such other matters relating to the pilot programs as the Secretary considers appropriate.
“(2) Annual report.—
Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year in which the Secretary carries out the pilot programs, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot programs during such fiscal year. Each report shall include, for the fiscal year covered by such report, the following:
“(A) In the case of the pilot program required by subsection (a)(1), a description of the partnerships between satellite or extension Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units and covered military installations under the pilot program.
“(B) In the case of the pilot program required by subsection (a)(2), the following:
“(i) The number of members of Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units, and the number of members of Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative programs, at covered institutions selected for purposes of the pilot program, including the number of such members participating in the pilot program.
“(ii) The number of recipients of financial assistance provided under the pilot program, including the number who—
“(I) completed a ground school course of instruction in connection with obtaining a private pilot’s certificate;
“(II) completed flight training, and the type of training, certificate, or both received;
“(III) were selected for a pilot training slot in the Armed Forces;
“(IV) initiated pilot training in the Armed Forces; or
“(V) successfully completed pilot training in the Armed Forces.
“(iii) The amount of financial assistance provided under the pilot program, broken out by covered institution, course of study, and such other measures as the Secretary considers appropriate.
“(C) Data collected in accordance with the evaluation metrics established under subsection (e).
“(3) Final report.—
Not later than 180 days prior to the completion of the pilot programs, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot programs. The report shall include the following:
“(A) A description of the pilot programs.
“(B) An assessment of the effectiveness of each pilot program.
“(C) A description of the cost of each pilot program, and an estimate of the cost of making each pilot program permanent.
“(D) An estimate of the cost of expanding each pilot program throughout all eligible Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units and College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative programs.
“(E) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot programs, including recommendations for extending or making permanent the authority for each pilot program.
“(g) Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The term ‘covered institution’ has the meaning given that term in section 262(g)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; [10 U.S.C. 4144 note]).
“(2) The term ‘covered military installation’ means an installation of the Department of Defense for the regular components of the Armed Forces.
“(3) The term ‘flight training’ means a course of instruction toward obtaining any of the following:
“(A) A private pilot’s certificate.
“(B) A commercial pilot certificate.
“(C) A certified flight instructor certificate.
“(D) A multi-crew pilot’s license.
“(E) A flight instrument rating.
“(F) Any other certificate, rating, or pilot privilege the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of this section.”
heading: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Training for Administrators and Instructors of Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
text: Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title V, § 540, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 818, provided that: “The Secretary of a military department shall ensure that the commander of each unit of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and all Professors of Military Science, senior military instructors, and civilian employees detailed, assigned, or employed as administrators and instructors of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps receive regular sexual assault prevention and response training and education.”
heading: Promotion of Foreign Language Skills Among Members of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
text: Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 535, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3249, as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(h)(2), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4377, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Defense shall support the acquisition of foreign language skills among cadets and midshipmen in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, including through the development and implementation of—
“(1) incentives for cadets and midshipmen to participate in study of a foreign language, including special emphasis for Arabic, Chinese, and other ‘strategic languages’, as defined by the Secretary of Defense in consultation with other relevant agencies; and
“(2) a recruiting strategy to target foreign language speakers, including members of heritage communities, to participate in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“(b) Report Required.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 6, 2006], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the actions taken to carry out this section.”