FAQs

Bitonte College of Health and Human Services

Departments

Army ROTC

FAQs

Q. How do I enroll in ROTC? A. To enroll in the Army ROTC freshman classes, you must sign up for two seperate courses. This includes a lecture and a lab. During the Fall Semester you must enroll in MILSC 1510 and MILSC 1530L. During the Spring Semester you must enroll in MILSC 1520 and MILSC 1530L. For other enrollment questions contact us.

Q. By enrolling in ROTC, am I joining the Army? A. No! During the first two years of ROTC, there is no military commitment. Freshmen take a 1 credit hour Military Science course, sophomores take a 2 credit course. These are academic courses taught at YSU which count toward your degree. The ROTC department provides all textbooks. You may drop out of ROTC any time during your first two years with no obligation. After the start of your junior year, you start to receive Army funds and incur an obligation. Remember ROTC is just a regular college class, we just happen to do some pretty cool stuff.

Q. Is ROTC like "boot camp"? A. No. ROTC cadets are college students working towards their college degree. ROTC is just like any other class here at YSU.

Q. What is college life like in ROTC? A. You are a regular full-time college student. ROTC normally takes 2-4 hours a week. Besides the classes, students:

1. Participate in a 90 minute "lab" each Friday morning, on the YSU campus, in which they practice skills not suited for the classroom: rappelling; water-survival training (Beeghly Pool); rifle marksmanship (indoor range), etc. The ROTC department provides the uniforms and equipment.
2. May participate in the following events (optional for freshmen and sophomores)
- Physical training (3x/week)
- Ranger Challenge team during the fall quarter, in which cadets compete in a test of military skills against other universities from across the Midwest
- Field Training Exercise (1x/quarter) in a local training area
- Weekend tour of Gettysburg National Battlefield
- Serve as member of the Cannon Crew or Color Guard at YSU home football games, and tailgate before the game.
Q. What can students expect to learn by taking ROTC? A. Quite simply, leadership and management skills needed to become a U.S. Army officer or have a successful civilian career.

Q. What makes ROTC different from other college management courses? A. Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, an ROTC cadet might be found leading classmates through adventure training, down a wall during rappelling, or during a lab geared towards first aid.

Q. Is there a military obligation during college? A. During the first two years, ROTC cadets have no military obligation (or the first year in the case of scholarship winners).

Q. What is the ROTC course comprised of? A. The ROTC program is divided into 2 phases: The Basic Course (freshman and sophomores) studies Army history, organization and structure. The techniques and principles of leadership and management are stressed throughout. No military commitment or obligation is incurred during the Basic Course. Students may withdraw anytime before their third year.
The Advanced Course (juniors and seniors) concentrates on tactical operations and military instruction, as well as advanced techniques of management, leadership, and command. Once entering the Advanced Course you also agree to accept a federal commission and an assignment in either the active duty or the reserve forces. also check out our Curriculum page

Q. Does Army ROTC offer scholarships? A. Yes. Here at YSU we offer 3 different scholarships to the incoming freshmen and sophomores:
- The Gold Bar Scholarship: This scholarship carries no military commitment. This $1000 scholarship is open to all incoming freshmen and sophomores The scholarship is good for one academic year and is renewable for returning students. Please see the scholarship page for more information.
- Carl Nunziato Room and Board Scholarship: This scholarship also carries no military commitment. The scholarship covers entire room and board for one year for the awarded student. This scholarship is open to all students in the ROTC program. Please see the scholarship page for more information.
- Army 2 and 3 Year Scholarships: This scholarship covers tuition (plus additional funds) and they do carry a military commitment. Please see the scholarship page for more information.
- On a national level: each year hundreds of students attending colleges nationwide receive ROTC scholarships. ROTC awards them to students studying science, engineering, nursing, business, as well as a variety of other majors. These scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and cover 2, 3, or 4 years.
Q. How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the money go towards? A. Scholarships are awarded at different monetary levels. At YSU the scholarship will c over your entire tuition, a yearly allowance for books, and a monthly stipend (during the months you''re in school) for subsistence.

Q. On what basis are scholarship winners chosen? A. ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need. Instead, they''re awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited in academic achievement and extracurricular activities, such as sports, student government or part-time work.

Q. Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC? A. No. Anyone can enroll in ROTC. And regardless of whether you''re a scholarship winner or not, all ROTC books, supplies and equipment are furnished at not cost to you.

Q. How often are Army ROTC scholarships awarded? A. Scholarships are awarded once a year. Please contact us for exact dates of application deadlines.

Q. What if I wanted to join ROTC but I did not sign up for the class during my freshman or sophomore year? A. There is a Basic Camp offered for all students who wish to join ROTC after their sophomore year. The camp is six weeks long during the summer and you will be paid. There is no military commitment after graduating the camp, although you have to make that decision when you return to school for the fall semester.

Q. How do students benefit from Army ROTC? A. In college and after graduation, cadets find that the training and experience that they have received are assets - whether pursuing an Army or civilian career. Employers place high regard on the management and leadership skills that ROTC instructors stress. Plus, ROTC looks great on a resume. When cadets complete the ROTC course, upon graduation, they become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.

Q. What is a contracted cadet? A. A contracted cadet is a student that has made a commitment to serve in the military upon graduation. They are no different then any other student on campus, however, they do have a guaranteed job the day they graduate.

Q. What if I am already in the Reserves or National Guard? A. ROTC offers a program called Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Once you hit junior status you are eligible for the program. As a SMP cadet you will contract with ROTC but remain in your current unit and participate in the regular drill weekends but you will be shadowing a 2LT. You will also be drawing E-5 pay for your drill weekend, the ROTC cadet monthly stipend and the GI Bill (if you are still eligible). You will ultimately earn your commission as a 2LT and either go on active duty or stay with your Reserve / National Guard unit.

Q. What if I wanted a guarantee that I will be an officer in the Reserves or the National Guard and I am not currently in the Reserves or Guard? A. In order to do this you must join a unit your junior year and become an SMP cadet (see above). By doing this you are ineligible to receive the Army Scholarship, however you will be earning E-5 pay along with the monthly cadet stipend. You will also participate in the drill weekends with the Reserve or Guard unit just like an enlisted soldier, however you do not need to attend boot camp.

Q. What is the purpose of ROTC? A. The ultimate goal for ROTC is to commission cadets as 2nd Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. YSU ROTCROTC expands a student’s education by providing leadership and management experience. This training helps students develop self discipline, physical stamina, and poise—qualities basic to success in any worthwhile career. They earn commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army (which includes the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve) while earning their college degrees. Through ROTC, the Army gains officers with diverse educational backgrounds and contemporary ideas. At the same time, ROTC graduates have the chance to use their training in positions of leadership, and they enable the Army to relate to the thoughts and feelings of our ever-changing society. At present, over 80 percent of all second lieutenants for the U.S. Army come from ROTC programs nationwide.

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