The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is one of four ways to receive an Appointment as a United States Army Officer. Although West Point, Officer’s Candidate School, and the Direct Commissioning process serve as the other three options, the 272 College ROTC Departments across the nation annually commission over half of the Army’s 2nd Lieutenants.

In terms of a general overview, the ROTC curriculum is divided into two distinct courses: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. Each course differs in regard to who can participate and also in regard to one’s overall military obligation.

The Basic Course is comprised of the freshman and sophomore level classes and does not require any military obligation. At most universities, these classes are considered electives and only meet once a week for approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours. The Basic Course covers topics such as Organization of the Army; Military Traditions and Courtesies; Basic Leadership Skills; Decision Making Process; Map Reading Skills; Introduction to Small Unit Tactics; and Basic Soldier Skills. In order to enroll in the Basic Course, an individual must:

1. Be a full time student at Campbell University, Methodist College, Fayetteville State University, and UNC Pembroke
2. Not be a Conscientious Objector
3. Be of Good Moral Character
4. Not have any Tattoos specifically prohibited by Army policy
5. Be a U.S. Citizen
6. Be in good physical condition

The Advance Course is comprised of junior and senior level classes and requires students to commit to a military obligation prior to entering the course. Once enrolled in the Advance Course, cadets participate in academic classes and leadership labs each semester and also attend a 30 day Leadership Development Assessment Course located at Fort Lewis, Washington, during the summer of their junior/senior year. In order to enroll in the Advance Course, an individual must:

1. Meet all of the previous requirements to enter the Basic Course.
2. Not have any civil convictions, adverse adjudications, or court marshal convictions other than minor traffic violations less than $250.00. Not have more than 3 dependents.
3. Never have used drugs; or be a self admitted limited/experimental user of drugs who has not used within 6 months of contracting.
4. Sign a loyalty oath.
5. If prior service, have an honorable discharge from the Armed Services with a qualifying RE code of 1 on DD Form 214.
6. Meet one of the following criteria: have credit for MS 101/102/201/202, complete Cadet Command’s Leadership Training Course, or complete Basic Training in one of the Armed Forces.
7. Have a college GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
8. Score at least 180 points with 60 points in each event on a single Army Physical Fitness Test.
9. Successfully pass a Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board physical. The most common non-waiver disqualifiers during this physical are: documented asthma after the age of 13; ADD/ADHD, depression treatment, or academic skills disorders within the past 12 months; ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, scoliosis-curvature of the spine in excess of 30 degrees, or prior service with a permanent profile.
10. Be younger than the age of 31 at time of commissioning

Upon completion of the Advance Course and successful graduation from the university, cadets receive their commission as a United States Army Officer and subsequently begin a career in either the Active Army or Reserve/National Guard.

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