What is Army ROTC?
Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) prepares eligible students upon graduation to receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve or National Guard.
ROTC enhances a student’s education by providing extensive leadership and management opportunities found in few other courses on campus. This training helps students develop self-discipline, physical stamina and poise – traits basic to build success in any career.
Through ROTC, the Army gains officers with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences. Simultaneously, ROTC graduates have the opportunity to use their ideas and experience in leadership positions, enabling the Army to relate to the thoughts and feelings of our ever-changing society.
If you are a nursing major interested in the ROTC experience, you can begin your professional career as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Army nurses are valued members of a health care team that includes more than 14,500 members in 40 hospitals around the world.
Capital’s School of Nursing is recognized as a “Partner in Nursing Education” along with the U.S. Army Cadet Command for the excellent education it provides to ROTC scholarship recipients. Between the junior and senior years, nursing students participate in the Nurse Summer Training Program, which provides cadets with a three-week nursing clinical experience in an Army hospital under the preceptor of an Army nurse.
Do you have to join the Army to take ROTC?
Absolutely not! Students can sign up for either the freshman-year or sophomore-year ROTC courses without military obligation, unless awarded an ROTC scholarship. The ROTC curriculum is divided into the basic courses (freshman and sophomore years) and the advanced courses (junior and senior years). ROTC is not a major field of study; however, military science and leadership is offered as a minor. The military science courses that are taken with a student’s normal academic workload do apply as elective credit that may be applied toward graduation requirements. Your academic adviser will know exactly how many hours of military science you can apply toward graduation.
Unless you are an ROTC scholarship recipient, you are not under any obligation to the Army in the basic course, only upon entry to the advanced course. Upon completion of the advanced course, you will receive a commission as a second lieutenant. Opportunities are available to serve on full-time active duty, part-time Reserve Component/National Guard duty or a combination of the two.
What will the Army do for you?
Each year, thousands of Army ROTC graduates enter the civilian employment market. These young men and women, educated in civilian colleges and universities, bring with them many sought-after attributes not readily obtained through a regular academic program.
These graduates have been trained by the Army ROTC as leaders, stepping into civilian careers at a higher level than many of their non-ROTC classmates. ROTC cadets train to accept increasing responsibility right from the start. This is an important benefit to prospective employers, who get college graduates who are self-confident, articulate and not afraid to make decisions, even under the most stressful conditions.
Considering these facts, it is understandable that Army ROTC graduates often achieve a higher degree of success in civilian careers. Additionally, many American businesses and industries prefer ROTC graduates because of their leadership experience and future potential.
For Army nurses, there is specialty training after graduation offered in such areas as obstetrics and gynecology, critical care, psychiatric and mental health, operating room and community health nursing. Opportunities for advanced degree programs funded by the Army also are available.
What about an ROTC scholarship?
The Army offers four-year, three-year and two-year ROTC scholarships that are awarded to the most outstanding students who apply. There is no military obligation to apply for an ROTC scholarship. The scholarship pays for tuition and most on-campus educational expenses and allows for a flat rate of $600 for textbooks. The scholarship also includes an allowance of up to $4,000 for every year the scholarship is in effect. Students not receiving the scholarship have this allowance benefit beginning the junior year. Additionally, all cadets at Capital University receive a General Education goals wavier for Lifetime Health (a savings of about $1,200) if enrolled in ROTC for two semesters. Additional financial aid incentives are available for scholarship winners, including free room and board in the residence halls and additional Capital scholarship awards. Even if not on an ROTC scholarship, each student is encouraged to contact the Admission Office and talk to one of the counselors.
Students still can complete ROTC and receive a commission, even if they are not on an ROTC scholarship.
What if I don’t have four years left in college?
Students can get credit for the first two years of ROTC classes just by successfully completing five weeks of summer leadership training, while getting paid more than $650. Prior service veterans, Army Reserve or National Guard members may be eligible for a commission in two years, substituting their basic training and AIT for the ROTC basic course classes.
What does an Army officer do?
Jobs of an Army officer range from those specifically related to a degree – such as nursing, business, finance, personnel management, physical science, law and engineering – to general military career fields not related to one specific major – such as aviation, infantry and armor.
The entry-level rank for ROTC graduates is that of a second lieutenant. Officers of this rank typically are put in charge of units composed of approximately 50 people, and with equipment costing from $1 million to $5 million. They are eligible for assignments in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as overseas tours to Europe, South Korea and many other countries. Salary and benefits for a second lieutenant start at $32,500.
ROTC Course Offerings
Freshman Fall Semester
Foundations of Officership - 2 credit hrs.
Freshman Spring Semester
Basic Leadership -2 credit hrs.
Sophomore Fall Semester
Individual Leadership Studies - 3 credit hrs.
Sophomore Spring Semester
Leadership and Teamwork - 3 credit hrs.
Junior Fall Semester
Leadership and Problem Solving - 3 credit hrs.
Junior Spring Semester
Leadership and Ethics -3 credit hrs.
Senior Fall Semester
Leadership and Management - 3 credit hrs.
Senior Spring Semester
Officership-3 credit hrs.
Admission
To apply for admission to Capital University, students must complete an application and submit the following information:
• High school and/or college transcripts
• Counselor evaluation (high school students only)
• College/University Transfer Report (transfer students only)
• ACT or SAT scores (high school students only)
• $25 application fee
Financial Aid
Part of Capital’s tradition includes a commitment to helping students and parents find resources to finance their university experience. Individualized assistance is available through a variety of options, including scholarships, grants, loans and campus employment.
With a foundation firmly based in a history and tradition of academic excellence, Capital University’s undergraduate and graduate programs are preparing students for lifelong learning in the global environment of the 21st century. Since its founding by the Lutheran Church in 1830, Capital has been at the forefront of preparing students for the future through a quality liberal arts education that is coupled with professional training. Ethical, moral and religious values essential to leadership in society are an integral part of the Capital experience.
Throughout Capital’s five undergraduate colleges and its four graduate programs can be found dedicated, caring faculty who are committed to teaching excellence and to treating each of Capital’s nearly 4,000 students as individuals. The College of Arts and Sciences; the School of Education, Professional Studies and Social Work; the School of Management; the School of Nursing; and the Conservatory of Music offer six undergraduate degrees and more than 80 undergraduate majors, while the School of Management, the School of Nursing, the Conservatory of Music and the Law School offer eight graduate degree programs. The School of Education, Professional Studies and Social Work houses the university’s Centers for Lifelong Learning. Located in Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton, the centers provide opportunities for quality, affordable undergraduate education to adult students.
Enriched by its metropolitan location, Capital also serves the Central Ohio community through partnerships with corporations, foundations, other educational institutions, hospitals, social service agencies, schools and arts groups. Capital alumni can be found in every state and in more than 25 countries, serving their communities and sharing their expertise, as well as their ethics and values with those around them.