Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a coeducational program dedicated to developing college-educated men and women to serve in challenging positions of leadership, responsibility, and varied managerial positions both as officers in the U.S. Army and civilians in corporate America. Army ROTC requires from two to four years to complete, depending on student qualifications. This time is normally divided into a two-year basic program, comprising freshman and sophomore students and a two-year contractual advanced program for juniors and seniors. Depending on a student’s academic alignment, some students may be able to compress the first and second years of instruction.
Students with prior military service or National Guard/Reserve service may qualify for direct placement in the advanced program. At the beginning of the junior year, students with two years remaining before graduation may also qualify for the advanced program by attending Cadet Basic Camp (BC), a 32 day course offered during the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. All students participate in a regular program of physical fitness and field training.
Mission and Objectives of ROTC
The primary objective of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Coastal Carolina University is to recruit, train, and retain students in order to commission quality officers for all components of America’s Army. The ROTC incorporates classroom and practical training in leadership, organization, planning, decision-making, and military skills. Intermediate objectives are to provide cadets with an understanding of the fundamentals of responsibility, integrity, and self-discipline, as well as an appreciation of the citizen’s role in national defense. The application of the decision-making process to a variety of situations is given major emphasis as a valuable aid in developing leadership potential. Army ROTC provides individuals with skills, experiences, and opportunities to develop their leadership skills. During classes and field training, cadets will learn first-hand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups, and how to conduct missions as an officer in the Army. Upon graduation from Army ROTC, cadets will earn the bar of a second lieutenant and be a commissioned officer. Cadets receiving a commission have the opportunity to serve in the Active Army, the Army Reserves, or in the National Guard.
ROTC Requirements
ROTC objectives are achieved through a “program” covering four years. ROTC is not a degree-granting program, but a collection and sequence of courses that students choose to complete in addition to their chosen academic major. A two-year program is available for those who qualify. Students may use ROTC courses to satisfy available “electives” in their major. The program includes specific courses in military science, more general academic subjects that assure a well-rounded education, practical training in leadership through participation in the Corps of Cadets (including attendance at 35 day summer course at an Army installation), and the opportunity to participate in a number of extracurricular activities. The typical student completes one basic ROTC course and lab per semester during the freshman and sophomore year (100-200 level). At the start of their junior year, students have the option to pursue a commission in the US Army. At this time, cadets would sign a contract with the U.S. Army. Students making this commitment would enter the ROTC advanced courses (300-400 level).
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