The Department of Military Science provides a program of leadership development which prepares college men and women for service as officers in the United States Army. After graduation, they serve as commissioned officers on active duty, or as an officer in an Army Reserve or National Guard unit. To accomplish this, the department:

• Prepares cadets to be commissioned as Second Lieutenants through a curriculum which develops leadership and management skills, and provides opportunities to utilize these skills in a variety of practical applications.
  
  

• Provides an understanding of how to lead and influence small organizations, with a strong emphasis on personal integrity, ethical decision making, goal setting, and mission accomplishment.
  
  

• Offers adventure training, such as rappelling, land-navigation, marksmanship, and for selected students, airborne and air-assault training and the opportunity to serve with active army units, worldwide, during the summer.
  
  

• Provides programs and experiences which increase self-confidence, self-discipline, physical stamina, poise, and other attributes essential to the development of a leader of character -- one who is prepared to serve the nation or the commonwealth both in or out of uniform.

1. Why should I join ROTC????

2. What will I learn in ROTC? Isn't it just about shooting rifles and crawling through mud??

3. Do I have to join the Army to take ROTC classes?

4. Does ROTC offer scholarships???

5. If there is a war or conflict while I'm in college (such as Afghanistan), will I be sent?

6. Do I have to do physical training (PT) at 6:00 AM every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday???

7. I'm no longer a freshman.....isn't it too late to join ROTC?

8. Can I get a minor in ROTC???

9. Do I have to wear BDU's (the Army camouflage uniform???

10. Is ROTC like "boot camp???" Are there drill sergeants? Do I get screamed at and made to do push-ups?

11. What if I am already in the Reserves or National Guard??

12. How many females are in ROTC?

13. Who is a contracted cadet?

1. ROTC offers the best leadership training in the world. Nowhere will you find a program that can help or completely pay for college, guarantee you a job after school, and equip you with the skills to become one of the best leaders in the world. Whether you take two semesters or four years of the program, you will learn skills that can make you a highly successful individual in both the civilian and military world.
   
    

2. You will learn across a broad spectrum in ROTC: basic military skills are taught such as how to march, how to identify different ranks, and how to fire a rifle. Also, intangibles such as how to be an effective leader while under great stress are gradually introduced so that upon completion of the program, students will have the basic tools by which they can become tomorrow's top leaders. Activities such as crawling through the mud and marching through the woods for long distances are only a small part of the total package found in ROTC.
   
    

3. NO!!! You can take up to 2 years of ROTC without any commitment whatsoever. Come and check out the program!!! (And have fun while doing it.)
   
    

4. Slippery Rock University ROTC offers an extensive scholarship program. 2, 3, and 4-year scholarships are available that will pay all tuition, books, and fees, and will pay a monthly stipend of up to $500 to recipients.
   
    

5. No, you would not be sent because you would not have completed all the training it takes to make you a leader. Even after college the typical Lieutenant still faces another 4-6 months of training in their military specialty and for helicopter pilots the training after college is a full year. If and while you are contracted with ROTC you WILL NOT GO to any war, anywhere, anytime.
   
    

6. If you are not contracted with ROTC to become an officer in the Army you DO NOT HAVE TO attend PT. However, it's a great way to get in shape, and all cadets are free to come.
   
   
   

7. No! You can make up the first two years by attending the Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky for six weeks during the summer. Cadets are paid to attend and have the opportunity to compete for scholarships while there. No obligation to the Army is incurred for attending this course.
   
   
   

8. Slippery Rock University offers a Leadership Minor - it looks great on resumes.
   
   
   

9. The only time you have to wear a uniform is during Thursday leadership labs IF AND ONLY IF you are a contracted cadet. Any non-contracted cadets (freshmen and sophomores) may choose to wear a uniform on Thursdays but only if they wear it in the proper manner.
   
   
   

10. ROTC is not boot camp - both the students taking ROTC classes out of personal interest and the contracted cadets are above all college students. Academic matters are the top priority - cadets are taught leadership skills and are not hazed or treated like a private at boot camp. The only pushups done by cadets are performed during physical training (PT) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (only for contracted cadets).
    
    
    

11. ROTC offers a program called Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Once you hit junior status you are eligible for the program (unless you have an ROTC scholarship). As an 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, the GI Bill (if you are still eligible), and a monthly kicker through your unit. You will ultimately earn your commission as a 2LT and either go on active duty or stay with your Reserve/National Guard unit.
    
    
    

12. In the last two years SRU has commissioned six female lieutenants. Usually, about 20% of each graduating class is women. Men and women are equally encouraged to participate with and join ROTC.
    
    
    

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