Army ROTC

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, established at Drexel in 1918, is an integral part of the University. Army ROTC courses are open to all students, and enrollment alone does not carry a military obligation. Students selected for the advanced course (normally pre-junior, junior, and senior years) will complete their academic and military studies concurrently, and upon graduation will be commissioned as lieutenants in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Participation in the advanced course may qualify participants to receive financial aid through a series of scholarships and co-operative education programs.

The purpose of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Drexel University is to provide this nation with leaders of character for our Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard. ROTC training is also intended to foster ideals of patriotism; promote an understanding of the role of the citizen-soldier; stimulate interest in a military career; and develop character, self-discipline, and leadership ability. Army ROTC is a college elective, and enrollment does not require military service.

Students can apply for on-campus 4-year, 3-year and 2-year scholarships at Drexel. All Army ROTC scholarships at Drexel cover full tuition and fees. Additionally, Army ROTC scholarship winners also receive free room (in dorm of choice on campus) and a 25% discount on Drexel's meal plan. These additional incentives are given by the university and total in excess of $7,500 annually. For example, a 3-year Army ROTC scholarship at Drexel, including these incentives plus a monthly stipend and a quarterly textbook stipend is worth over $135,000 over 4-years. In order to be offered a scholarship, students must meet certain physical fitness and academic requirements.

The Military Science program is divided into the basic course and the advanced course. The basic course normally coincides with the student's first two years of college. The purpose of the basic course is threefold: to give the student sufficient information to decide whether to continue in the advanced course, to develop certain military skills, and to allow the instructors an opportunity to evaluate the student's potential to become an officer. In total, the basic course consists of four or five Military Science courses and weekly attendance at Leadership Laboratories each term the cadet is in school. Except for scholarship Cadets, no military obligation is incurred by students participating in these courses. Basic course credit may be granted to students who successfully complete a five-week Cadet Initial Entry Training course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, between the sophomore and junior years. Prior Service Solders who have completed Basic Training also receive credit for the basic course. The advanced course, taken during a student's junior and senior years, is designed to prepare students for commissioned service. The first year of instruction (first two years for co-op students) is directed toward preparing students for the Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The final year of instruction is devoted to prepare students to be commissioned officers.

To be admitted to the advanced course, a student must have credit for the two-year basic course, volunteer, be selected by the professor of military science, and successfully complete the required screening and physical tests.

Enlisted Army Reservists and National Guardsmen may apply for the Simultaneous Membership Program, which permits them to serve as officer trainees with their units and receive commissions upon completion of the ROTC advanced course.

Airborne training, Air Assault training, Mountain Warfare training, Northern Warfare training, and Cadet Troop Leadership Training with a Regular Army unit are also available to select interested Cadets.

Twice per school year, Cadets are required to participate in a leadership development exercise. These exercises are usually two to three days in duration and are conducted at Fort Dix, New Jersey, or other military instillations. The field training exercises give students a chance to practice skills learned in the classroom and Leadership Laboratories. Contracted students are also required to attend the Advanced Camp over the summer between their Junior and Senior years. The Department of Military Science will work with the co-op coordinators to allow co-op Cadets to attend this training

Uniforms worn during Leadership Laboratory periods and leadership development exercises are issued free of charge to all students enrolled in ROTC. Students are responsible for maintaining the uniforms and returning them upon commissioning or leaving the program.

Students who satisfactorily complete ROTC course requirements are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard. Drexel graduates who receive their commission through ROTC may apply for a commission in any branch of the Army for which they are qualified.

Further information on the scholarships and Army ROTC is available from the Drexel University ROTC Battalion at 267-359-6300.