What is Army ROTC?

Military students pose for a group photo with Central Michigan University flag. — Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) students complete the Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Custer Training Center in September.

ROTC cadets look out of a helicopter during a training exercise — Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) students complete the Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Custer Training Center in September.

Training at the Field Leaders Reaction Course

ROTC alumni attend promotion ceremony for BG Eifler. — Roommates and Ranger Team members attended BG Eifler's (CMU ROTC '90) promotion ceremony November 2017 at Ft. Drum. From L-R: Chuck Donnell '87, Kent Cartwright '89, Wayne Rider '89, BG Brian Eifler '90, Wayne Linderman '89 and Mike Boyce '87.

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) is the best leadership course in the country and is part of your college curriculum. During class and field training, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups and how to conduct missions as an officer in the Army. You can learn more by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions website or the U.S. Army Cadet Command website.

The Army officer

The ultimate embodiment of "Army Strong," commissioned officers are the leaders of the Army. They lead soldiers during every aspect of a mission. Commissioned officers are also supporters and problem solvers. They make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully and showing respect for their subordinates. Commissioned officers lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. To be a commissioned officer is to be respected as a soldier, an inspiring leader and a servant of the nation. In addition to exhibiting self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence, commissioned officers are physically fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. They are judged by their ability to make decisions on their own and bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.

Your Army ROTC journey

The first steps

The transformation begins with a personal desire to lead. The next step is making the decision to do what it takes and the motivation to stick to that decision. The Chippewa Battalion welcomes all full-time students of CMU and our partner colleges and universities to try out the program and participate in our many activities. All qualified students have the chance to pursue an officer's commission, regardless of gender, race, religion, academic year or previous military experience.

Battle buddies

All cadets of the Chippewa Battalion share a can-do mentality coupled with the motivation to succeed in all tasks presented to them. From there the Chippewa Battalion provides them with dynamic training, applied leadership, basic soldiering skills and professional development. The Chippewa Battalion also employs a cadet and cadre mentorship program to ensure that no cadet is left alone in a time of need. Cadets look out for one another in an unprecedented fashion, and the cadre seriously invests in each cadet’s overall well-being and success. Academically, socially, morally and physically each cadet of the Chippewa Battalion is given everything they need to succeed.

Choices: A leader's reward

Upon completion of Army ROTC and their academic degree, cadets receive a commission as an officer in the United States Army. They don the coveted gold bars of a second lieutenant and take a position as a leader in one of the many careers the Army offers. The experience they receive in our program and the experience they receive leading America’s Army expands the breadth and depth of acquired skills, opening up myriad opportunities for future employment.

Options available to ROTC graduates

Active duty commission

Those seeking an active duty commission can choose to enter one of 16 challenging, high-tech career fields within the Army. These officers serve a four-year commission before being presented the option to continue service or enter the civilian sector.

View Career Fields

Active duty education delay

Graduates may also choose to delay their entry into the active-duty sector to pursue advanced medical, law or theology degrees.

Reserve Forces or National Guard commission

Those who choose not to enter the active duty lifestyle may also sign a contract to enter the reserve forces. The Chippewa Battalion hosts a program that guarantees these graduates an interview with a Fortune 500 company.

PaYS Program

Lateral entry into elite government organizations

Our program also provides the necessary credentials for an individual to pursue lateral entry into America’s elite government organizations, such as the State Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Secret Service upon graduation or after completion of active duty commitment.

Opportunities upon completion of service

Graduates of our program find that officers have priority for hiring for government jobs, and many organizations and universities give preference to military officers. Nationwide, graduates of Army ROTC fill the highest positions of all branches of government (administrative, judicial and legislative), businesses, nonprofit organizations, National Security organizations, universities and professional sports. Visit our CMU Army ROTC alumni page.