What Is ROTC

What Is ROTC

Army ROTC is the college elective that trains the Army's future commissioned officers. ROTC combines classroom work with practical instruction on how to take charge and take command thus providing skills that can help you succeed in either a military or civilian career.

Army ROTC is traditionally a Four-year Program, which is divided into two parts: a Basic Course and an Advanced Course. The Basic Course is normally taken in your freshman and sophomore years. The Advanced Course is usually taken during your two final years of college and includes a paid four-week Leadership, Development and Assessment Course that is normally attended in the summer between your junior and senior years.

Your first step into the Two-year Program is the Leader's Training Course, a fully-paid, four-week training camp, normally attended between the sophomore and junior years of college. This is where you'll learn basic military skills through hands-on practice, and acquire knowledge other cadets may have gained through two years of on-campus ROTC classroom and leadership lab experiences

About ASU ROTC...

Army ROTC was in initially established at Arkansas State University as an artillery unit in January 1936, with basic course being mandatory instruction for all male students. In September of 1952, ASU lost affiliation with the artillery branch when selected as one of the thirty institutions to test the general military science curriculum, The G.M.S program has remained in effect to date. The result is that ASU commissioned officers have the opportunity to serve in any branch of the U.S. ARMY, depending on their personal desires and qualifications, and the needs of the ARMY.

The mandatory feature of the program was discontinued in 1971, resulting in a state of change in the program at ASU. The program has evolved from a comprehensive one, involving almost the entire male student body, to an incentive driven, voluntary, passive recruiting orientation, and is now oriented to quality production based on active recruiting. Several ASU ROTC graduates (COMMISSIONED OFFICERS) have risen to prominence in and out of the ARMY. Two have achieved the rank of Major general, many more have achieved the ranks of Brigadier General and Colonel, and one has received the Congressional Medal Of Honor. Others have become prominent citizens and businessmen. The last president of ASU (Dr. Eugene Smith) was commissioned a Field Artillery Lieutenant in 1952 here, he served as the President of ASU twice with his last stint beginning in February of 1992.

In addition to those noted above, many ASU ROTC graduates have become State Senators, ASU faculty members, leaders within the business community, members of the Arkansas National Guard and many are still on active duty today.

Check out this year's Ranger Challenge team...