Do you have what it takes to join ROTC and become a leader?

See our eligibility requirements below.
Not sure if you qualify, contact us to find out, each case is unique.

ROTC Basic Course Eligibility:

Are you a student at the university?

Then you can take any 100 or 200 level ROTC class!

ROTC "Contracting" Eligibility:  Want to "contract" with ROTC and become a U.S. Army Officer, then you must meet these criteria:

Be enrolled full time AND have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (2.5 if applying for a scholarship).

Will be younger than 30 at the time of commissioning.

Be a US Citizen.

Never used illicit chemical substances or drugs.

Have good moral character (no record of criminal arrest or conviction).

Meet Army tattoo policy.

Pass a medical exam.

Meet Army height and weight requirements.

Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (take our physical fitness class and we can help you to succeed).

 

Do you have questions about ROTC?

See our frequently asked questions below.
Want to know more?  Is your question not listed?  Give us a call.

Q. By enrolling in ROTC are you joining the Army?

A. No. Students who enroll in ROTC don't automatically join the Army. They take an ROTC class for which they receive credit.  There is no obligation just for taking a 100 or 200 level ROTC class.

Q. Is ROTC a major?

A. No, ROTC classes are general electives.  Our cadets study any major they want.

Q. When will I become obligated to the Army if I join ROTC?

A. Only when you sign a contract with ROTC.  This can be as late as the beginning of the junior year of college.

Q. How much time does ROTC take up weekly?

A. ROTC classes each semester add up to 4 credit hours. Out-of-class requirements are minimal and most are voluntary.

Q. What can students expect to learn by taking ROTC?

A. Quite simply, the leadership and management skills needed to become a U.S. Army officer or have a successful civilian career. During the Basic Course (first two years), your studies will include basic leadership development, basic military skills, adventure training, and life skills. During the Advanced Course (last two years), your studies will include advanced leadership and management skills, planning, and Army ethics.

Q. What makes ROTC different from regular college management courses?

A. Students in ROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, a ROTC cadet might be found leading classmates through rough terrain in the woods or through a team building exercise on the campus grounds.

Q. On what basis are scholarship winners chosen?

A. ROTC scholarships are not based on financial need. Instead, they're awarded on merit. Merit is exhibited in academic achievement and extracurricular activities, such as sports, student government or part-time work. There are a variety of scholarships, tuition, and housing assistance available to students.

Q. Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?

A. Almost any student can enroll in ROTC, regardless of whether you're a scholarship winner or not.

Q.  If I enroll in ROTC and see the program all the way through, do I have to go on active duty in the Army?

A.  No, we have options that allow ROTC graduates to serve their obligation as officers in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves.

Taking ROTC means you take 3 classes (3-4 total credit hours) of Military Science classes per semester as part of your overall academic plan.
 
We are not a major, we are a course of instruction you take in addition to studying any academic discipline you choose.
See the classes below!

 

Freshmen **OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS WITH NO OBLIGATION TO THE U.S. ARMY**
Fall Semester M SC 101 (class) M SC 103 (lab) M SC 150 (physical training)	Spring Semester M SC 102 (class) M SC 104 (lab) M SC 151 (physical training)
Sophomores **OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS WITH NO OBLIGATION TO THE U.S. ARMY**
Fall Semester M SC 201 (class) M SC 203 (lab) M SC 250 (physical training)	Spring Semester M SC 202 (class) M SC 204 (lab) M SC 251 (physical training)
Juniors **RESTRICTED ENROLLMENT**
Fall Semester M SC 301 (class) M SC 303 (lab) M SC 350 (physical training)	Spring Semester M SC 302 (class) M SC 304 (lab) M SC 351 (physical training)
Seniors **RESTRICTED ENROLLMENT**
Fall Semester M SC 401 (class) M SC 403 (lab) M SC 450 (physical training)	Spring Semester M SC 402 (class) M SC 404 (lab) M SC 451 (physical training)
Anytime before Graduation
HIST 208: American History from 1865 (also meets GEN ED requirements)

We're looking for the best and brightest, those with good grades, athletic ability, and dedication. 

ROTC scholarships pay tuition and fees OR room and board ($12,000 annually), PLUS $1,200 a year for books.

Click the here to learn more.

Select Cadets are eligible to participate in a number of physically demanding and mentally tough courses.
 
All summer training events are designed to develop and build upon the students' critical thinking and leadership skills.
Click on a link below to check out the courses.
 

Basic Camp:  Selected Cadets will attend Basic Camp during the summer after their Freshman or Sophomore year.

Advanced Camp:  All contracted Cadets will attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their Junior and Senior Years.


Contracted Cadets can also compete for these additional summer training opportunities:

Airborne School

Air Assault School

Cadet Internships

Mission Statement
 
The Yellow Jacket Battalion commissions Second Lieutenants from WVSU each year to provide high quality officers for service to our Nation and the U.S. Army

Military Science 100 Level Learning Objectives:  The MS 100 Course produces a Cadet who understands the basic structure of the US Army and its’ customs and courtesies; accepts the Army as a Values - based organization and embraces the scholar-athlete-warrior ethos; who is familiar with individual roles and responsibilities in support of team efforts; who demonstrates oral and written communications skills, understands resilience and develops a commitment to learning. In addition, demonstrates introductory skills in fieldcraft and tactics at squad level.

Military Science 200 Level Learning Objectives:  The MS 200 Course produces a Cadet grounded in foundational leadership doctrine and skills by following and leading small units to achieve assigned missions; who comprehends critical thinking and problem solving using TLPs; who comprehends the value of diversity and understands the officer’s role in leading change; and understands the fundamentals of the Army as a profession.

Military Science 300 Level Learning Objectives:  The MS 300 Course produces a Cadet who possesses enhanced individual and collective skills including leader competencies; effectively leads formations at the squad and platoon level in a variety of military and non-military mission context scenarios; effective at receiving and giving peer evaluations; who is committed and disciplined ethically, academically, physically, and socially.

Military Science 400 Level Learning Objectives:  The MS 400 Course produces a leader of character possessing a professional identity; thrives in operationally ambiguous environments; is a moral exemplar and is prepared to be an Army leader, skilled critical thinker, problem solver, and team builder; skilled oral and written communicator committed to the Army ethic and profession; who has advanced interpersonal skill, knowledge of training management, and understands Army Doctrine; is culturally aware and displays characteristics of a lifelong learner.
 

ROTC commissions officers for the Regular Army, National Guard, and Army Reserves.

There are multiple paths to join ROTC, tailored to the circumstances of each student.   It is generally a 4 year program, but in some cases it can be completed in as little as 2 years.
Read about the options below.
 

Basic Program (Progression)
 
This is the basic ROTC program and it is completed while the prospective cadet is pursuing his/her degree. It consists of two parts, the Basic Course and the Advanced Course.

The Basic Course consists of the freshman and sophomore ROTC classes. During the Basic Course, the prospective cadet is not obligated to the US Army in any way, and receives no financial incentives or compensation.

The Advanced Course consists of the junior and senior ROTC classes, and at this point the cadet must sign a contract and obligate himself/herself to accept a commission in the US Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard (which type of commission is determined during the senior year by a centralized board, with no guarantees as to which component a cadet will commission).

 
Lateral Entry
 
Veterans, members of the Guard or Reserves, and some other select personnel may be eligible to enter the ROTC Advanced Course directly.

Must have ROTC Basic Course placement credit (the most common is prior service in any branch of the military or current membership in the Guard/Reserves).

Must have at least 2 years of college remaining on entry into the ROTC Advanced Course.

 
Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
 
A subset of the Lateral Entry program.  Under this program a cadet is in ROTC, pursuing a commission, and is also a member of the National Guard or Army Reserve.  The prospective cadet can take the freshman ROTC classes, but is not eligible to sign an ROTC contract until he/she is at least an academic sophomore.

Prospective SMP cadets must already be in the National Guard or Army Reserve, or be willing to enlist prior to joining ROTC.

No earlier than the sophomore year, but no later than the junior year of college, the cadet must sign a contract and obligate himself/herself to accept a commission in the US Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard.

While completing the ROTC program, the SMP cadet continues to train with his/her National Guard or Reserve unit, receives drill pay, and retains most education benefits.

Basic Camp

Students with no prior military who did not take all of the 100 or 200 level ROTC courses may be eligible to attend Basic Camp over the summer at Fort Knox, KY.  There is no obligation just for attending, and students are paid while they train.

Basic camp is a 4 week Basic Training like program of instruction designed to prepare Cadets to return to Campus and enter directly into the 300 level ROTC courses.

Students must have no more than 2 1/2 years of school left to be eligible for Basic Camp.

ROTC Cadets can serve in one of 18 career fields or "branches" once commissioned.

Opportunities as a U.S. Army Officer are varied and suit all interests and abilities, click the link to see the potential options. 

U.S. Army Basic Branches

The Yellow Jacket Battalion has a rich history that boasts 15 General Officer alumni! View their bios!

In total, our Hall of Fame has over 150 members!  Know a WVSU ROTC alumni who might qualify for the Hall of Fame?  Read the by-laws to learn the criteria.  Download the nomination form.

Contact Mr. Duncan Robinson at duncan.robinson62@yahoo.com to submit a nomination.

To learn more about supporting ROTC at West Virginia State University, please click here.