Penn State has had a proud ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) tradition since 1916. Our programs are the largest in the Big Ten and consistently rank among the top in the nation in terms of size, viability, and officer production.

ROTC is a training program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become leaders in the armed forces while completing a university degree. In ROTC, you can compete for valuable scholarships and earn both a commission as an officer and a chance to serve your country—all while learning leadership, management, and communication skills sought by today's employers.

Penn State ROTC consists of three programs: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Interested students choose one of the three and take the appropriate sequence of courses. Upon completing the program, qualified students are commissioned as a second lieutenant or ensign, then serve either four years of active duty or eight years in the reserves.

All students may take ROTC courses, even if they do not want to earn a commission. These classes can be easily scheduled, and at least six credits can be applied toward degree requirements for any Penn State major. There is no military obligation for taking ROTC courses.