Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It prepares you with the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition, too. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be an Officer in the Army.

 

 

 

 

STUDENTS GUIDE TO THE RESERVE OFFICER’S TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)

1. PURPOSE:  This guide will provide you with the basic information concerning the Army ROTC program at Penn State.  It should help facilitate advising students about the program and inform them of the scholarships available.

2.  SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:  Two, three, and four-year scholarships are available depending on when the student applies.  These scholarships do not count against NCAA scholarships allotted to the individual sports team.  All of them cover the following:
               
 Full tuition for both in state and out of state students
                 $1,200.00 for books annually
                 From $350.00 to $500.00 monthly stipend (10 months/year)
                 All mandatory fees (Computer Lab Fee, Activity Lab Fee, etc.)

Upon graduation he/she will receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Active, National Guard, or Reserve Components of the Army.

3.  FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORE PROGRAMS:

                 Physical Training three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
                 Class once a week (50 minutes)
                 Leadership Lab once a week (2 Hours)
                 1 Field Training Exercise a Semester
                 NO MILITARY OBLIGATION (unless scholarship)
                 Scholarship Opportunities (4, 3, 2 year)
                 Focuses on the organization, function, and history of the Army.
                 Develops Leadership and public speaking skills
                 Receive a $300.00 stipend per month as a freshmen and $350.00 as a sophomore stipend per month (10 months/year) with 
                  a Scholarship.
                 If joining the program as a sophomore, attend Leadership Training Course (3-4 week adventure training following the 
                   sophomore year, held at Fort Knox, KY)

4. JUNIOR PROGRAM

                 Physical Training three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
                 Class twice a week (50 minutes each)
                 Leadership Lab once a week (2 Hours)
                 Graded Leadership Positions
                 Receive $450 stipend per month (10 months/year) regardless of scholarship
                 Advanced Leadership and Public Speaking Training
                 Leadership Development and Assessment Course (4 week training following the junior year, held at Fort Lewis, WA)
                 If joining the program as a junior, contact us for alternate entry options.

5.  SENIOR PROGRAM
               
                 Physical Training three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
                 Same class schedule as juniors
 Leadership Lab once a week (2 Hours)
                 Receive $500 stipend per month (10 months/year) regardless of scholarship
                 Advanced leadership training
                 Plan and organize training for underclassmen
                 Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon Graduation

 

 

6.  LEADERSHIP LABS

                Leadership labs are held every Thursday for two hours during the semester. This is an opportunity for Cadets to apply classroom lessons to practical hands on training environment.  Lab topics include obvious related Army training such as military customs and courtesies, land navigation, basic tactics, first aid, and communications.  Less obvious topics may include delivering orders to a unit (public speaking) or using Internet resources for military purposes.  Whatever the day’s lesson it is sure to challenge and enrich the individual. 

7.  PHYSICAL TRAINING

                We understand that athletes have their own fitness schedule that is much more rigorous than what we provide.  This would allow the athlete to be excused from ROTC physical training and substitute the athlete’s personal fitness schedule for the ROTC PT program.  Physical training is held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings for one hour.  It is designed to develop muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.  Exercises usually include running, push-ups, sit-ups, and possibly sports.  The student will be responsible for doing PT on his/her own during the rest of the week.  This allows students to alter their personal PT schedule to fit their own individual academic schedule.  This also allows students to vary their PT according to their own personal fitness needs.  Each month an Army Physical Fitness Test will be administered to determine the level of fitness of the student and determine if he/she is improving.  This system allows everyone to improve their conditioning at their own pace while boosting self-confidence.

8. CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

                ROTC offers a wide variety of clubs and activities to Cadets.  The clubs available include the Ranger Challenge Club, Lions Guard Drill Team, The Scabbard and Blade Honor Society, and the Adventure Club.  Each of these organizations offers diverse opportunities and experiences that allow Cadets to pursue their interests.  All clubs are run by Cadets, allowing the students to have primary input concerning their activities.
                In addition to the clubs available, there are also opportunities for Cadets to participate in other ROTC sponsored activities.  In recent years this has included a number of trips to national monuments and historic landmarks such as Washington D.C., and Gettysburg.  These trips allow Cadets to not only learn about the historic aspects of the places, but also give them a chance to socialize outside of the school environment.

9. EXTRA MILITARY TRAINING

                Cadets may attend volunteer training such as Airborne, Air Assault, and Mountain Warfare courses.  Other Cadets may participate in leadership internships with various military units around the world.  These additional training opportunities allow Cadets to further their knowledge and better prepare them for commissioning as a Second Lieutenant.

10.  AFTER GRADUATION

                Upon completion of the ROTC program and degree requirements individuals may be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or the National Guard.  As an officer in one of these services an individual will receive many benefits and opportunities.  These consist of a salary that includes housing and subsistence allowances, thirty days paid vacation annually, and the opportunity to serve in a number of locations around the world.  Additionally if the individual decides to leave the service after their initial term, they will be equipped with an impressive resume to take to civilian employers.  On the other hand, officers that stay in the Army for twenty years are eligible to retire and receive all entitled benefits.

11.  IMPORTANT REMINDERS

                 THERE IS NO MILITARY COMMITMENT AS A FRESHMEN OR SOPHOMORE
                 FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES THAT ARE NOT REWARDED 3-4 YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS CAN REAPPLY
                    FOR 2 YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS
                 A STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A SCHOLARSHIP WINNER TO ENROLL IN THE CLASS
                 THE ARMY ROTC PROGRAM CAN FLEX IN ANY WAY TO ACCOMMODATE AN ATHLETE OR ACADEMIC
                  SCHOLAR

FOR MORE INFORMATION
        
       Call Army ROTC for LTC Lysinger (rjl27@psu.edu),  or call us toll free 1-866-558-3513