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Reserve Officers' Training Corps Programs

Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The purpose of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Drexel University is to provide this nation with leaders of character for our Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard. ROTC training is also intended to foster ideals of patriotism; promote an understanding of the role of the citizen-soldier; stimulate interest in a military career; and develop character, self-discipline, and leadership ability. Army ROTC is a college elective, and enrollment does not require military service.

Students can apply for on-campus 4-year, 3-year and 2-year scholarships here at Drexel. As of January 1, 2006, all Army ROTC scholarships at Drexel cover full tuition and fees. Additionally, as of September 1, 2006, Army ROTC scholarship winners also will receive free room (in dorm of choice on campus) and a 25% discount on Drexel’s meal plan. These additional incentives total in excess of $7500 annually. For example, a 3-year Army ROTC scholarship at Drexel, including these incentives plus monthly stipend and quarterly textbook stipend is worth over $135,000 over 4-years. In order to be offered a scholarship, students must meet certain physical fitness and academic requirements.

Students who satisfactorily complete ROTC course requirements are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard. Drexel graduates who receive their commission through ROTC may apply for a commission in any branch of the Army for which they are qualified.

The military science program is divided into the basic course and the advanced course. The basic course normally coincides with the student’s first two years of college. The purpose of the course is threefold: to develop certain military skills, to give the student sufficient information to decide whether to continue in the advanced course, and to allow the instructors an opportunity to evaluate the student’s potential to become an officer. It consists of four or five military science courses and weekly attendance at Leadership Laboratories each term the cadet is in school. Except for scholarship cadets, no military obligation is incurred by students participating in these courses. Basic course credit may be granted to students who successfully complete a five-week leader’s training course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, between the sophomore and junior years. Veterans may also receive credit for the basic course.

The advanced course is designed to prepare students for commissioned service. The first year of instruction (first two years for co-op students) is directed toward preparation for the32-day National Advanced Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis, Washington. The final year is devoted to preparation for acceptance of a commission.

To be admitted to the advanced course, a student must have credit for the two-year basic course, must volunteer, must be selected by the professor of military science, and must successfully complete the required screening and physical tests.

Enlisted Army Reservists and National Guardsmen may apply for the Simultaneous Membership program, which permits them to serve as officer trainees with their units and receive commissions upon completion of the ROTC advanced course. Veterans’ benefits are not affected by entry into this program, in most cases.

Airborne training, helicopter air assault training, mountain warfare, Northern Warfare training, and Cadet Troop Leadership Training with a Regular Army unit are available to interested cadets.

Twice per school year, cadets are required to participate in a field training exercise. These exercises are usually two to three days in duration and are conducted at Fort Dix, New Jersey, or Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The field training exercises give students a chance to put into practice skills learned in the classroom and during Leadership Laboratories.

Uniforms—worn during Leadership Laboratory periods and field training exercises—are issued free of charge to all students enrolled in ROTC. Students are responsible for maintaining the uniforms and returning them prior to going on co-op.

A student does not have to be enrolled in ROTC to apply for scholarships. Further information on the scholarships and Army ROTC is available from the Department of Military Science at 215-590-8808/09 or.


Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Students are eligible to participate in the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps  (NROTC) through a cross-enrollment agreement with the University of Pennsylvania. All naval science courses are held on Penn’s campus. The NROTC program enables a college student to earn a commission in the Navy or the Marine Corps while concurrently satisfying requirements for his or her baccalaureate degree. Scholarship and nonscholarship programs are available.

Navy-option scholarship and college program (nonscholarship) students must enroll in Naval Science (NSCI) 101 and 102 during their freshman year, NSCI 201 and 202 during their sophomore year, NSCI 301 and 302 in their junior year, and NSCI 401 and 402 in their senior year. Those seeking commissions in the Marine Corps will enroll in NSCI 310 and 410 instead of 301-302 and 401-402.

Scholarship program students must complete one year of calculus, one year of calculus-based physics, a course in computer science, one course in American military history/national security policy, and one year of English. College program students must complete one year of college-level algebra, one year of physical science courses, one semester of a computer science course, and one year of English. Students must check with their naval science instructors to determine specific courses that fulfill the above requirements.

In addition to the above, all students are required to attend a two-hour professional laboratory period scheduled on Wednesday afternoons (no academic credit) that emphasizes military drill, physical fitness, and leadership/military topics.

For further information regarding physical and other qualifications for admission and other matters pertaining to participation in the NROTC program, you can write to the Professor of Naval Science, NROTC Unit, Hollenback Center, 3000 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 215-898-7436; fax: 215-573-2067.

Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Students are eligible to participate in the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps  (AFROTC) through a cross-enrollment agreement with St. Joseph's University. All aerospace studies courses will be held on the St. Joseph's campus. The AFROTC program enables a college student to earn a commission as an Air Force officer while concurrently satisfying requirements for his or her baccalaureate degree.

The program of aerospace studies at St. Joseph's University offers one-year, two-year, and four-year curricula leading to a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. In the four-year curriculum, a student takes the General Military Course (GMC) during the freshman and sophomore years, attends a four-week summer training program, and then takes the Professional Officer Course (POC) in the junior and senior years. A student is under no contractual obligation to the Air Force until entering the POC or accepting an Air Force scholarship. In the two-year curriculum, a student attends a five-week summer training program and then enters the POC in the junior year. In the one-year curriculum, a senior or graduate student can enroll in aerospace studies and, after completing the undergraduate degree or graduate coursework, attend a seven-week summer training program and be commissioned upon completion of summer training.

The subject matter of the freshman and sophomore years is developed from a historical perspective and focuses on the scope, structure, and history of military power, with an emphasis on the development of air power. During the junior and senior years, the curriculum concentrates on the concepts and practices of leadership and management, and the role of national security forces in contemporary American society.

In addition to the academic portion of the curricula, each student participates in a leadership laboratory for two hours each week, during which the day-to-day skills and working environment of the Air Force are discussed and explained. The leadership lab utilizes a student organization designed for the practice of leadership and management techniques.

Air Force ROTC offers one-, two-, and three-year scholarships on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. All scholarships cover tuition, lab fees, and books, plus a tax-free monthly stipend. All members of the POC, regardless of scholarship status, receive the tax-free monthly stipend.

For further information on the cross-enrollment program, scholarships, and career opportunities, contact the Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Det 750, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19131; 610-660-3190; rotc@sju.edu.