Military Science and Leadership

ROTC cadets doing pushups in front of fireworks

About

Army ROTC is one of the best leadership programs in the country and is part of your college curriculum. During classes and field training, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead others and motivate groups, as well as how to conduct missions as an officer in the Army.

Army ROTC is a program designed to allow you to earn an officer's commission in the United States Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve concurrently with your degree of choice. Officers are commissioned in the grade of Second Lieutenant immediately upon completing ROTC and degree requirements.

Department of Military Science and Leadership
Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5249 USA
(269) 387-8120

Which program is best for me?

You may take the first two years of Army ROTC at Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University without military obligation. To be in ROTC, simply sign up to take the military science class during orientation. High school students interested in applying for Army ROTC scholarships may do so beginning in June of the summer between their junior and senior year.

If you have at least two academic years remaining before completing your degree, you may qualify for a four-, three- or two-year Army ROTC program. The program you enter will be determined by your academic standing and any previous military experience.

If you have less than three academic years remaining before you graduate, you may proceed with the two-year Army ROTC program. The two-year program has several means by which you can earn constructive credit for the first two years of ROTC.

Graduate students are eligible to complete the two-year ROTC program and compete for scholarships.

If you are an enlisted soldier, you may be eligible for the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). The SMP gives eligible enlisted members an opportunity to maintain status in their reserve component while simultaneously attending college and working toward a commission as an officer. You receive the same training as other cadets in your ROTC classes but have the added advantage of receiving leadership training and development with your unit. During this time, you serve as an officer apprentice when attending monthly training assemblies and may be eligible to receive multiple financial support opportunities through the Army and WMU.

The Army Green to Gold program is designed to offer active-duty enlisted soldiers like you the opportunity to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree or a master鈥檚 degree and their commission as an officer. There are multiple ways through the Green to Gold program to earn a degree while serving, and our office can help you determine which option is right for you.

Military science and leadership minor

A minor in military science and leadership is not a requirement in order to commission, but is highly recommended, as course topics help you develop valuable skills.

Additional requirements

Basic Camp

As a sophomore or transfer student, you鈥檒l practice becoming a leader in a team setting while getting helpful feedback to grow. Basic Camp is a 32-day intensive training event.

Advanced Camp

As a junior or senior, you鈥檒l be trained and tested through leadership development exercises in real-world scenarios. Advanced Camp is a 35-day rigorous field training event during the summer鈥攁nd the most significant in your ROTC journey鈥攚hich you must pass to qualify as an Army officer.

Commitment

You may take the first two years of Army ROTC at WMU without military obligation. If you decide that becoming an officer and leader in the Army is right for you:

  • You will serve full time in the active Army for three years (four years for scholarship recipients).
  • You may choose to serve part time in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career for six years (eight years for scholarship recipients).

Lt. Col. Hinterman presenting an official document to a newly commissioned army officer.

Flexibility for you through our partnership schools

Student standing outside with a backdrop of downtown Grand Rapids bridge and tall buildings.

Army ROTC is offered to students in the Grand Rapids area at Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University's Grand Rapids regional location through partnerships with the following schools:

  • Calvin College
  • Davenport University
  • Grand Valley State University

Students who attend full time at Calvin College or Davenport University must be accepted to WMU as a guest student. Grand Valley State University students can register for ROTC classes through GVSU.

Fill out WMU's online guest application and select that you "want to take classes at WMU to transfer back to my college." If you need any assistance completing the guest application, please contact us.

Interested in nursing?

If you're considering an undergraduate nursing degree at WMU or any of our partnership schools, enrolling in Army ROTC can enhance your leadership skills and critical thinking abilities while providing financial support to help make your professional goals a reality.

Being a nurse in the Army provides you with unique opportunities including a three-week paid Nurse Summer Training Program, which introduces students to the and the roles and responsibilities of an .

Yet another advantage of joining ROTC is that Bronco Battalion has two upper-division nursing spots guaranteed every year in WMU's highly competitive nursing program.

WMU student with stethoscope resting around his neck.

Connect with us

Whether you still have questions or are ready to soldier up, our scholarship and enrollment officer is ready to assist.
Email Billy Clayton