Military Science/Reserve Officers' Training Corps
General
R.O.T.C. is a leadership development program culminating in a commission (if offered) as an officer in the United States Army. Offered at EIU since 1980, R.O.T.C. can be completed by students majoring in any field of study offered by the University. Entry into the program can be accomplished in the freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year. The program is conducted in two segments; the Basic course and the Advanced course. Full room and board plus tuition scholarships are available to qualified students. (See Financial Aid section.)
Basic Course
Normally taken in sequence during the freshman and sophomore years; however, classes can be compressed during the sophomore or junior year. Students participating in the basic course incur no military obligation.
Credit may also be granted for the basic course for certain members or prior members of the active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard upon verification of completion of basic training. Credit may also be granted by verification of completion of High School JROTC or completion of a five-week Leadership Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky (normally accomplished between the sophomore and junior years). Students attending the Leadership Training Course may receive academic credit by enrolling in Military Science 2003.
Classes consist of:
Advanced Course
Taken after the requirements for the basic course have been met.
Military Science 3003 is a five-week Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) normally taken between the junior and senior year and normally conducted at Fort Lewis, Washington. Commissioning candidates must also complete one course each in: Military history, communication skills, mathematics, and basic computer skills.
Classes consist of:
Enrollment Requirements
For the Basic Course
U.S. citizen; at least 17 years of age; physically fit; of good moral character; ability to complete program prior to reaching 28 years of age (may be waived).
For the Advanced Course
Completion of, or credit for, Basic course; at least two years of academic study remaining; sign a contract to serve as a commissioned officer in the Active Army, Army Reserves, or National Guard if offered, for a prescribed period; approval of the Chair of the Military Science Department.
Benefits of the Program
- Leadership Development
- Adventure Training
- Opportunity to compete for full tuition scholarships
- Opportunity for full room and board
- Opportunity to pay for books and all mandatory fees
- Juniors’ make $350 and Seniors’ make $400 per month subsistence while enrolled in the Advanced course
- Pay and travel reimbursement for summer camp attendance
- Commission in the United States Army, if offered.
- Student can contract with our program once he/she obtains 54 credit hours. Those freshmen and sophomores with a 2.5 cumulative GPA can apply for scholarships through the Military Science Scholarship Officers at 217-581-5944 or on the website www.eiu.edu/~armyrotc.
- High School seniors can apply for four-year Federal Scholarships by contacting: http://schlr4yr.usarmyrotc.com/rotc/schlr4yr/index.htm/.
- Sophomore students with a 2.5 cumulative GPA can apply for a Leadership Internship offered each summer with no contractual obligation.
Additional Opportunities
Under the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), enlisted members of the Army Reserve or Army National Guard may enroll in the Advanced course and continue to train with their unit.
Opportunities in Airborne, Air Assault and/or other types of Adventure training are available for qualified volunteers.
Information sourced from the 2005-2006 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.