Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

Commander: Kenrick Smith, MAJ, USA
PMB 366, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville TN
(615) 322-8559

The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a sequential and progressive academic program that provides pre-commission training for college-educated men and women who desire to serve as commissioned officers in the active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. As the Army’s largest commissioning source, it fulfills a vital role in providing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technological Army. Admission is open to both men and women who meet mental, moral, and physical qualifications.

Training goes beyond the typical college classroom and is designed to build individual confidence and self-discipline, instill values and ethics, and develop leadership skills. The course load consists of one course per semester. Each succeeding year will address course topics in greater depth as students receive feedback on their leadership style and assume positions of greater responsibility within the program. Graduates are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and will enter active duty with follow-on employment in the Army Reserves, National Guard, or active duty. Educational delays may be granted for graduates who desire to pursue advanced degrees prior to entry on active duty.

All university students in the Nashville area may participate in the Army ROTC program at Vanderbilt University. While Vanderbilt serves as the host university, students at partnership schools are not charged additional tuition to take military science courses. Grades are transferred back to each university and added to the students’ transcripts.

Scholarships. Students can earn merit scholarships in several ways. High school seniors and graduates compete for four-year scholarships that are determined by local competition among Vanderbilt applicants. Although determined locally, the application process is centrally managed. Scholarship students receive financial benefits that cover the cost of full tuition scholarships each year, an annual $1,200 book allowance, all uniforms, and a monthly tax-free stipend beginning at $300 for freshmen and increasing to $500 for seniors. Vanderbilt University also provides Vanderbilt ROTC scholarship students an additional $3,000 tuition grant each year for room and board ($6,000 each year beginning with the class of 2013). Students who are not on scholarship receive the monthly stipend during their junior and senior years. All students enrolled in the Army ROTC program are provided textbooks and uniforms at no expense.

Contracted non-scholarship students also receive the monthly stipend from $300 to $500 depending on the academic level. For more information, see the Web site at www.armyrotc.com.

Summer training: Students have the opportunity to attend several training events over the summer.

Leadership development and assessment course (LDAC) - This five-week leadership exercise at Fort Lewis, Washington, is a commissioning requirement. This is normally done between the junior and senior years. Travel, room, and board are provided free, and cadets are paid approximately $700.

Cultural Understanding and Language Program (CULP) Internships -Students are encouraged to spend a semester, special or summer session in academic studies abroad if feasible. Special incentives are available to further attract qualified students to these valuable programs.

Cadet Troop and Leadership Training Internships (CTLT) - CTLT Internships are leadership development opportunities for students who are placed with military organizations throughout the world to gain perspective and understanding or the role of the military officer.

Cadet Professional Field Training(CPFT) - Airborne, Air Assault, Mountain Warfare, Robin Sage (US Special Forces), Helicopter Flight Training, and Sapper.

Other training opportunities exist for qualified applicants who are interested.

Commissioning and career opportunities. A commission in the U.S. Army is a distinctive honor earned through hard work, demonstrated commitment, and a desire to serve the nation. Post-graduate military education, usually starting within six months of graduation and commissioning and continuing through the officer’s service career, begins with the basic officer leadership course followed by officer basic course that qualify new lieutenants in their specific branch of service. Education delays are available for critical specialties requiring postgraduate civilian education such as law and medical degrees.