Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) is one of the best leadership courses in the country and is part of your college curriculum. During classes, leadership labs, physical training, and field training exercises, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups and conduct missions as an Officer in the Army. Upon graduation from college and completion of Army ROTC, you will earn the bar of a Second Lieutenant and serve in the Active Army, the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard and become a leader for life.
Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It gives you 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. Army ROTC is an elective, you can participate in your freshman and sophomore years without any obligation to join the Army. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will receive a commission as an Officer in the Army. At that point, you will have a wide range of interest areas you can specialize in called branches.
In Army ROTC you will learn to become a leader—not just a person who gives orders but a person who leads by example. Being an Officer in the U.S. Army means you're a counselor, a strategist, and a motivator. It's similar to being a vital manager in a corporation. As an Officer, you will lead other Soldiers in all situations and adjust to environments that are always changing. You'll be driven to achieve success with your team on every mission.
When you become a part of Army ROTC, you are not just working toward a diploma, but an even brighter future as a leader alongside other motivated Cadets. But make no mistake, you're a student first. You'll have a college schedule like your fellow students, but you'll also receive classroom and field courses that will challenge and excite you. Beyond that, you can take part in events and activities with fellow Cadets that will make your college experience even better.
The specific education you receive in Army ROTC will include things like leadership development, military skills and field training. This will take place both in the classroom and in the field, but you will have a normal daily schedule like all college students. As a Cadet in the Green Mountain Battalion in a typical semester, you will participate in: one Military Studies class (Classroom 1-3 credit hours), physical fitness (Mon/Wed/Fri mornings 1-3 times a week), two leadership laboratories (2 Saturdays a semester), one Field Training Exercise – FTX (1 weekend a semester) and one social event (1 evening a semester). You may also participate in optional events such as Ranger Challenge and the Color Guard.
The specific skills you receive in Army ROTC will include things like leadership development, military skills, and adventure training. This will take place both in the classroom and in the field, but you will have a normal daily schedule like all college students. Army ROTC has two phases – Basic Course and Advanced Course.
The Basic Course normally takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. At Castleton University, it involves one elective class with accompanying labs each semester. Because of the small size of the Castleton University ROTC program, many of these classes and labs may be held at the UVM campus. You will learn basic military skills and the fundamentals of leadership, as well as start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Course without a military commitment.
The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. At Castleton University, the Advanced Course includes one elective class with accompanying labs each semester, plus a summer leadership course. Depending on the number of ROTC Cadets participating in the advanced course these classes may be held at the UVM campus. You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning, and decision-making. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.