Army ROTC

Army

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a coeducational program dedicated to developing college-educated men and women to serve in challenging positions of leadership, responsibility, and varied managerial positions both as officers in the U.S. Army and civilians in corporate America.

Why Army ROTC?

Francis Marion University Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is dedicated to developing character and leadership in young men and women. ROTC offers unique scholarship and career opportunities focused on building leaders for our nation and helping students become leaders for life.

Like the United States Military Academy, the purpose of Army ROTC is to train and commission Army officers. For the past 14 years, FMU has produced officers for the United States Army and their names are displayed proudly on the front of our webpage. We seek talented young men and women who possess a desire to lead, a passion for service, and aspire to make an impact on the world.

FAQs

Stop by the Army ROTC office, which is located in suite 210 of the Smith University Center, or call one of the ROTC Officers at 843-661-1836.

8 YEARS

Before you go into cardiac arrest, let’s break it down a little further. These eight years can be fulfilled in a number of ways: 3 or 4 years (depending on scholarship status) on active duty, and then the remainder in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Essentially, the IRR is a non-active status with no drill requirements. The other option is 6 years in a drilling unit of the Reserves or National Guard, meeting one weekend a month and two weeks each summer followed by 2 years in the IRR. This obligation is federally mandated and is the same across all services.

YES.

The summer between your junior and senior years of college, all ROTC cadets will attend the Leadership Development and Assessment Course, otherwise known as Warrior Forge, at Fort Lewis, Washington. This 5-week leadership experience is the culmination of everything you have learned thus far and is used as an evaluation tool which determines your future as an officer. Cadets receive a stipend while attending this training. Other training opportunities are available during the summer, but Warrior Forge is the only required one.

FOR MOST STUDENTS, it is the start of your JUNIOR YEAR of college.

This is when you decide whether or not you want to pursue a commission in the Army. At this time you would sign a contract with the US Army. This applies to two-year scholarship students and all non-scholarship students in the program. A three-year or four-year scholarship winner becomes obligated at the start of their sophomore year.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Juniors and seniors along with all scholarship cadets are required to participate in Physical Fitness Training every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 AM. All other cadets are only obligated to participate on Wednesday mornings, but are encouraged to do so three days a week.

NOT ENTIRELY…

We do a good portion of our training outdoors. Some of the activities we do include hiking, rappelling, and orienteering. If you stay in the program long enough, you will have the pleasure of sleeping on the ground outdoors, but that type of training is usually done during favorable weather conditions.

NO.

No prior military or training experience is required.

Stop by the Army ROTC office, which is located in suite 210 of the Smith University Center, or call one of the ROTC Officers at 843-661-1836.

YES.

All cadets are required to wear a uniform to the ROTC classes and ROTC lab.

YES.

The Ranger Challenge team offers intense technical and tactical training in soldier skills. We also have intramural sports teams and are constantly developing new opportunities for student involvement.

DEPENDS…

Not a great deal of time for freshmen and sophomores, a little more for juniors and seniors. For freshman, lecture meets one day a week. Lecture meets twice a week for sophomores, juniors and seniors. In addition to lecture, there is a two hour lab which meets once a week and physical training sessions three mornings per week.

YES!

In fact, we highly encourage students to participate in other activities. We subscribe to the total person concept and want well-rounded individuals to lead the Army and the nation in the Twenty First century.

NO.

ROTC is taken for elective credit.

THEY’RE JUST LIKE YOU!

Mainly, they are just like any other college student. They earn an academic degree and learn to think and reason at the college level. Along the way they will learn leadership skills and have experiences that will set them apart from their peers. These skills and experiences will qualify them to become officers in the US Army. Upon graduation, they are placed in job positions as Second Lieutenants, either on active duty or in the Army Reserve or National Guard.

NO.

Military science classes are scheduled just like any other class. We have a planned curriculum to deconflict with most FMU course requirements. If a scheduling conflict arises, the instructor will make every effort to work through it with you.

FMU ROTC Alumni

No alumni from these dates have submitted updates. Be the first to submit your updates.

The following alumni from the FMU ROTC program who graduated during the 1980’s have submitted updates. Please join them by submitting your updated information.


Colonel Mark E. Powell (Aviation) is G6 for the 1st Army. Colonel Powell was commissioned in 1987. (mark.powell@wku.edu)

LTC Randy Reynolds is a 1988 graduate/ 1986 commissionee. He is currently the Assistant Commandant of the School of Geospatial-Intelligence, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Ft Belvoir, Virginia.

LTC London Jordan currently serves with the 310th Human Resources Sustainment Center at Fort Jackson, SC. He received his commission in 1985. (london.jordan@us.army.mil)

LTC Jake Kelly currently serves with the Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) in NY. He received his commission in 1981. (jacob.kelly@us.army.mil)

Major Rick Wise (retired) “Greetings to all former FMU cadre, cadets, faculty and students! It was my honor to serve at FMU from 1992-1995. I have run into many of you along life’s way in various places. I look forward to hearing from any of you, and may God Bless you and yours.” Major Wise retired after serving with the Multi-National Forces in Iraq. ( grickw23@aol.com )

The following alumni from the FMU ROTC program who graduated during the 1990’s have submitted updates. Please join them by submitting your updated information.


Bruce Mallick is a 1990 graduate/commissionee. He served as an Active Duty Field Artillery Officer with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft Campbell KY. Bruce left Active Duty and has been an Owner/Operator with Chick-fil-A since 1996. Bruce married Mary Hammet of Kingstree, SC in 1992.  They have a daughter, Laura, who is 14.

MAJ Fred Phillip is a 1996 graduate/commissionee. He is currently attending ILE at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas.

MAJ Tracy Simmons currently serves as the Operations/Plans Officer for the 108th Training Command (IET) in Charlotte, NC. She received her commission in 1992. (tracy.l.simmons@usar.army.mil)

No alumni from these dates have submitted updates. Be the first to submit your updates.

The ROTC Experience

Benefits

Army ROTC is one of the Nation’s top leadership programs, with a wide range of benefits. Through Army ROTC you can:

  • Get help with your college tuition and books with an Army ROTC Scholarship.
  • Receive a monthly stipend throughout the school year.
  • Gain Leadership experience you can’t find anywhere else.
  • Gain the respect of your peers and future employers.
  • Base pay for a Second Lieutenant is $41,727.60 starting out.

Leadership

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. 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.

Skills Development

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. Army ROTC has two phases: Basic Course and Advanced Course.

Scholarships/Financial

Whether you’re a college-bound high school student or already attending a college or university, Army ROTC has scholarships available. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s merit and grades, not financial need. Even if you don’t receive a scholarship, all cadets who make the commitment of service in the Army receive a monthly stipend during the school year.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

Cadets who enlist in the National Guard or Army Reserves can receive even more financial aid for education. Cadets will simultaneously serve in ROTC and as Soldiers in the National Guard or Reserve Component. Qualified Soldiers may also be eligible to receive the G.I. Bill in addition to the ROTC monthly stipend.

Contact Us

man standing in front of American flag in uniform

CPT Cory McGill
Assistant Professor of Military Science
Office: UC 209
Phone: 574-238-9699
Email: Cory.mcgill@fmarion.edu