Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Air Force ROTC is a college program that prepares young men and women to become leaders in the Air Force. The program consists of classes and leadership laboratories each semester to teach you about the Air Force. You will be tested mentally and physically as you acquire strong followership and leadership skills that will benefit you as an Air Force Officer and in life. Please see the Military Science section of this catalog for course information.
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Waynesburg University offers Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) instruction through a partnership program with West Virginia University (WVU). ROTC provides interested students an opportunity to acquire military experience and prepare themselves to become officers in the United State Army. Students who qualify and meet all academia and training requirements will commission as second lieutenants in the Army upon graduation. Officers serve an eight-year service obligation and enter into either active duty (minimum of three or four years), and U.S. Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. There are both two-year and four-year ROTC programs.
The four-year program consists of a basic course and an advance course, each two years in duration (see the Military Science program listed in the curriculum section of the catalog). The Basic Course is given on-campus during the freshman and sophomore years. The Advance Course requires attending some classes and training events on the WVU campus in Morgantown, WV, during the junior and senior years. There is no military commitment for students enrolled in the Basic Course; however, a student can sign a contract obligating them to complete the program and accept a commission as early as their sophomore year. There are exceptions for four- and three-year Army ROTC National Scholarship recipients.
The two-year program consists only of the Advance Course, but application must be made early in the spring session of the sophomore year to schedule training. Upon approval, applicants are required to attend a four-week cadet summer training event between their sophomore and junior years. This training (Cadet Initial Entry Training – CIET) is in addition to the normal advanced Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) described later.
Credit for all or part of the Basic Course may be awarded for prior military service or having at least three years of Junior ROTC participation in high school. See the Director of Admissions or the Office of Academic Affairs for details.
The Advance Course is the same for both the two-year and four-year programs. Students must meet established criteria to be selected for the Advance Course. Students who successfully complete the Advance Course and obtain their degree receive commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Army. Students who obtain commissions will either enter onto Active Duty or into the Reserve Components (U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard).
Students compete for the privilege to enter onto Active Duty. Early in the fourth year students are assessed on their performance in the program and overall leadership potential. The Army ten determines their officer service branch and if they enter onto active duty to serve in the Reserve Components upon graduation and commission. Students who wish to pursue a civilian career or graduate school and enter into the Reserve Component after commissioning can request a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty contract to ensure they will serve in the Reserve Components. Reserve and National Guard duty entails military training one weekend a month and two weeks of annual training during the year.
All students enrolled in the Advance Course must be contracted into the program. Once they contract, they will receive a tax-free monthly stipend. The amount of the stipend varies depending on the student’s academic year. The stipend is $450/month in the junior year and increases to $500/month in the senior years. Students only receive the stipend or a pro-rated portion in months when school is in session (not a year-round benefit).
Students enrolled in the Advance Course are required to attend the Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) and successfully complete the four-week course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Normally, students attend CLC during the summer between their junior and senior years after completing the Military Science 300 level courses (MSC 301 and 302). Students are paid while attending this camp (Approximately $32/day). All travel costs will be paid for by the Army, and students will be issued all clothing and equipment as well as being provided all meals and housing.