Rotc

ROTC, or Reserve Officers' Training Corps, is a college-based program in the United States that trains commissioned officers for the U.S. Armed Forces. It is offered at many colleges and universities through three main programs: Army ROTC, Navy ROTC, and Air Force ROTC.

Cadets complete a curriculum that combines academic coursework in military science with leadership laboratories, physical fitness training, and drill. They typically attend summer training—such as Army Cadet Basic Camp for Army ROTC or service-specific field training—before commissioning. Upon graduation and completion of any required field training, cadets are commissioned as officers (second lieutenants in the Army and Air Force, or ensigns in the Navy/Marine Corps), serving a service obligation that generally spans eight years, with a portion in active duty or in reserve components.

ROTC originated in the United States with the National Defense Act of 1916 as a means to produce trained officers while allowing students to pursue civilian degrees. Over the decades it has expanded and adapted through changes in funding, program structure, and service requirements. Scholarships and stipends are available to qualifying cadets, often covering tuition, fees, and living expenses in exchange for a post-graduation service commitment. The program emphasizes leadership development, ethics, and professional military education alongside academic study, providing a pathway to commissioned officer roles within the U.S. armed forces while higher education is pursued.