Overview
What is Army ROTC?
Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) is a program which can enhance your education by providing unique leadership and management experience. It helps you develop the qualities necessary for success in either a military or civilian career. Students are given a valuable opportunity to build for the future by earning a college degree and an Army Officer’s commission at the same time.
Army ROTC training establishes an essential difference between ROTC and other college graduates. Army ROTC cadets are taught to be leaders and are provided hands on experience in managing physical, financial, and human resources. They often possess a higher level of self-confidence and superior decision making abilities. Employers value these leadership qualities and prefer them in the people they hire. That’s why ROTC students frequently begin their civilian careers at a higher level of responsibility than other college graduates and often go on to even higher levels of success. Eight point five percent of the Fortune 500 CEOs are prior military officers.
Your membership in ROTC says a lot about you. It says that you accept the challenges and responsibilities of leadership, that you enjoy teamwork, and shared success. It also shows that you’re concerned about your future and your country’s future. Whether you stay in the Army for five years or 20, the Army offers a myriad of opportunities that will always serve as a feather in your cap.
The Curriculum
Army ROTC offers both a four-year and two-year program. The four-year Army ROTC program is divided into two parts called the Cadet Summer Training Basic Camp and Advanced Camp.
The Basic Camp is usually taken during the first two years of college and is offered with NO military obligation. It covers subjects such as leadership development, military history, and the customs and traditions of the service. It also includes physical fitness training.
Students who demonstrate the potential to become Army officers and who meet the physical and scholastic standards are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Camp. Here you receive instruction in management, tactics, professionalism and ethics and further leadership development skills. The Advanced Camp includes six weeks of paid training the summer between your junior and senior years.
The two-year program is a special program for junior and community college graduates or students as well as veterans who did not take Army ROTC during their first two years of college.
To enter the two-year program, a student first participates in five weeks of basic leadership instruction at Basic Camp. This usually takes place the summer between their sophomore and junior years. Students are paid for attending and have the opportunity to compete for two-year scholarships. Students are then enrolled in the Advanced Camp after successfully completing Basic Camp.
Scholarships
Army ROTC offers four, three, and two-year scholarships. These scholarships pay most or all of your tuition as well as a flat rate for textbooks and classroom supplies. Each scholarship also includes a monthly stipend ranging from $300 - $500 paid directly to the student.
Special scholarship consideration is given to students pursuing degrees in nursing, engineering and physical sciences, and other technical skills currently in demand in the Army.
Additional pay incentives of up to $1300.00 per month for joining the Army National Guard while also enrolled in ROTC is also available for selected students.
Veterans
If you’re a veteran, you may use your prior military experience as credit for Basic Camp. You’ll also be able to take full advantage of all the veteran’s benefits you’ve accrued in addition to the financial aid you’ll receive in the Army.
Army ROTC at the University of Utah
Since 1891, the University of Utah has offered military instruction. In 1919, the university officially instated Army ROTC , and students have continuously benefited from the military leadership training offered.
Incoming freshmen are especially encouraged to take the Basic Camp as they transition from high school to college. These virtually “no pressure” courses allow the student a chance to explore the role of the military in today’s American society while earning college credit (completion of both the Basic Camp and Advanced Camp courses earns a minor in military science).
Military science classes take the student into the beautiful western surroundings for instruction in mountaineering, rappelling, land navigation, marksmanship, and water safety. These activities help the student form lasting friendships with others from diverse backgrounds but similar interests. Upper class cadets willingly help freshmen to adjust to college life.
Sophomores and transfer students will also benefit from the Basic Camp, and enrolled students may compete for two or three-year scholarships. Veterans and Reservists are likewise welcome to take the Basic Camp before making a commitment to the Advanced Camp.
Beyond actual classes, students may participate in Army intramural sports, Ranger Challenge teams, or become a part of the Ute Scouts or the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society, as well as compete for Airborne or Air Assault training.
The UTE Warriors
All students enrolled in Army ROTC at the University of Utah are cadets in the UTE Warrior Program. The mission of the Military Science Department is to commission qualified officers for the Total Army Force. The cadre accomplish this by providing dynamic instruction, motivated learning experiences, positive involvement in realistic training exercises and leadership opportunities. Cadets obtain academic credibility, military educational development, and successful completion of Advanced Camp while in pursuit of an academic degree.
The UTE Warrior name exemplifies the key and significant traits that are instilled in the cadets commissioned in this program. The following describes the true meaning of the UTE Warrior:
“One engaged or experienced in warfare or close combat…a person of demonstrated courage, fortitude, zeal, and pugnacity…ready to respond to any challenge with aggressiveness.”
Each cadet is required to memorize the Soldier's Creed. In this way, the creed becomes a living reaffirmation of our purpose in the Army ROTC program.
The UTE Warrior Program is organized much in the same manner as a regular army detachment. It is comprised of a headquarters/staff detachment and one company. Each platoon contains cadets from the military science I, II, III, and IV classes. It is commanded and staffed by Advanced Camp students.
The authority to exercise command is vested in cadet officers and noncommissioned officers. The responsibility of order and discipline is the duty of the senior cadet present. The chain of command for communication between cadets and the Professor of Military Science and her staff will be through the cadet detachment commander.
Advanced Camp cadets, under the direct supervision of the cadre, are responsible for implementing the ROTC training program. This responsibility includes planning and execution of leadership laboratories, field training exercises, extracurricular activities including color guard, and some classroom instruction.
The Department of Military Science
The Professor of Military Science is an active duty officer that heads the UTE Warrior Program.
Other officers assigned as faculty to the Professor of Military Science are called Assistant Professors of Military Science. These officers conduct courses of instruction, perform necessary administrative functions, advise cadets, and monitor the various activities sponsored by the Military Science Department.
Noncommissioned officers are assigned to conduct courses of instruction, perform necessary administrative responsibilities, conduct physical fitness training and drill and ceremony, conduct counseling, provide tactical expertise, and perform other duties as directed by the Professor of Military Science.
Civilian employees include administrative and logistics support personnel.
The Department of Military Science is located on the University of Utah campus on Fort Douglas, 255 Fort Douglas Blvd, Bldg 638 (historical PX bldg.), Salt Lake City, Utah 84113. rotc@milsci.utah.edu
The UTE Warrior Coin
Since 2001, commissioned lieutenants and distinguished individuals have been presented this coin. UofU Army ROTC includes cadre and cadets from Westminster University and Salt Lake Community College.
On one side of the coin is the Army ROTC shield signifying our overall mission of National Defense. The shield is colored in the Army Gold and Black, with a Lamp indicating Pursuit of Knowlege, a Helmet indicating a Warrior Leader, a Sword indicating Courage and Gallantry and the ROTC motto: LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE representing the moral responsibility each officer has to this nation. Underneath the shield is the UTE Warrior motto: Setting the Standard.
On the other side the University red U. The school colors red, black and grey and the feathers.
The Coin Tradition
Most Army units mint a coin that represents their unit. The unit crest and motto are commonly engraved to serve as a reminder of the unit and the honor of serving therein. Depending on the unit, the coins are given to all assigned members and to distinguished military and civilian personnel who perform direct missions or tasks in support of the unit. Sometimes only certain individuals are singled out for the Unit Coin. The intent is to honor the past, those who brought distinct credit to the unit, and those who uphold that same pride and distinction today. The coin is to be readily available, especially at functions where it is customary to drink toasts to the unit, its soldiers and its memory.
Soldiers consider holding a coin an honor. Any individual possessing a coin can issue a challenge to another individual he or she believes received a similar coin. If the individual has received the coin, but cannot produce it, the individual must buy the challenger a drink. This can also include drinks for all present who wish to participate in a toast to the unit. However, if the challenged individual produces the coin, then the challenger has the honor of purchasing the drinks for all present. In certain group settings, those who have coins will not be required to buy, while those who have failed to bring their coins will buy for all present. The intent is for the challenge to happen only once in each setting. It is wise to be careful when presenting a challenge and to have a good memory. Most who have had to purchase drinks, will make an effort to return the favor at some future occasion.