About ROTC
Army ROTC produces high quality Officers to serve in the United States Army. It is also a college elective students may try out for up to two years with no obligation.
Unlike traditional college courses, Army ROTC gives you a wide range of experiences while you work toward a degree.
You'll combine classroom instruction with practical experience, learning skills that are sure to give you an edge over your peers when it comes time to look for a job.
Whether you're planning a career in the Army or the corporate world, Army ROTC is a smart elective course to take.
Additionally, Seattle University's ROTC Battalion has consistently been ranked in the top 10% of the 272 College ROTC programs across the nation.
Here we provide information for different students, including those entering right out of high school; how college second year students can find their place in Army ROTC; the opportunities to combine prior military service with your current college degree plans; and the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) for National Guard and United States Army Reserve Students.
ROTC consists of the Basic Course (first year and second year), which is the primary basis for entry into the Advanced Course (third year and fourth year), and the Advanced Course leads directly to service as an Army Officer. At the end of the second year, students who wish to enter the Advanced Course, but did not complete the Basic Course may attend the Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) and receive Basic Course credit. Basic Course credit is also given to students with prior military service, whether Active-Duty, National Guard or Reserve, who have completed Basic and Advanced Individual training.
The Basic Course is designed for beginning students who want to qualify for entry into the Advanced Course and for those who want to try Military Science without obligation. You will learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership, organization, and management, which will lay the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. In addition to the Military Science classes, we offer the opportunity to participate in organized physical training (PT), Leadership Excellence Orientation Labs at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, and other challenging extracurricular activities.
The Advanced Course builds on what you learned in the Basic Course. Your third year will focus on the direct application of leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and team-building skills through the execution of varied training events. Experienced instructors and fourth years Cadets will provide constant, performance-oriented feedback and mentoring to help you realize your potential. Your third year will culminate with your attendance at the Cadet Summer Training (CST). CST is where you will put all you have learned in the three prior years to the test. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the United States Army after you graduate.
Army ROTC is a unique college elective. It does not take much more of your time than most other college courses. When you graduate, you'll receive a diploma and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
ROTC training goes beyond the typical college classroom. You could be leading your classmates on a tactical "mission", or taking part in outdoor adventure training designed to improve your ability to solve problems under stress. You'll learn skills you would expect to find in an Army Officer including how to motivate co-workers, cope with the unexpected, and organize and complete large complex tasks. You'll also learn skills that are in high demand in today's civilian and business world such as teamwork, tact, and effective communications. You'll learn from experienced Army Officers and noncommissioned Officers and, in time, help pass on what you've learned to newer students as well.
Whether you are a second-year student just hanging out at your dorm room or a fourth year student looking for a way to attend graduate school, Seattle University Army ROTC can provide you with an opportunity to reach your academic goals and become an Army Officer in the process. Scholarships are available.
It's never too late to become a part of Army ROTC.
Frequently Asked Questions
The service commitment upon completion of the ROTC Advanced Course and graduation from college is 8 years in total. Scholarship recipients, if selected for Active-Duty, must spend at least four years in full-time Active-Duty status, and may spend their remaining obligation in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). (Non-scholarship graduates will spend three years on Active-Duty and 5 years in the IRR.)
Some Cadets may choose to serve their 8 years working part-time in the US Army Reserve or Army National Guard (in any state or territory of their choosing) while pursuing a civilian career.
Enrolling in the Army ROTC Basic Course (the first two years of college) is not the same as “joining the Army” and does NOT involve a commitment of service to the Army unless you have received an Army ROTC Scholarship and/or a contract. However, the primary purpose of Army ROTC is to produce quality Army Officers. Students must agree to serve as Army Officers (commissioned as Second Lieutenants) upon graduation once contracted.
Military Science classes at Seattle University involve an elective course taken each quarter which includes typical classroom work as well as hands-on field work. In addition, our ROTC Cadets meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 0600-0700 in the Redhawk Center Astro-Gym or outside on campus to participate in a physical training regimen. Additionally, one weekend per academic quarter is spent doing hands-on field training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.
Academics are a priority for all ROTC Cadets. We know that being a student comes first and our Cadre members work closely with Seattle University faculty and staff to ensure that our Cadets succeed in all of their courses.