Do I have to go to Basic Training
to do ROTC?
No, absolutely not. No prior military
training or experience is required. Basic training is not part
of the ROTC program, if you desire to go to Basic Training,
contact your local National Guard or Reserve Recruiter. In
Clemson, the Army recruiter's number is (864) 654-3888.
How much time does ROTC take?
Not a great deal for freshmen and sophomores,
a little more later on for juniors and seniors. For freshmen and
sophomores ROTC meets for 1 hour a week, with a hands on lab for
2 additional hours every other week. For junior and senior
cadets, class is 1 hour in the fall and 2 hours in the spring
with lab for 2 additional hours every week.
Will ROTC conflict with my other classes?
No, Military
Science classes are scheduled just like any other class. We have
a planned curriculum to work with most common Clemson course
requirements and also to accommodate the ROTC students at
Southern Wesleyan and Tri-County Tech. It's not to say that it
won't happen, but you will find us very flexible with regard to
working through conflicts.
What do ROTC students do?
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 Reserves or National Guard.
Can I "Major" in ROTC?
No. ROTC is taken for elective credit, but
you can receive a minor in Military Leadership by taking all
four years of MS as well as a few other related courses. The
Military Science Department is part of the College of Business
and Public Affairs. ROTC students choose a major in any
other course of study they are interested in and qualify for.
Can I participate in other activities while
taking ROTC?
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 into the Twenty First Century. Participating
in other activities is one of the criteria looked favorably upon
when a student applies for an ROTC scholarship. Clubs,
athletics, and volunteer activities are all helpful endeavors in
developing your leadership skills.
Does ROTC offer any extracurricular activities?
Yes. The Clemson Rangers, Pershing Rifles,
Tiger Platoon, and Scabbard and Blade are all activities that
are supported by ROTC. The Ranger Challenge Team, the Army
ROTC varsity sport, is another activity to participate in. Our
students also form their own intramural sports teams as well as
participating in fund raising and community service projects.
How many women are in ROTC?
During the
calendar year of 1998, 25% of the commissioned cadets were
female. Approximately 14% of the officers in the Army today are
women. ROTC is an equal opportunity program. We encourage
participation without regard to gender, race, origin or
religious affiliation. Any Clemson, Southern Wesleyan, or
Tri-County Tech student is free to try ROTC as an elective
course offering. NOTE: Certain eligibility requirements,
including citizenship, age restrictions, medical qualifications,
etc. must be met in order to earn a commission.
Do I have to wear a military uniform while taking
ROTC?
No, you may wear civilian attire to class on
Tuesdays. However, during Thursday's lab time uniforms are
required. You will be issued the uniforms and equipment
you need free of charge.
I heard a huge drill sergeant shaves my head when
I join ROTC... is that true?
Here is the deal with regard to hair: We do
not cut anyone's hair! You must however meet the Army
appearance standards. That may mean for males shorter hair than
you currently have, but nobody gets his (or her) head shaved.
Females must wear their hair up off the collar of the uniform
they are wearing.
I heard ROTC students have to run every morning
at 0500 (That’s 5:00A.M. for most of you) I certainly hope that’s
not true!!
No, it's
not. Our juniors and seniors along with all scholarship students
are required to partake in Physical Training (PT) on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m., for the rest, it
is considered an optional activity. We strongly encourage a
healthy lifestyle that incorporates a regular fitness program.
Incidentally, we do more than run during our time together. We
play sports, do aerobics, obstacle courses, and many other
activities that are fun and get us into good physical condition.
I heard that ROTC students are always running
around in the woods, is that true?
Not
entirely, we do a good portion of our training outdoors. We do
enjoy adventure activities such as hiking, rappelling and
orienteering, if these type events excite you then register for
a class: You have nothing to lose!
Do we take field trips in ROTC?
Yes. Once a
semester usually, these trips are called Field Training
Exercises or FTXs for short. These trips are designed for ROTC
students in order for them to enhance their leadership skills in
a field environment. These trips include training on real Army
bases, rides on tanks and helicopters, visits to historic
battlefields, etc.
Do I have any summer training requirement in
ROTC?
Yes. During the summer between your junior
and senior years of college (normally), all ROTC students will
attend Camp Adventure. This 5-week leadership experience is the
culmination of your training thus far, and goes a long way in
determining your future as an officer. There are many other
summer training opportunities that are entirely optional, such
as the Army Airborne or Air Assault schools or the Northern
Warfare training camp to name a few.
When does my participation in ROTC begin to incur
a military service obligation?
For most
students it's 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.
What is the time I owe the Army if I complete
ROTC and become an officer?
Eight years, but before you leave skid marks
running away let's break it down so it does not appear quite so
daunting! These 8 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 drill unit of the
Reserves or National Guard, meeting one weekend monthly and two
weeks each summer followed by 2 years in the IRR. This
obligation is federally mandated and is the same obligation
across all services.
