Reserve Officers Training Corps

Enrollment in Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) programs is open to both men and women, and ROTC lower-level leadership courses are open to all students whether or not they contract with ROTC.

All services provide undergraduate and selected graduate students with the opportunity to combine academic study with a military officer’s educational program. The three services conduct courses in their respective areas leading to a regular or reserve commission upon graduation. The Navy also offers a program leading to a regular commission in the Marine Corps.

The course codes for these programs are AIRR, MILR and NAVR.

Air Force Aerospace Studies

U.S. Air Force ROTC offers several programs leading to a commission in the U.S. Air Force upon receipt of at least a baccalaureate degree.

Standard Four-Year Program

This standard program is designed for incoming freshmen, or any student with four years remaining until degree completion. It consists of three parts: the general military course (GMC) for lower-division (normally freshman and sophomore) students; the professional officer course (POC) for upper-division students (normally juniors and seniors); and the leadership laboratory (LLAB) attended by all cadets. Completion of a four-week summer field training program is required prior to commissioning.

Modified Four-Year Program

Certain undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible for this program. It is offered to full-time, regularly enrolled degree students and requires at least five semesters of full-time college work (undergraduate or graduate level, or a combination). May only be available to students pursuing academic majors in demand. Those selected for this program must complete the field training program during the summer months as a prerequisite for entry into the professional officer course the following fall semester.

Leadership Lab

All AFROTC cadets must attend leadership lab (two hours per week). The laboratory involves a study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, career opportunities and the life and work of an Air Force junior officer.

Other Air Force ROTC Programs

Other programs are frequently available based on current Air Force needs. The unit administrative officer in Boulder (303-492-3128) can discuss the best alternatives. Interested students should make initial contact as early as possible to create the best selection opportunity, as selection is on a competitive basis. There is no obligation until a formal contract is entered.

Air Force College Scholarship Program

Normally a scholarship board is held at the end of each semester for students who have at least one semester of full-time college credit. Prior participation in AFROTC may not be required to compete for these scholarships. Students can compete for scholarships in most academic majors. Students selected for this program receive scholarships that pay up to $18,000 in tuition, a book allowance, nonrefundable educational fees and subsistence each month, tax-free. These scholarships are available in all academic disciplines and are two to three years in length.

USAF Medical Programs

Qualified nursing students can compete for nursing scholarships. These scholarships can lead to a career as an Air Force officer, serving as a nurse. Students may also compete for a prehealth designator. If selected, they would receive a scholarship for medical school. 

Air Force ROTC Course Credit

AFROTC credit for graduation varies with each college. Students should contact the appropriate college for credit determination.

Registration

CU-Boulder students who wish to register for AFROTC classes sign up for them through the normal course registration process. 

Military Science (U.S. Army)

The Department of Military Science is a leadership program leading to an officer’s commission in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard in conjunction with an undergraduate or graduate degree. Military science courses supplement a regular degree program and offer practical leadership and management experience. Scholarships are available for those that qualify. Additionally, financial benefits may be available for enlisted soldiers. 

Four-Year Program

For college freshmen, the four-year program consists of two phases: the basic course (freshman and sophomore years) and the advanced course (junior and senior years). 

Basic courses (MSI & MSII) cover Army history and organization as well as military leadership and management. Labs provide the opportunity to develop leadership experience while learning basic military skills. Participating in the basic courses incur no military obligation, except for those receiving an Army scholarship.

Advanced courses (MSIII & MSIV) cover leadership, tactics, and unit operations, training techniques, military law, and professional ethics. Additionally, a four-week summer leadership camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky is a requirement between the Junior and Senior year, and is a prerequisite for commissioning. Students enrolled in the advanced courses must have completed the basic courses (or the equivalent) and obtain permission from the professor of military science (PMS).

Two-Year Program

For college students entering as a sophomore, the two-year program consists of the advanced courses, preceded by a four-week summer ROTC cadet initial entry training (CIET) at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Inquiries into CIET should be directed to the Department of Military Science prior to completing the sophomore year. CIET is a paid internship and the academic equivalent to the MS1/MSII basic courses. 

Prior service and enlisted soldiers who have completed basic training may be eligible to enroll in the advanced course without attending CIET or completion of the ROTC basic courses. Enlisted soldiers pursuing advanced placement must obtain permission from the PMS.

Scholarship Programs

College freshmen, sophomores, and juniors may be eligible for four-, three-, and two-year scholarships, regardless of academic major. Interested students must enroll in Army ROTC and meet eligibility requirements, including an army physical fitness test.

High school scholarship applicants may be eligible for four- and three-year college scholarships. High school students can apply during their junior year and before January 10 of their senior year. 

All scholarship recipients receive full tuition and fees, a $1,200 book allowance and a stipend of $300–500 per month during the academic year. Students interested in scholarships should contact the enrollment and scholarship officer at armyrotc@colorado.edu, 303-492-3549 or 303-492-6495.

Simultaneous Membership Program

College sophomore and juniors who want additional leadership training, may participate with an Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit as an officer trainee. Students participating in this program earn approximately $240 in monthly drill pay, plus a monthly ROTC stipend of $300–500. Additionally, SMP participants receive Army National Guard or reserve tuition benefits of up to $4,500 per year. Enlisted and prior service students retain their authorized GI benefits. 

Army ROTC Course Credit

ROTC is an elective credit in most departments. Individual academic advisors verify if ROTC classes count toward the student’s degree. 

Registration

Amy ROTC classes begin with MILR prefix. Register for classes through the normal course registration process. For more information, contact the enrollment and scholarship officer at CU-Boulder at armyrotc@colorado.edu, 303-492-3459 or 303-492-6495. See also the AROTC website at www.colorado.edu/arotc.

Naval Science

Naval science course work is offered in the fall and spring semesters only. All naval science students enroll in NAVR 1010, 2020, 4010 and 4020. Those desiring commissions in the U.S. Navy additionally enroll in NAVR 3020, 3030, 3040 and 4030 for upper-division work. Those desiring commissions in the U.S. Marine Corps additionally enroll in NAVR 3101 and 4101 for upper-division work.

Scholarship Programs

NROTC offers two-, three- and four-year scholarship programs, and two-year and four-year college (non-scholarship) programs. Navy scholarships may be earned while students are enrolled in the college program. Scholarship students receive tuition and fees, a $375 book allowance per semester and a $250 per month subsistence allowance. This subsistence allowance gradually rises to $400 by the student’s senior year. College program students receive a $350 per month subsistence allowance their junior year and $400 per month subsistence allowance their senior year in the program.

Naval science (Navy option) scholarship students must complete one year of calculus, physics and English, one semester of American military history or national security policy and a cultural course. Students should check with their naval science instructor to determine specific course offerings that fulfill the above requirements.

Degree Credits

The number of NROTC semester hours of credit that may count toward degree requirements is determined by the individual colleges. Students should therefore consider their college’s policy when formulating their degree plan.

Commissioned Service

Opportunities for commissioned service are presently available in the unrestricted line (surface, subsurface, aviation, special warfare and special operations) in the U.S. Navy. Opportunities in ground and aviation specialties are available in the U.S. Marine Corps. Students interested in other programs leading to commissions in either the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps are encouraged to contact the NROTC unit on campus. All commissioning programs require that the student be working toward, and receive, a college degree.