About ROTC

Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a nationally standardized program of pre-commissioned officer education and training offered at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the United States.

  • Army ROTC is one of the best leadership courses in the country and is part of your college curriculum.
  • During classes, leadership labs, physical training, and field training exercises, you learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups, and conduct missions as an Officer in the Army.

Upon graduation

You are commissioned a Second Lieutenant and serve as an officer in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

Military Science Program

  • Register for classes just like any other college class.
  • Military Science is available as a minor.
  • Cadets must be a full-time registered students taking a minimum of 12 credit hours a term.
  • For special circumstances, contact the Military Science Department to review qualifications.

Leadership development

The focus of the ROTC program is leadership development.

  • Cadets learn leadership skills; problem-solving techniques; decision making skills; planning and organizing skills; interpersonal communications skills; professional ethics and responsibilities; and other management skills.
  • Leadership labs and Field Training Exercises (FTX) supplement classroom work with practical leadership training and experience. Cadets are trained, coached, and mentored by cadre with more than 20 years of experience.

It’s an experience that you can’t get anywhere else. Round out your college experience by participating in ROTC activities. You can have the best of two worlds—civilian and military—and get a college experience unlike any other. If you’re interested in attending college while learning what it takes to become an Army Officer, ROTC may be right for you. In addition to teaching you valuable leadership skills, military training, and discipline, ROTC can also provide you with money for tuition and other expenses through scholarships.

The best part of this leadership development is that your career starts immediately upon graduation as you are commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and It is as easy to sign up for ROTC as any other elective class on campus. You can take the basic course of ROTC with no military service obligation.

Resources and Other Links

Western Oregon University
Army ROTC
Academic Programs and Support Center, Rm 201
503-838-8353

Captain James “Jim” Hawthorne, FA
Assistant Professor of Military Science
hawthorneje@wou.edu | cell/text: 615-364-8994

Master Sergeant Dillon Goodson
Military Science Instructor
goodsond@mail.wou.edu

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