You may take the first two years of Army ROTC at Western Michigan University without military obligation. To be in ROTC, simply sign up to take the military science class during orientation. High school students interested in applying for Army ROTC scholarships may do so beginning in June of the summer between their junior and senior year.
About
Army ROTC is one of the best leadership programs in the country and is part of your college curriculum. During classes and field training, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead others and motivate groups, as well as how to conduct missions as an officer in the Army.
Army ROTC is a program designed to allow you to earn an officer's commission in the United States Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve concurrently with your degree of choice. Officers are commissioned in the grade of Second Lieutenant immediately upon completing ROTC and degree requirements.
Resources
Which program is best for me?
A minor in military science and leadership is not a requirement in order to commission, but is highly recommended, as course topics help you develop valuable skills.
Additional requirements
Basic Camp
As a sophomore or transfer student, you’ll practice becoming a leader in a team setting while getting helpful feedback to grow. Basic Camp is a 32-day intensive training event.
Advanced Camp
As a junior or senior, you’ll be trained and tested through leadership development exercises in real-world scenarios. Advanced Camp is a 35-day rigorous field training event during the summer—and the most significant in your ROTC journey—which you must pass to qualify as an army officer.
Commitment
You may take the first two years of Army ROTC at WMU without military obligation. If becoming an officer and leader in the Army is right for you:
- You will serve full time in the active Army for three years (four years for scholarship recipients)
- You may choose to serve part time in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career for six years (eight years for scholarship recipients).
Flexibility for you through our partnership schools
Army ROTC is offered to students in the Grand Rapids area at Western Michigan University's Grand Rapids regional location through partnerships with the following schools:
- Calvin College
- Davenport University
- Grand Valley State University
Students who attend full time at Calvin College or Davenport University must be accepted to WMU as a guest student. Grand Valley State University students can register for ROTC classes through GVSU.
Fill out WMU's online guest application and select that you "want to take classes at WMU to transfer back to my college." If you need any assistance completing the guest application, please contact us.
Interested in nursing?
If you're considering an undergraduate nursing degree at WMU or any of our partnership schools, enrolling in Army ROTC can enhance your leadership skills and critical thinking abilities while providing financial support to help make your professional goals a reality.
Being a nurse in the Army provides you with unique opportunities including a three-week paid Nurse Summer Training Program, which introduces students to the Army Medical Department and the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer.
Yet another advantage of joining ROTC is that Bronco Battalion has two upper-division nursing spots guaranteed every year in WMU's highly competitive nursing program.
Connect with us
Connect with us
Whether you still have questions or are ready to soldier up, our scholarship and enrollment officer is ready to assist.