Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC)
Military
Science is designed to enhance a student's education by providing unique
leadership and management experience while preparing individuals, who by their
education, inherent qualities, aptitude and interest, indicate a desire to
receive a commission in the active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Students
incur absolutely no obligation for future program involvement or military duty
by enrolling in ROTC and taking the introductory courses during their first
year and sophomore year. ROTC offers
students several options to complete the program ranging from a short two years
to the full four years. In order to
enter the Advanced Course (junior and senior years of the program), the student
must satisfactorily complete the Basic Course, the summer Leader Training
Course, or receive constructive credit for prior military
service/training.
Advice to students new to the program
First-Year
students: There is no obligation for students who enroll
in ROTC and take the first year course.
First-year students begin the program by selecting MISC 101 or MISC 102,
Introduction to Military Science. A
student may enter the program at any time prior to the end of the sophomore
year. Given the various points at which
entry into the program is possible, perhaps the best way to start is with a
call (717-245-1221/1222) or a visit to the department, located at 450 West High
Street to obtain details about the program.
No appointment is necessary. MISC
101, and 102 meet once per week for a one-hour period and orient the student to
the various roles of Army officers.
Specifically, it stresses self-development: written and oral
communication skills, leadership, bearing, and self-confidence. The Military
Science program maximizes student participation in class and a "hands-on”
approach to training.
Transfer
students: Non-academic credit received for ROTC
involvement at other institutions is transferable. The type of advice given to transfer students
is dependent on their class status (first-year, sophomore, etc.) at the time of
their transfer to Dickinson. For this
reason, transfer students interested in ROTC are advised to visit the Military
Science department for program information. No appointment is needed.
Course requirements/description
In addition
to the Military Science courses described above, students must also take one
course in American military history. More detail is available at the Department
website.
Credit for prior military training
At the
discretion of the department chairperson (the Professor of Military Science),
students who have had prior military training through active service, high
school or college ROTC, or service academy attendance, may receive up to two
years of ROTC credit.
Credits
toward graduation for Military Science courses
MISC 301
and 401 each provide one academic course credit; MISC 201 provides one-half
academic course credit. MISC 101 and 102
provide one-half academic course. Students completing requirements for the
basic course receive credit for one physical education block. Students completing the advanced course will
receive credit for one additional physical education block. Please consult the College Bulletin for details on credits.
Army career: For
those seeking a career in the Army, there is no better way to begin than with
ROTC. It is certainly one of the more
attractive options to becoming an officer, and program involvement does not
remove the student from the mainstream of everyday life, which can be the case
with the service academies.
Graduate school or educational delay: Opportunities for the career officer to
attend graduate school at Army expense exist from approximately the fourth year
of active service on. There also exists
the possibility of attending graduate school immediately following graduation
from Dickinson. However, this would be
at the Army’s convenience and at the individual’s expense. There is, however, one exception. Individuals may apply for medical school
scholarships. Historically, Dickinson
graduates who have requested an educational delay to attend graduate school
have been allowed up to a two-year delay prior to entering active duty (three
years for those accepted into medical or law school).
Pay and allowances: For the student’s benefit, it is worth
mentioning that a newly-commissioned second lieutenant entering into active duty
will make approximately $48,000 during his/her first year of service and receive
a variety of other benefits, including 30 days paid vacation per year.
Service obligations
All
students who receive an ROTC commission incur an eight-year service
obligation. The majority of students
choose to serve four years on active duty upon graduation, followed by four
years in the inactive reserve. Students,
scholarship and non-scholarship, who have lined up good jobs in the civilian
community before graduating and would prefer not to go on active duty for four
years may request reserve forces duty.
If approved, the student would serve only 3-6 months on active duty and
the remainder of his/her obligation (7 ½ years) in an Army Reserve or Army
National Guard unit. For more
information on scholarships: www.dickinson.edu/academics/programs/military-science/content/Prospective-Students/