The purpose of this page is to provide university academic advisors with current information about their students enrolled in Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and the unique demands on their time, in and outside of the classroom. 

Students enrolled in Army ROTC are involved in more than an average elective.  For most of our cadets, the decision to join ROTC is a commitment to pursue the goal of becoming a commissioned officer in the Army.  Toward that end, the ROTC program provides unique training and instruction to prepare future officers to lead our nations soldiers in time of war and peace.  

    The commitment to ROTC also brings with it the commitment to be a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.  Not all members of the Corps of Cadets are enrolled in ROTC; however, all enrolled ROTC cadets must be members of the Corps.  The Corps of Cadets is dedicated to developing leaders for both the military and civilian sectors.  Students enrolled in ROTC and members of the Corps of Cadets have made a double commitment to achieve a college education and prepare to serve our great nation. 

Academic Planning:

    A.  All ROTC cadets are required to complete an academic plan on a Cadet Command form at least once per school year.  They are counseled by their ROTC instructor each semester and this plan is critical to determining the graduation timeline for each student. The student should bring a copy of the form to the advising session to get the advisor's input.  The form is an Excel spreadsheet and can be found at this link:  Cadet Command Form 104R

    B.  ROTC students must get an advisor's signature on this academic worksheet.  Your signature does not commit you to this plan!  We really just need to verify that an academic advisor reviewed the plan and that it is reasonable from an academic perspective.  

    C.  Please be aware that any change of major must be approved by the Professor of Military Science.  

    D.  In accordance with University standards, ROTC students must maintain 12 credit hours each semester to be considered a full time student.  For cadets receiving scholarship benefits, falling below that 12 hour minimum puts their scholarship in jeopardy.  

ROTC Academic Requirements:

    A.  The standard academic plan for ROTC cadets is a 4 year (8 semester) program.  They are required to take a ROTC class each semester.  The first two years require a two credit hour class held once per week.  Freshmen take the MS1005-1006 and Sophomores take the MS2005-2006 course.  The last two years require a three credit hour class each semester.  Juniors take MS3005-3006 and Seniors take MS4005-4006.  

    B.  All Army ROTC cadets also take a Leadership Lab on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, which is automatically scheduled with their academic class.

    C.  In addition to classroom time, cadets must attend physical training three days per week at 5:45 am to 6:45 am and some weekend training events each semester.

    D.  Many ROTC cadets receive scholarship benefits in the form of tuition assistance and book allowance.  These benefits could be suspended or revoked if a cadet does not meet the requirements listed above.

    E.  Military History Requirement:  As part of our Professional Military Education (PME) program, all ROTC cadets must take one semester of a Military History class prior to graduation.  A list of the approved courses can be found on the PME requirements memorandum.

Extracurricular and Summer Activities:

    A.  ROTC cadets have various opportunities to participate in military adventure training and professional development training.  Most tactical training occurs on weekends to avoid class conflicts.  There are some cases where class days are used for travel requirements.  Typically, this only effects academic juniors.  

    B.  Summer Activities:  Some cadets will earn an opportunity to attend Army schools during the summer between the Freshmen and Sophomore years.  Please see our page about summer opportunities for more information.  

    C.  Summer Camp:  During the summer after the Junior year, all cadets must attend the National Advanced Leadership Camp (NALC) at Fort Lewis, WA.  This is a four week course, and often the cadet does not have much influence over which cycle or timeframe they must attend.  NALC is a mandatory event to qualify an ROTC cadet for commissioned service. 

We hope that this information will assist the academic advisor in better understanding the needs and requirements of an ROTC student.  Please feel free to contact one of our instructors at 231-6401 or vtarotc@vt.edu.