The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is one of the top leadership programs in the nation and is the U.S. Army’s primary officer training program. As a student, you can complete all the requirements of Army officer training while simultaneously attending college and earning your degree.
Once you graduate from college you can commission into the active U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
More than just a scholarship, the Army ROTC program is a dynamic leadership journey that prepares you for a future filled with purpose and impact. To truly understand the vast potential that awaits you, we encourage you to schedule an information session.
This session will provide you with the opportunity to:
It’s your journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Missouri State University is the central hub for the Army ROTC, Bear Battalion, hosting all ROTC courses on its campus. Thanks to a cooperative agreement between Missouri State and Drury, students at Drury can seamlessly integrate the Army ROTC curriculum into their leadership development and commissioning requirements. Upon successfully meeting these requirements, Drury students will graduate from their home institution, Drury University, in the usual manner. No change to a student’s academic major is needed.
The Basic Course consists of: MIL 101 (F), MIL 102 (S), MIL 211 (F), MIL 212 (S)
No military obligation, open to all students and all academic majors.
Take an introductory class to explore ROTC
MIL 101 (Fall) / MIL 102 (Spring)
MIL 101 & MIL 102 | Prerequisite: None
100-level classes are available to all students. The curriculum is mostly about life skills focused on organization, effective communication, time management, goal setting, and other basic leadership skills that are essential for success. Basic military knowledge is mixed into the curriculum as a foundation for the ROTC experience, which includes rappelling, map reading, land navigation, basic marksmanship, military customs, cultural awareness, Army rank structure, and much more. There is no commitment to the U.S. Army unless the student is on an Army ROTC scholarship.
MIL 211 & MIL 212 | Prerequisite: MIL 101 & MIL 102, or permission
200-level classes are available to all students. The curriculum emphasizes the practical application of individual skills necessary to succeed as a member of a tactical team in a field environment. Subject matter includes land navigation, introduction to tactics, first aid, operation orders, specialty teams, patrol base operations, physical fitness, and a variety of other skills.
BASIC CAMP
Permission only – Eligibility requirements apply.
5-week training event at Fort Knox, KY
Credit for the Basic Course may be obtained through completion of Basic Camp or Basic Training. This is usually for students with less than 6-semesters remaining to graduate who have missed the Basic Course curriculum and plan to enter the Advanced Course in the upcoming Fall semester. Students wishing to attend Basic Camp need to plan early, preferably during the spring semester, due to limited availability. Contact the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer for details.
BASIC TRAINING
Veteran students from any branch of service who have completed Basic Training may be eligible for advanced placement. Contact the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer for details.
MIL 301 (F), MIL 302 (S), MIL 325 (Su), MIL 411 (F), MIL 412 (S)
Prerequisites: * Permission only, * Basic Course completion or equivalent, *Service eligibility and obligation
300-level classes are available to “contracted” students who have met the Basic Course and eligibility requirements to become an Army Officer upon graduation. This is where the rubber meets the road and is a decisive point in the path to becoming an Army Officer.
The curriculum includes advanced training in small unit tactics, land navigation, physical fitness, and a variety of leadership skills necessary to plan and lead a tactical mission at the Squad and Platoon level. Students will be heavily immersed in leadership roles that involve responsibility, accountability, leading organized activities, leading tactical missions in a consequence-driven field environment, develop plans of action, use operation orders, and a variety of practical application experiences designed to refine leadership skills.
400-level classes are available to “contracted” Army ROTC students who have completed the 300-level courses.
Seniors in the ROTC program function as battalion staff and are responsible for planning, resourcing, and executing most of the leadership labs, special events, and other activities. Their roles are equivalent to that of Operation or Resource Managers. Event planning can be very in-depth and requires critical thinking skills that take second and third order effects into consideration. Resource planning for such things as transportation, billeting, medical support, communication plan, recovery operations, logistics, manpower management, facility resourcing, and a multitude of other areas that require leadership and oversight.
Advanced Camp occurs during the summer between the 300- and 400-level courses.
The mission of Advanced Camp is to assess a Cadet’s potential to serve as a commissioned officer. It is the most significant training and evaluation event in ROTC. Training is complex, challenging, and rigorous; conducted in a stressful training environment. The goal is to develop agile and adaptive leaders that solve problems and thrive in ambiguous, complex operating environments.
Students who complete the Army ROTC Advanced Course will be commissioned as an Army Officer when they graduate from college. Students can elect to serve in the Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve or Active duty. After graduation students will go on to their next level of training to learn their job according to their assigned branch.
Take the First Step – Get Informed
The most important thing you can do is ask questions. Every student has their own unique factors that have an impact on their path forward within ROTC. There is no single solution that suits all students.
Contact the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer to learn more about ROTC.