Army ROTC - Military Science

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Wolf, Field Artillery, U.S. Army, Professor and Department Chair
Master Sergeant Shawn Jones, Field Artillery, U.S. Army, Senior Military Instructor
290 West Brooks, Room 1
Norman, OK 73019-6021
Phone: (405) 325-3012
FAX: (405) 325-3320
ouarmyrotc@ou.edu
www.soonerstrong.com

General Information

The training goals of the OU Army ROTC are to develop cadets mentally, physically, and scholastically. The course focuses on developing basic soldier skills, leadership qualities, physical fitness, and officership. The intent of the program is to prepare college-age men and women to lead American Soldiers in armed conflict. Upon graduation those who complete their Military Science and degree requirements will be commissioned as second lieutenants and serve as officers in either the Active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve.

Since Army ROTC is a university elective course, enrollment into Army ROTC can be done online or through your OU academic advisor after being accepted into The University of Oklahoma.

Contact Army ROTC for more information concerning requirements and enrollment..

Minor in Military Science 

Cadets cannot major in Military Science, but have the option of adding the Minor in Military Science to their degree. To enroll in this option students should see their academic counselor.

Green to Gold

The Green to Gold program seeks talented young enlisted soldiers who have decided to leave, or are considering leaving, active duty to attend college. Quality enlisted soldiers with officer potential who have served at least two years on active duty are allowed to voluntarily request discharge from active duty, and enroll in Army ROTC to earn baccalaureate degrees and commissions as Second Lieutenants.

Critical Language Incentive Program

Cadets studying any of 70 languages designated by the Department of the Army as “critical” can receive up to $2,500 each year for receiving passing grades. Current languages eligible for the bonus pay include Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Russian and over 60 more. This program is eligible to Basic Course and Advanced Course cadets. To apply, students must submit a proposal to the Professor of Military Science at the beginning of the semester. Bonuses are paid at the end of the semester in which a successful grade was achieved.

Ranger Challenge

Ranger Challenge is the varsity sport of Army ROTC. Each year students compete for a spot on an eight-man team to compete against other colleges in a series of military events. Events include a medical assault course, grenade assault course, one rope bridge, assembly/dis-assembly of an M16 rifle, obstacle course, improvised raft course, and a 10k ruck march. Try-outs are rigorous, and the training requires a commitment of additional time and dedication. Winners of regional competitions go on to compete at the national level against ROTC departments from across the country.

Summer Training Opportunities

Each summer selected students who are enrolled in Military Science have the opportunity to attend Airborne, Air Assault, Mountain Warfare training, or Cadet Troop Leader Training. These courses are offered to cadets on a voluntary and limited basis. Unlike CIET and CLC, which are specifically for ROTC cadets, these are regular US Army courses and cadets attend right along side current Army soldiers and officers.

Simultaneous Membership Program

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows enlisted members of the National Guard and Army Reserve to enroll in ROTC courses as a means of earning an officer’s commission. While in the SMP students continue to drill with their current unit while taking Military Science courses, but are given the rank of cadet, are placed in officer trainee positions within their units, receive E-5 drill pay, and are non-deployable for as long as they are in school. SMP cadets receive all the tuition benefits available from the National Guard or Army Reserve in addition to ROTC benefits, such as the monthly stipend and scholarship opportunities. Upon graduation SMP participants have the option of serving on Active Duty, or part-time in the National Guard or Army Reserves.

SMP SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Students currently serving (or soon enlisting) in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves can apply for the Dedicated Reserve component scholarships for either the National Guard or US Army Reserves. With a Dedicated Scholarship Reservists and Guardsmen continue to drill with their current unit while enrolled in Military Science, and receive National Guard or Army Reserve education benefits in addition to the scholarship benefits listed above. Please speak to a scholarship and enrollment officer for full details. Upon graduation, DED scholarship winners will not be considered for Active Duty appointments, and serve their military commitment with part-time service as officers in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves.

SMP NON-SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Eligible students, who do not wish to obligate their military career to a Reserve component, may compete to serve Active Duty upon commissioning. This opportunity will include a promotion to E-5 and a monthly ROTC stipend. Students may also be eligible for any benefits earned; Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, or Post 9-11 GI Bill®¹ Benefits.

Campus-Based Scholarship Program

Campus-based scholarships are available to eligible students at the University of Oklahoma and are merit based; awarded to students that are enrolled in the Army ROTC Program and apply for a scholarship. These cadets prove themselves through their moral character, college GPA, leadership potential, and PT test scores. Application can be made by contacting the Military Science Department.

High School Scholarship Program

The High School Scholarship application process is for high school students planning on attending a four-year college program. Contact your high school academic advisor or campus Military Science department for more information.

Financial Assistance

All students enrolled in Military Science are furnished with necessary military science textbooks, equipment and uniforms at no cost. All advanced course students and scholarship winners are paid a monthly stipend. The OU Army ROTC can provide tuition assistance each year based on merit and need. There are over a dozen other military scholarships and awards that students may compete for each year. Award deadlines and requirements vary and require current enrollment in Military Science classes.

Veterans

Qualified veterans may receive Basic Course credit enabling them to complete Army commissioning requirements in two years in the Advanced Course. Veterans receive the same benefits as other students in addition to their GI Bill and VA benefits. Veterans, as well as current Army Reserve and National Guard soldier/students, are also eligible to compete for scholarships.

Medical/Pre-Med Students

Army ROTC provides a pathway to becoming an Army doctor (including dentists and veterinarians) in specialties ranging from Anesthesiology and Cardiology to Radiology and Vascular Surgery. Cadets with pre-med majors receive the same training—with the same requirements—as every other cadet while they complete ROTC. Upon graduation they are commissioned as second lieutenants, but instead of immediately beginning their officer service, cadets who are accepted into a medical school may delay their military obligation until completion of the medical training, at which time they enter service as officers in the Army Medical (Dental, or Veterinarian) Corps.

After completing a bachelor’s degree, opportunities for fully-funded medical training are available under two programs: the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). The HPSP scholarship can be used at any accredited medical school in the United States, and includes full tuition and a stipend of over $2000 per month. USUHS is a DOD medical school located in Bethesda, MD, and offers free tuition plus second lieutenant pay, benefits and allowances for all four years of school.

¹

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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