Frequently Asked Questions About ROTC

• What is Army ROTC?
  

  ROTC is a leadership program designed to train future Commissioned Officers in the United States Army. ROTC may be taken by any students during their freshman and sophomore years without any sort of military obligation. Following graduation from the Reserve Officer's Training Corp, cadets receive Commissions making them Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
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• What is a Commissioned Officer?
  

  Officers are the leaders and decision makers of the U.S. Army. Officers serve as planners and managers in all functions of the Army and are the men and woman who take care of soldiers and give their orders. Becoming an officer is different from enlisting in the Army. Officers require college degrees and are held to a high professional standard. 
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• What makes up the Lehigh Valley ROTC program?
  

  First year students are required to enroll in a 1-credit course on the basics of Military Science. Their course is either offered at Lehigh University or the student's home school in the Lehigh Valley. Students also participate in a physical fitness program held twice a week. Finally, each month offers a different military skills training lab, usually on a Saturday. Examples of training labs include rappelling, paintball, obstacle courses and other skills designed to condition future Commissioned Officers.
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• Is ROTC like boot camp?
  

  No. Cadets attend college classes like other students, participate in varsity and intramural sports, are involved in clubs and enjoy time with their friends.
  ROTC cadets do not attend boot camp, where life is scripted and soldiers are largely directed what to do. We are looking for people who can take charge and decide what needs to be done without others directing them.
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• What are the benefits of participating in Army ROTC?
  

  The main benefit of joining ROTC is to become a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army - one of the most technologically advanced organizations in the world. ROTC students taking only the first two years without obligation, benefit from the top-notch training the army has to offer. Students will learn communication skills, briefing skills, interpersonal skills, will maintain a high degree of fitness and will have fun doing so.

  Most officers fulfill their minimum obligation by serving 4 years of active duty and 4 years in a reserve component. A reserve component may be the Army Reserve, the National Guard or the Individual Ready Reserve - a list only activated in cases of national distress.

  Other officers choose to fulfill their entire service obligation in the Army Reserve or National Guard. Officers in this case have other civilian occupations and serve in the Army 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year.
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• What sets theLehigh Valley's ROTC program apart from other schools?
  

  The Lehigh Valley "Steel" Battalion is consistently rated among the best ROTC programs in the country. Our cadets are scholar, athlete, leaders who are very involved on their college campuses. Our cadets are varsity athletes, student club presidents, class officers and are respected by their peers.

  Unique to Lehigh's program is the addition of special housing for ROTC students. Cadets may opt to live in our on-campus ROTC House, a "fraternity-style" Victorian building. The house has furnished rooms, high-speed phone and Internet, a pool table, kitchen, cable TV, a fireplace, common areas and fully furnished rooms. Residency in the house is available to Lehigh University students and is completely optional.

  (Please note that Lehigh University students enrolled in Army ROTC are not required to live in the ROTC House. Many cadets live in traditional residence halls, fraternities, sororities and other off-campus housing.)
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• What would be my job in the Army?
  

  Simply put; a leader. Once you've been Commissioned, you'll find plenty of opportunities as an Officer to apply what you've learned in college. Today's Army is more advanced than ever with the most advanced equipment and sophisticated computers. If you plan on majoring in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering, the Army may have opportunities for you in Aviation, the Corp of Engineers, Military Intelligence, Ordnance or Signal Corps.
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  As a major in the physical sciences - biology, chemistry and physics - you'll find a world of opportunities in the Army Chemical Corp, Military Police Corps, Ordnance, Quartermaster or Medical Service Corps.

  As a Lieutenant, you'll be making management decisions about budgets and administrative planning, directing daily operations of personnel and equipment. While your counterpart in private industry might just be enrolling in a management training course, you'll already be leading men and women on the job and adding to your leadership credentials.
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• What scholarship opportunities are available to ROTC students?
  

  Every year, ROTC awards scholarships to hundreds of students, regardless of their families' financial status. Based solely on merit, these scholarships pay full tuition and fees. Each scholarship also includes an annual book allowance and a generous month stipend .

  Lehigh Valley ROTC scholarships are competitive. Each year we look for outstanding high school candidates who demonstrate strong scholar, athlete, leader criteria. Most have been highly involved in their high school, with varsity sports and in their communities.
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• What's the next step about getting involved in Lehigh Valley Army ROTC?
  

  Contact our Admissions and Enrollment Officer, Major Matthew Lawrence at (610) 758-3272 or email him at mal206@lehigh.edu. You are also welcome to visit Lehigh University and schedule an appointment to tour our department or meet with a representative who will gladly answer any questions you may have.
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• Do I have to serve on Active Duty?
  

  No. We traditionally send about half of our commissioned lieutenants to serve in the Reserve and National Guard after graduation. In fact, there are several programs in ROTC where cadets are guaranteed service in the Reserve components.
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