Military Science

The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) Program at Texas State is designed to develop the professional skills vital to Army officers. The purpose of the program is to educate, develop, and inspire qualified students for a commission in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. All applicants must interview with the Recruiting and Enrollment Officer before registering (512.245.0390 / armyrotc@txstate.edu).

The freshman and sophomore years of AROTC are called the Basic Course, and the junior and senior years are called the Advanced Course. Entry into the Basic Course requires no formal application; however, an interview is advisable because the student may be eligible for advanced placement. Registration is accomplished at the same time and in the same manner as for other college courses. Enrollment in the Basic Course does not confer any military status or commitment upon the cadet. Successful completion of, or constructive credit for, the Basic Course is necessary before progressing to the Advanced Course.

Students entering the Advanced Course should have two academic years remaining at Texas State. Coordination must be made with the Recruiting and Enrollment Officer of Military Science well in advance of anticipated enrollment in order to allow adequate time for enrollment processing. A student may meet some prerequisites as a result of prior military training, ROTC training with any service, or successful completion of the AROTC Cadet Initial Entry Training. An interview is required in order to determine if a student meets any of the above prerequisites.

Students in the Advanced Course attend a Cadet Leader Course during the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky between their junior and senior years. The purpose of this course is to train cadets to Army standards, to develop their leadership skills, and to evaluate their officer potential while giving them practical field experience in a military environment.

Textbooks and materials for military science classes are furnished without cost to the student.

Some cadets are eligible to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), which allows them to serve in the National Guard or Army Reserve concurrently with AROTC. The Department of Military Science should be consulted for additional information regarding this program.

Army scholarships are available on a competitive basis to cadets enrolled in AROTC. These scholarships pay 100% of tuition and fees or room and board, plus a $600 allowance per semester for books and necessary supplies. All scholarship cadets also receive a $420 tax-free stipend per month. Eligible non-scholarship cadets who sign an AROTC contract may begin receiving the stipend as well.