No. ROTC is a series of elective college courses that you can begin as a first-year student with no military obligation. It is similar to taking any other class on campus. 

No. No prior military training or experience is required. Basic training is not part of the ROTC program. If you desire to go to Basic Training, contact your local National Guard or Reserve Recruiter.

Mainly they are just like any other college student. They earn an academic degree and learn valuable critical-thinking and communications skills. They also learn leadership skills and have experiences that will set them apart from their peers. These skills and experiences will qualify them to become officers in the Army. Upon graduation, they are placed in job positions as second lieutenants. 

Not a great deal for first-year students and sophomores, more for juniors and seniors. First-year ROTC classes meet for one hour a week; sophomores ROTC classes meets two hours a week. For juniors and seniors, class is three hours a week with physical training (PT) three days a week and lab two additional hours a week. 

For most students, it’s the start of your junior year of college. This is when you decide whether or not you want to pursue a commission in the Army. At this time you would sign a contract with the Army. This applies to two-year scholarship students and all non-scholarship students in the program. A three-year or four-year scholarship winner becomes obligated at the start of their sophomore year. 

No. Military Science classes are scheduled just like any other class. We have a planned curriculum that accommodates the schedules of students at Wofford, USC Upstate, Converse, Limestone and Spartanburg Methodist College.

No. ROTC is taken for elective credit and is not a major.

Yes. In fact, we highly encourage students to participate in other activities. We subscribe to the total-person concept and want well-rounded individuals to lead the Army and the nation in the 21st century. Participating in other activities is one of the criteria favorably looked upon when a student applies for an ROTC scholarship. Clubs, athletics and volunteer activities are all helpful endeavors in developing your leadership skills.

We encourage participation without regard to gender, race, origin or religious affiliation. The percentage of women who participate in any given ROTC class is between 20 and 60 percent.  

You may wear civilian attire to class, but uniforms are required during ROTC labs. You will be issued the uniforms and equipment you need free of charge. 

We do not cut anyone’s hair! You must, however, meet the Army appearance standards. That may mean for males shorter hair than you currently have, but we do not shave your hair. Females must wear their hair up off the collar of the uniform they are wearing. 

No. Juniors and seniors, along with all scholarship students, are required to participate in Physical Training (PT) on Mondays and  Wednesdays  from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Otherwise it is an optional activity.  We strongly encourage a healthy lifestyle that incorporates a regular fitness program, which includes playing sports, lifting weights, doing obstacle courses, hiking, paintball, etc. 

Yes, usually once a semester. These Field Training Exercises or FTXs are designed for ROTC students to enhance their leadership skills in a field environment. These trips include training on real Army bases, rides on helicopters, visits to historic battlefields, etc. 

The summer between junior and senior year all ROTC students will attend Advanced Camp. This five-week leadership experience is the culmination of your training and goes a long way in determining your future as an officer. There are many other summer training opportunities that are entirely optional, such as the Army Airborne or Air Assault schools, the Northern Warfare training camp or Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT). 

Eight years, but the eight years can be fulfilled in a number of ways: three or four years (depending on scholarship status) on active duty and then the remainder in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Essentially, the IRR is a non-active status with no drill requirements. The other option is six years in a drilling status with a unit of the Reserve or National Guard, meeting one weekend monthly and two weeks each summer, followed by two years in the IRR. This obligation is federally mandated and is the same obligation across all services.