Department of Military Science - Spartan Battalion

High School Students

Army Nursing - ROTC partners with Michigan State College of Nursing

If you are in the top 10% of your graduating class, have a 3.8 GPA or higher, and have an ACT score of 28 or higher you can be conditionally admitted to the MSU College of Nursing. You can get more information on this opportunity at the College of Nursing website.

High school students who are applying for admission to MSU can enter Army ROTC with no obligation by registering for Army ROTC classes during summer Academic Orientation Programs (AOP). All incoming MSU students will attend AOP in the summer before they begin classes. During AOP all students will meet with an academic advisor to build their class schedule to satisfy the degree requirements for their major. All students may elect to take Military Science (MS) 100 or 200 level classes as electives without obligation. All MS100 and 200 level courses are 1 credit each and count as MSU elective credits.

High school students can apply on-line for 4-year Army ROTC scholarships at www.armyrotc.com beginning 1 Feb of their junior year. Applications should be completed and submitted on-line no later than 10 Jan of a student's senior year. It is recommended that students apply as soon as they receive their ACT/SAT results. The sooner the better. Scholarship applicants are required to interview in person at the Department of Military Science. Applicants will also be administered the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) during the interview visit.

Current Michigan State Students

If you are a current MSU undergraduate or graduate student with at least two full academic years remaining before completion of your degree, you may qualify for a 4, 3 or 2-year Army ROTC program. Which program you enter through will be determined by your academic level.

If you are just starting your freshman year at MSU you will have the option of completing ROTC in 4, 3 or 2 years.

If you are just entering your sophomore year you can complete ROTC in 3 or 2 years.

MSU students take Army ROTC courses for many reasons. Some just want to know more about the Army and learn what it is to be a commissioned officer. Some have already decided to earn their commission as a second lieutenant by participating actively in our program. But, regardless of your particular situation, starting Army ROTC at MSU as a freshman or sophomore is as easy as signing up for any other elective course at MSU. Simply add a section of either MS 110 (freshman level) or MS 210 (sophomore level) for the fall semester, or MS 120 or MS 220 respectively for the spring semester. You can enroll for one or two credits for each 100 or 200 level course. These are elective credits that will apply to your MSU degree. If you are unfamiliar with our programs and are just taking the class, you should take it for one credit. If you are applying for an Army ROTC scholarship, or are relatively certain you will be seeking a commission through our program, you should enroll for two credits. The second credit is for the lab that meets every other week on Tuesday from 4:00-6:00. Only active cadets seeking a commission will participate in the Tuesday lab. Once enrolled in one of these Military Science electives you can take your time to become familiar with the different Army ROTC options available. You are under no obligation by simply taking the elective classes. If at any time you choose to become an active cadet in order to seek a commission, just let us know and well start working on getting you qualified.

If you are a freshman or sophomore and have already completed your class schedule for the coming semester, you can add a Military Science class at any time until the completion of the drop/add period.

If you are in your second semester of your sophomore year or you have less than 3 years remaining at MSU you will be completing one of the two-year ROTC programs. The 3-year program compresses the first and second year requirements into one year. The 2-year programs offer different ways to earn credit constructive for the first two-years of ROTC.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

If you are a current MSU freshman or sophomore you can opt to enlist in the Michigan Army National Guard or Army Reserves and remain in there while you complete your degree. You can concurrently earn your commission as an officer through the Army ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). You can enlist in the Guard or Reserves and attend your required training during the summer after your freshman or sophomore year. Upon your return to campus you can elect to enter the SMP program. Once you have completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) you will be qualified in your selected Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Most MOSs carry with them substantial cash bonuses. The first installment of the bonus (usually 50%) is paid upon becoming MOS qualified. Once MOS qualified you will be entitled to the Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve) which pays $309 per month while you complete your degree as a full-time student. If you decide to commit to staying in the Guard or Reserves upon commissioning, you can also apply for an additional $350 per month kicker to the GI Bill. As a member of the Michigan National Guard or Reserves you will be entitled to $4500 per year Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and $2000 per year in State tuition reimbursement (Guard only). This takes care of $6500 of your annual tuition. In addition to the GI Bill, FTA and State tuition reimbursement, you'll receive compensation of $302.60 for your one weekend per month drill and approximately $1500 for your 15 days of annual training each summer. As an ROTC SMP cadet, you will receive a monthly subsistence allowance of $350 your sophomore year, $450 your junior year and $500 your senior year. All benefits are tax free. Drill pay and annual training pay are considered compensation and are taxed.

So, let's do the math. Here is benefit package for a typical MOS qualified Michigan National Guard SM cadet at MSU:

For more information on the SMP program at MSU contact SFC Richard Dennis, extension 232, or at richard.r.dennis@us.army.mil, SSG Benjamin Shackelton (Reserves) 877-678-3370, or at benjamin.shackelton@usarec.army.mil. Mr. Andy Harter at ext. 230 or harteran@msu.edu.

Leaders Training Course (LTC)

If you have at least 2 full years remaining in your college career, you can choose to attend a summer program called Leader's Training Course. The Leader's Training Course (LTC) is a 28-day training and leader development program at Fort Knox, Kenturcky. It is a prerequisite for the Army ROTC 2-year program for anyone without prior military service. By completing LTC, students earn credit for the first two years of Army ROTC. This enables them to enter directly into the ROTC Advanced Course and earn a commission as an officer in the Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard upon completing their degree at MSU.

LTC Requirements:

Contact Mr. Andy Harter at the Department of Military Science at MSU to confirm eligibility and make your training reservation. Phone: (517) 355-1913 ext 230, or harteran@msu.edu.

Interested in nursing?

What does it take to be a nurse? The answer isn't just white shoes and a stethoscope. It's not just sharp clinical skills coupled with the attributes of understanding and compassion. It is much, much more.

The profession demands the ability to think on your feet in an emergency. The ability to intuitively evaluate a situation, determine the best course of action, and take charge, which is precisely what Army ROTC is uniquely designed to teach.

Army ROTC is not boot camp or basic training. But, unlike most college courses that teach one discipline, Army ROTC teaches leadership skills that translate to any field, whether it be law, engineering, or, in your case, nursing.

As a nursing student in the Army ROTC Spartan Battalion, you'll combine Military Science classes and a summer internship known as Nurse Summer Training Program, or NSTP, with your regular MSU College of Nursing program. The result upon graduation is a presidential appointment as a commissioned officer in the Army Nurse Corps.

The Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) is a voluntary three to four week clinical experience for nurse cadets between their third and fourth years of school. During NSTP nurse cadets will be assigned to a preceptor (a serving Army nurse) at one of the Army Medical Centers or Army Community Hospitals in the continental United States, Hawaii or Europe. NSTP cadets are assigned to a ward and gain hands-on experience in all aspects of clinical nursing.

Advancement and Compensation

Getting Started at MSU

MSU College of Nursing students or pre-nursing students can get started a number of different ways. Freshman and sophomore pre-nursing students can simply register for one of the one-credit Military Science electives without obligation in order to explore career opportunities as an Army Officer. Once in class you will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to be an Army officer.

If you are a sophomore entering or applying for admission to the College of Nursing, you can attend the Leader's Training Course or LTC the summer before your junior year. LTC is a 28-day leadership and training experience at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It is designed to help prepare students who have not been involved in ROTC and have no prior military experience to enter into the 2-year Army ROTC program. LTC candidates must pass a medical exam and a fitness test in the spring semester prior to attending in order make a training reservation.

Exceptionally qualified candidates may be eligible to have the requirement to attend LTC waived by completing the Accelerated Cadet Commissioning Training program (ACCT). ACCT consists of approximately 20 hours of seminar/class meetings to help prospective nurse cadets to "catch up" and be prepared to enter the final two years of Army ROTC. ACCT is taught here on campus and can be conducted in the summer or in the early fall.

If you are a College of Nursing student, or prospective CON student, and are interested in learning more about the opportunity to serve as an Army Nurse, please feel free to email or call for an appointment with the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer, Mr. Andy Harter at 355-1913, ext. 230.

Parents

If my son/daughter enrolls in ROTC, are they enrolled in the U.S. Army?

No. The Army ROTC program at Michigan State University is like any other elective class in college. Just like other electives in college, they will receive college credit. Should students pursue the program to its logical goal, they will become a contracted cadet, complete their "regular" college degree of their choosing, and commission as an Officer in the U.S. Army.

Why should my son/daughter enroll in Army ROTC?

As an ROTC cadet, your son or daughter will learn valuable skills in leadership, organization, and values based training. The pride, discipline, and commitment involved with ROTC will touch other areas in their lives and will positively affect them throughout their lives. Whether they commission or not, students will gain valuable experience they can apply either in the military or in their civilian careers. Employers value the management and leadership skills that ROTC instructors impart. Having ROTC experience on a resume can only benefit a future job seeking graduate, whether it is coupled with military service or not.

Does Army ROTC offer scholarships?

YES!!! Each year hundreds of students attending colleges nationwide receive scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to high school and college students studying degrees in a variety of degree plans from architecture to science and everything in between. The Professor of Military Science can award scholarships to individuals already enrolled in ROTC. Each year, there are more scholarships available than individuals who apply for them.

How much money does ROTC usually award and what does the scholarship cover?

Army ROTC scholarships pay for tuition and academic fees, up to a total of $80,000 for four years. Scholarship winners also receive an annual book allowance of $1200 and a stipend worth up to $6,000.

What is a stipend?

A stipend is a "bonus" for being a contracted ROTC cadet. A contracted cadet earns between $300 and $500 a month depending upon their academic year within the program.

On what basis are scholarships awarded?

ROTC scholarships are not based upon a financial need. Rather, they are awarded on merit. The ROTC program looks at what is known as SAL criteria: SCHOLAR-ATHLETE-LEADER. A student’s grades, their participation in sports in high school or college, and leaderships traits, such as being involved in student government, full or part-time work, and extra-curricular activities. A scholarship awardees need not have all three criteria met, ONE IS ENOUGH. The more well-rounded they are, however, the better there chances.

Is ROTC like boot camp or the movies?

No. ROTC is like any other class taught at the campus. They will have books, attend labs, and receive occasional homework. They will be treated with respect and dignity.

How much time does ROTC take up from other studies?

ROTC courses take up no more time than other college courses. There will be advanced reading, homework, lab work, and occasional extra-curricular activities. We are sympathetic to the scholastic needs of our students and are very flexible to meet the cadet’s needs.

What is the ROTC course?

ROTC is a course in leadership with an implied learning objective in military tactics and techniques. The foundation of ROTC is in its values. We stress loyalty, duty, respect, honor, and integrity, among others. These are the cornerstone of the lessons and are stressed to each cadet. These values will be of use in every facet of a cadet’s life.

My son/daughter is in the Naitonal Guard or U.S. Army Reserve, what happens if his/her unit deploys?

If your son or daughter is a Citizen Soldier (National Guard or Army Reserve soldier) and are enrolled in the ROTC program (2nd semester for Freshmen students), they will not deploy. The U.S. Armed Services recognizes the need for Army Officers and the need to protect them from interrupting their studies. They will continue the program as if their unit had not deployed.

Is there an obligation for military service once my son/daughter is enrolled in ROTC?

During a student’s Freshman and/or Sophomore academic year (provided they are not receiving an ROTC scholarship they are considered a Basic Course Cadet. A Basic Course Cadet has no military obligation; ROTC is a college elective class like any other college elective. Once a cadet enters their Junior academic year, receives a scholarship, and/or contracts, they will incur a service obligation.

What is a service obligation?

A service obligation implies that a cadet will graduate, commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and will serve a minimum of three years in the Active Army, National Guard, or Army Reserve.

Will my son/daughter have to leave the state once they commission?

Not necessarily. They have the option of entering the Active Army, National Guard, or Army Reserve. If they choose either national Guard or Active Reserve, they would be stationed locally in Michigan where they would be subject to deployment rotations like any other Citizen Soldier.

Enlisted members of the Guard or Reserve

Enlisted members of the Guard or Reserve can combine significant benefits that can potentially cover 100% of college expenses at MSU.

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is a volunteer officer training program that allows Army National Guard and Army Reserve enlisted members to participate in the Advanced ROTC Program. Through the SMP program RC enlisted soldiers who have attained academic junior standing can join the Advanced ROTC Program. Non-scholarship cadets can also join the Guard or Reserve without attending basic training for the exclusive purpose of entering the SMP program. Upon completing the ROTC program and earning a commission, the officer can elect to serve in the Reserve Forces or on Active Duty.

What's in it for you?

How to Enroll:

For National Guard specific information contact SFC Richard Dennis, email: richard.r.dennis@us.army.mil or 517-355-1913, ext. 232, or email: Mr. Andy Harter or 517-355-1913, ext. 230. For Army Reserve information contact SSG Benjamin Shackelton, email: benjamin.shackelton@usarec.army.mil or 877-678-3370.

Current enlisted soldiers in the Army

Enlisted soldiers meeting time lines for the Green-to-Gold scholarship program can apply on-line at www.armyrotc.com. Soldiers ETSing and applying for admission to MSU should contact:

The Department of Military Science at MSU at (517) 355-1913, ext. 230 or email Mr. Andy Harter.