The Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) offers individuals an opportunity to earn a commission in the military while attending a civilian educational institution of higher learning. With an Army ROTC scholarship, students may qualify for up to 100% tuition assistance while gaining skills to become a military officer one day. Applicants can apply while in high school, as a college or university student, or as an active-duty enlisted service member. ROTC cadets are sometimes mistaken for members of the Corps of Cadets, but there are significant differences between the two programs. First, the Corps of Cadets is only offered at six senior military colleges (SMCs): Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, University of North Georgia, and Norwich University. Additionally, SMC graduates are assured a military commission following program completion but are not obligated to serve, whereas ROTC cadets sign a contract committing them to a service obligation. Moreover, the lifestyle of a ROTC cadet is notably different from Corps students in that the former wears a uniform and attends physical training two to three times per week, while for the latter, these are daily tasks.

The aspiring military officers of the ROTC program regularly engage with other students and often form life-long relationships through Greek life and other campus organizations. These interactions provide various platforms for these military-affiliated students to influence their instructors, administrators, fellow students, and the greater community, either positively or negatively. Although ROTC cadets are not appointed formally as recruiters, their individual and collective actions can undoubtedly impact how those around them view the military as an institution. In recent polling, only nine percent of service-aged Americans indicated a desire to serve. That number is down from the 23 percent that pondered serving only a few years ago. Those ROTC cadets are uniquely positioned among the key recruiting demographic to positively impact their peers and potentially inspire them to serve.

In the fall of 2021, females comprised 58% of the undergraduate student population but were significantly underrepresented in ROTC programs nationwide. Female cadets may be minoritized in ROTC and again on campus due to their military affiliation. This feeling can be minimized through regular, deliberate engagement between ROTC cadets and the larger student body. It is vital for the professor of military science (PMS), leader of ROTC at each institution, to be involved around campus and not just in the administration of the ROTC program. I have seen ROTC leaders implement thriving community and campus outreach endeavors by hosting 5k runs to commemorate events not exclusive to the military, such as Women's History Month or Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Additionally, during the holidays, ROTC programs have led toy and food drives, volunteered to feed people experiencing homelessness, and organized campus activities for students unable to be with their families.

What initiatives can be launched outside of acknowledging special holidays? ROTC programs could evaluate the needs of the campus to gauge interest in several potential activities:

• Adjusting the time of one physical fitness session per month can promote increased participation and modifying the session's activities to be something more inclusive can enhance interest in the ROTC program.
• Cadets can also establish regular tutoring sessions to assist their peers in subjects where they may be struggling. Individuals who act as community citizens often foster goodwill through their actions and foster a positive operating climate.
• Administrators and ROTC leadership can work together to ensure that the ROTC population is an active part of the campus environment, not just tenants of the institution. Understanding that personalities significantly impact the relationships between the two, both sides should put forth a good-faith effort to ensure that collaboration, not isolation, is of the utmost importance.

This article is not designed to serve as a recruiting piece. It is intended to emphasize the benefits of ROTC and the symbiotic relationship that should exist between the educational institution and the ROTC program. Some cadets would not have the opportunity to pursue a college education without ROTC funding. Also, a career of military service, something that may have been looked down upon just a few generations ago, provides a gateway to fulfilling professional aspirations that may not have been reached without it.

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Military Focused Events Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Workplace Inclusion

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