Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
Department of Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC)
Mark T. McKenzie, Colonel, U.S. Air Force
Office: 2917 Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh
In the four-year commissioning program, a student takes the general military course (GMC) during the freshman and sophomore years, attends a four-week summer training program, and then takes the professional officer course (POC) in the junior and senior years. In the two-year commissioning program, a student attends a five-week summer training program following his or her junior year and then enters the POC. A student is under no contractual obligation to the Air Force until entering the POC or accepting an Air Force scholarship. In addition to the academic portion of the curriculum, each student attends two hours of leadership lab each week. This lab utilizes a student organization designed for the practice of leadership and management techniques. Two to three and a half year scholarships are available on a competitive basis to qualified students. Many AFROTC scholarships cover a portion of tuition costs, incidentals and lab fees, $600 for books, plus pay each recipient $250-$400 per month.
General Military Course (GMC)
The subject matter for the freshman and sophomore years is developed from an historical perspective and focuses on the scope, structure, and history of military power with emphasis on the development of air power. The freshman courses explore the role of U.S. military forces, and the Air Force in particular, through a study of the total force structure, strategic offensive and defensive forces, general-purpose forces, and support forces. The sophomore courses include an introduction to the history of air power with emphasis on the development of concepts and doctrine governing the employment of U.S. air power.
Professional Officer Course (POC)
The Professional Officer Course, taken during the cadet’s junior and senior years, concentrates on three main themes: the concepts and practices of management, leadership, and national defense policy. During the first term of the junior year, the course concentrates on a study of the management functions: planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling. Basic and advanced management techniques, as found in the military and industrial environment, are explored. The second term deals with the application of general concepts of leadership to Air Force situations. As a basic study of human behavior, human relationships, and professional ethics, the course emphasizes the similarities between the problems encountered in the military and civilian environment. The first term of the senior course concentrates on selected elements of the U.S. government and national security process engaged in producing national strategy as well as various elements of U.S. military forces, doctrine, and employment capabilities. During the second term, the course concentrates on the strategic options available to the U.S. and on the manner in which policy choices are made. The course also includes a review of the military justice system.
For details about the two programs as well as information on the courses, scholarships and flying programs, interested students are encouraged to contact the Air Force ROTC detachment, or write to the Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC, 2917 Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Department of Military Science (Army ROTC)
John N. Bender, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Office: Bellefield Hall, Room 409, University of Pittsburgh
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program support-ing Carnegie Mellon University is located at the University of Pitts-burgh. It exists to train the future officer leadership of the United States Army and offers opportunities and challenges that can put college students on the fast track to success in life. ROTC provides a combination of academics and important hands-on training, in addition to physical and mental challenges that will help students succeed in college and beyond. Through the training in ROTC, students will develop the confidence, self-esteem, motivation and leadership skills they will need regardless of their career plans.
The Four-Year Program
The traditional Four-Year program is divided into two parts. The Basic Course is taken in the freshman and sophomore years. There is no commitment for non-scholarship students at this level. Upon success-ful completion of the Basic Course, students are eligible for the Advanced Course, taken in the junior and senior years. At the beginning of the Advanced Course, students will decide whether or not they wish to become officers in the Army and enter into a formal contract. During the summer between the junior and senior years, students are required to attend the the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). Upon successful completion of a University degree and the Army ROTC program, students are commissioned into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant.
The Two-Year Program
If the first two years of ROTC are not taken, students can attend the Leader’s Training Course (LTC) during the summer between the sophomore and junior year. This camp will qualify students to begin the Advanced Course in their junior year or in the first year of a two-year graduate program. Or, if students have served in the active duty military, attended a military academy for one year, participated in JROTC for three years or belong to a Army National Guard or Army Reserve unit, they already qualify for entrance into the Advanced Course.
The Alternative Entry Program
The Alternative Entry Program is designed for academic junior students with no prior qualifying military training but are otherwise qualified. This option allows students to contract into the Advanced Course without receiving placement credit for the basic course. Students accepted into this program must complete the Leader’s Training Course and the Leader Development and Assessment Course during the summer months.
Curriculum
| Freshman Year | Units | |
| 30-101 | Introduction to Military Leadership - Fall | 5 |
| 30-102 | Foundations of Leadership- Spring | 5 |
| Sophomore Year | Units | |
| 30-201 | Leadership Dynamics and Application- Fall | 5 |
| 30-202 | Applications in Leadership and Combat Power- Spring | 5 |
| Junior Year | Units | |
| 30-301 | Basic Leader Planning and Combat Operations- Fall | 5 |
| 30-302 | Advanced Leader Planning and Combat Operations- Spring | 5 |
| Leadership Development Assessment Course (six-week required summer camp) | ||
| Senior Year | Units | |
| 30-401 | Progressive Leadership Theory and Applications- Fall | 5 |
| 30-402 | Transition to the Profession of Arms- Spring | 5 |
Army ROTC Scholarships
Army ROTC offers four, three and two year full scholarships with additional annual allowances of $900 for books and a monthly stipend. High school, undergraduate and incoming two-year graduate students are eligible to apply. For application and information call ROTC at the University of Pittsburgh at (412) 624-6254/6197.
The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
This program allows students to become members of the Army National Guard or the Army Reserves while enrolled in Army ROTC. Students in the Advanced Course who are SMP are paid for their Guard/Reserve training. The benefit of this program is that students in the Advanced Course are able to act as Army officers in their National Guard or Reserve unit, receiving valuable leadership experience.
Summer Programs
Leadership Development & Assessment Course
This 35-day camp is a requirement for all contracted students. Students attend the summer between their junior and senior year. Students are placed in various leadership positions throughout Camp and their skills and abilities will be tested and evaluated in preparation of a commission in the United States Army. All expenses are paid by the Army. Students are paid while attending.
Leader’s Training Course
This 35-day camp is taken as a prerequisite for entry into the Ad-vanced Course if the Basic Course cannot be fulfilled. It is taken the summer before the junior year. All expenses are paid by the Army. Students are paid while attending.
Army Adventure Training
ROTC students may participate in Airborne School, Air Assault School, Northern Warfare School and Mountain Warfare School the summer before the sophomore and junior year. These courses range from two to four weeks and students must arrive in top physical condition. All expenses are paid by the Army.
Extracurricular Activities
Rangers
Army ROTC students are eligible to participate in the Cadet Ranger Club. The Club conducts physically and mentally challenging extracurricular training to promote fitness, teamwork, self-confidence and fellowship. Training includes physical fitness, rappelling, rope bridging, tactics, hiking, climbing, weapons training and orienteering.
Scabbard & Blade
National Honor Society consisting of cadets/midshipmen from Army, Air Force and Naval ROTC.
Rho Tau Chi
Military fraternity established for the members of the various branches of ROTC. Purpose is to draw together cadets to increase communication and feelings of goodwill between the Cadet Corps and the community. Cadets participate in a variety of community service projects.
Color Guard
Dedicated group of Army ROTC cadets who train and perform to present the American flag and Army colors at football and basketball games and various community events.
Department of Naval Science (Naval ROTC)
Gregory Billy, Captain, U.S. Navy
Office: 4615 Forbes Avenue
The Department of Naval Science was established 16 December 1987. Its mission is to prepare young men and women mentally, morally, and physically, and to instill in them the highest qualities of duty, honor, and loyalty, in preparation for leadership positions in the naval service.
Carnegie Mellon’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is designed for young men and women who are seeking a challenging academic experience and who desire to serve their country as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps after graduation.
NROTC midshipmen lead the same campus life as other Carnegie Mellon students. They make their own arrangements for room and board, choose a preferred area of study and participate in extracurricular activities. Midshipmen wear civilian clothes to classes but wear uniforms one day of the week. NROTC students are active in all facets of university life; many are in positions of leadership in student government, on varsity and intramural sports teams, in campus clubs, and other student organizations. The NROTC program seeks students who are bright, ambitious, enthusiastic leaders whose lives are enriched by their education at Carnegie Mellon and by their involvement in NROTC.
Four-Year Scholarship Program
The four-year scholarship program provides full tuition and university fees, $750 for textbooks per year, uniforms, and a $250 per month tax-free subsistence allowance to students during their freshman year. This stipend then increases to $300 during their sophomore year, $350 for their junior year and $400 for their senior year. Midshipmen must complete the university-approved curriculum of their choice, including courses in calculus and calculus-based physics (Navy Option Only), and specified courses in naval science subjects. Paid summer training periods are also provided. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a nationwide competition before the start of the freshman year. Midshipmen commissioned through the scholarship programs become officers in the Navy or Marine Corps and incur a four-year active duty obligation in a selected area of the naval service.
Tweedale Scholarship Program
This scholarship program provides the same benefits as the four-year program, but is targeted toward currently enrolled students who have completed at least one, but not more than four semesters, and who are pursuing technical majors. This program allows a highly-qualified engineering, physics, chemistry, or mathematics student who has never applied for a NROTC scholarship in the past to be considered for this scholarship. Solid academic standing within his or her field of study is required, including a ranking within the top half of students pursuing his or her chosen course of study. If nominated by the Professor of Naval Science for this scholarship, the student will generally receive a scholarship decision within 5 working days from submission. Midshipmen commissioned through the scholarship programs become officers and incur a four-year active duty obligation in a selected area of the naval service.
College (Non-Scholarship) Programs in NROTC
Qualified students may participate in NROTC as college program (non-scholarship) midshipmen and earn commissions in the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve upon graduation. The active duty obligation for this program is three years. Students receive all naval science textbooks and uniforms. Additionally, if awarded advanced standing during their junior and senior years, they receive a tax-free subsistence monthly allowance of $350 and $400 respectively. A paid summer training period is provided between the junior and senior year. College program students may compete for three- and two-year scholarships described in the following paragraph.
College Program Three- and Two-Year Scholarships
Three-year scholarships are available on a competitive basis to those qualifying college program (non-scholarship) NROTC students who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence during their freshman or sophomore year and are nominated for the scholarship by the Professor of Naval Science. Scholarship benefits are identical to those provided by the four-year scholarship program. Active duty obligation is four years upon commissioning in a selected area of the naval service.
Two-Year National Scholarship Program
Sophomores who have not participated in the NROTC program may apply for a nationally competitive two-year NROTC scholarship. The two-year scholarship program provides the same benefits as the four-year program for a period of 20 months. Students must apply for this program no later than February of their sophomore year. Students selected for this program attend the Naval Science Institute during the summer before their junior year to complete required naval science course material. A paid summer training period is provided between the junior and senior years. Commissionees incur a four-year active duty obligation upon graduation in a selected area of the naval service.
Curriculum
The sequence of naval science courses is the same for all officer candidates for the first three semesters. Midshipmen accepted into the Marine Corps option program will have curriculum variations starting with their third year. Additionally, some candidates may be required to complete courses in American military affairs, national security policy, English, mathematics, and/or the physical sciences. Descriptions of the course requirements for each candidate classification (scholarship/college program) may be obtained from the Department of Naval Science office.
All scholarship and college program students are required to attend a weekly 1.5 hour Naval Laboratory (32-100) where professional orientation, military drill, physical fitness, and leadership are emphasized. Guest speakers from the Fleet are frequent participants in these laboratories.
Naval Science courses are open to all students. Since these are required courses for NROTC students, they will be given priority in enrollment. Remaining spaces will be filled through the normal university registration process.
(Naval Science Courses)Naval Professional Academic Courses
| Freshman Year | Units | |
| 32-100 | Naval Laboratory | 3 |
| 32-101 | Introduction to Naval Science | 6 |
| 32-102 | Seapower and Maritime Affairs | 6 |
| Sophomore Year | Units | |
| 32-200 | Naval Laboratory | 3 |
| 32-201 | Leadership & Management | 9 |
| 32-212 | Navigation * | 9 |
| Junior Year | Units | |
| 32-300 | Naval Laboratory | 3 |
| 32-310 | Evolution Of Warfare ** | 9 |
| 32-311 | Naval Ship Systems I-Engineering * | 9 |
| 32-312 | Naval Ship Systems II-Weapons * | 9 |
| Senior Year | ||
| 32-400 | Naval Laboratory | 3 |
| 32-402 | Leadership and Ethics | 6 |
| 32-410 | Amphibious Warfare ** | 9 |
| 32-411 | Naval Operations and Seamanship * | 9 |
Footnotes:
* Required of students in the Navy Option
** Required of students in the Marine Option
All other courses are required of all students in the program.