Widener students are eligible to participate in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at the university. Army ROTC offers students the opportunity to graduate with a college degree and a commission in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve.
There is no commitment or obligation to enroll in ROTC. The military science courses offered are electives that students can register for or withdraw from just like any other elective. Students do not major in ROTC, and they cannot be pulled out of college to participate in military operations. Although cadets wear Army uniforms to class once a week, they do not enter the Army until after they graduate and are fully qualified to become commissioned officers.
Army ROTC is a four-year program consisting of a Basic Course taken during the freshman and sophomore years, and an Advanced Course taken during the junior and senior years. Successful completion of the Basic Course is required before placement into the Advanced Course. If a student is considering ROTC but has already completed one or two years of college, the Basic Course requirement can be satisfied through prior military service or attendance of the five-week Army ROTC Cadet Basic Camp at the end of the sophomore year if positions are available.
The military science curriculum focuses on leadership development with the goal of preparing cadets for commissioning as second lieutenants following graduation. ROTC produces 60 percent of the Army’s Officer Corps and over 90 percent of all Army Nurses. The curriculum is intense with a direct practical application under the Leadership Development Program. Activities are conducted on- and off-campus through tours, battlefield staff rides, social functions, and field training exercises. Hands-on training is given in land navigation, first aid, rifle marksmanship, rappeling, small unit tactics, drill and ceremony, physical training, and other basic military skills, all with a focus on leadership tasks.
Army ROTC offers competitive 100% tuition scholarships, plus $1,200 per year for books and a $300–500 per month tax-free stipend. All scholarship winners receive free room and board from Widener University. For more information, see the “ROTC Scholarship ” section of this catalog and contact the Widener University Department of Military Science at 610-499-4098.