Special Undergraduate Academic and Co-Curricular Programs
The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) prepares college-trained officers for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve as a military officer. With the exception of a four-week summer training for new incoming juniors into ROTC, or a five-week summer training for seniors with all expenses paid, most of the instruction is presented on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus or the home campus of the program located at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. Two field training exercises are conducted during the year to further enrich the students’ appreciation of the military officer in its broadest sense and to develop good leadership skills.
A commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve or National Guard is awarded to individuals who have successfully completed the ROTC program and obtained a baccalaureate or a graduate degree. Currently, college graduates who are commissioned through ROTC are placed on either active duty, the reserves or National Guard duty, depending on their desires and on the needs of the service at the time of graduation. The length and type of obligation will depend on the scholarship awarded.
ROTC instruction usually is presented over the four years of traditional full-time study. This also allows commissioning at the same time graduation requirements are met. However, a two- or three-year program is available for students who were unable to take the first two years of instruction and want to earn a commission.
Financial assistance is available through the U.S. Army Scholarship Program. Two-, three- and four-year scholarships are awarded each year to selected students who are enrolled or will enroll in the Army ROTC program. The scholarships provide 100% payment of tuition, most fees, a tax-free payment of $300-$500 per month for the duration of the scholarship, not to exceed 10 months for each year of the scholarship, and a flat-rate book allowance of $600 each semester. These scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Non-scholarship contracted cadets in the advanced portion of ROTC receive $300-$500 per month, not to exceed 10 months per year for two years.
The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows students to be a member of a National Guard or Reserve unit while enrolled in ROTC. Advanced course SMP students receive E5/SGT pay, plus $300-$500 per month from ROTC, plus any Active Duty GI Bill entitlement.
Rockhurst students who would like more information about the ROTC program should contact the Department of Military Science at University of Missouri-Kansas City: (816) 235-1152, armyrotc@umkc.edu, or www.umkc.edu/rotc; or call the main program office at Missouri Western State University at (816) 271-4541/4542, or visit the website at: www.missouriwestern.edu/ROTC.
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