Interested in ROTC?

Here are the basics.

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a leadership program designed to develop qualified college students in preparation for future service as an Army officer in either the active force, Army Reserves or National Guard. It is a part of your overall college experience and is designed to augment your NIU academic program.

ROTC Basic Course

This is the first two years of ROTC, and you can take these first two years without any obligation to the Army. It is an opportunity to investigate what ROTC is about and gauge your interest. Likewise, it is an opportunity for the instructors to evaluate your potential to one day become an Army officer. The basic course consists of MILS101, MILS102 (freshman level, fall and spring semester respectively), MILS201 and MILS202 (sophomore level, fall and spring semesters respectively). In addition to classroom instruction, all MILS courses involve a Leadership Lab.

Physical Readiness Training (PT) meets three days per week, 6:30 am to 7:30 am. It is optional for non-scholarship basic course students. KNPE 198 is an additional class you can enroll in to receive two college credits for attending the PT sessions. The battalion also has a Field Training Exercise each semester - also voluntary for basic course, non-scholarship students.

ROTC Advanced Course

These are the final two years of the program. To proceed from the basic course to the advanced course, you must sign a contract with the U.S. Army, making a commitment to completing the program and accepting a commission in the Army, Army Reserves or National Guard upon graduation. In addition to the classroom work (MILS301, 302, 401 and 402), all contracted cadets must attend Physical Readiness Training and the battalion fitness training exercises. Once contracted, you’ll receive a monthly stipend.

During the summer between the junior and senior year, all cadets must attend the Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky for 30 days.