The United States Army partners with Fitchburg State University to instruct a leadership training program on the university campus that is designed to train, educate, and develop leaders who will be commissioned as officers in the United States Army. The leadership training program is the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program.
The ROTC program consists of classes on military science, leadership labs, physical fitness, teamwork, and practical exercises designed to teach both the theory and the practice of leadership. ROTC events are integrated into the university schedule.
All who are interested in this program are welcome to interview. Enrollment and participation in ROTC is free. ROTC scholarships available for 2, 3, or 4 years. However, ROTC is not for everyone. Enrolling in ROTC means a commitment to academic excellence, a commitment to physical fitness, a commitment to teamwork and selfless service, and a commitment to defend our country.
ROTC is the gateway to future success as an officer and leader in careers such as cyber and network defense, learning to fly and being a leader in army aviation, medical and nursing, military police, military intelligence, learning to lead at ground level in the infantry, cavalry, artillery, and more.
You will learn to be an integral part of something greater than yourself. Learn to Lead, Develop, and Achieve. Make a commitment to Life, Liberty, the pursuit of Happiness; and to defend our Country.
ROTC Programs and Scholarships
2 and 4 Year Programs
2 year program is for those unable to complete the normal four-year curriculum before graduation. 4 years program integrates with the normal baccalaureate degree program.
Basic and Advanced Courses and Enrollment Criteria
Learn more about the basic and advanced courses and their enrollment criteria.
SMP/Green to Gold/Scholarships
Learn more about our SMP and Green to Gold programs and all the ROTC scholarships available.
Army External Links
ROTC Can Lead to Army Cyber Command
- Army Cyber Command is made up of elite warriors who defend Army networks and provide full-spectrum cyber capabilities to the United States Army and our Nation.
- U.S. Army Cyber Command is the Army Cyber component of United States Cyber Command. We operate and defend Army networks and deliver cyberspace effects against adversaries to defend our Nation.
- The Army’s cyber force is engaged in the real-world cyberspace fight today, against near-peer adversaries, Islamic State (ISIS), and other global cyber threats. We defend military networks, secure Army weapons platforms, and help protect critical U.S. infrastructure. Traditional boundaries no longer exist and anonymous attacks can occur at near-light speed over fiber optic networks.
- Qualified Army Officers, with college degrees in technology, are wanted to lead in the United States Army Cyber Corps.
How to Register for Army ROTC Classes
ROTC is not for everyone, but that's kind of the point
ROTC is one of the best leadership courses in the country. The instruction you receive in Army ROTC will center around the Army's Leadership Development Program which focuses on knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through education, training, and experience. You will be provided the tools that will help you succeed in any competitive environment.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester is the host institution of the Army ROTC Program Bay State Battalion and includes a well-diversified student body with over 90 Cadets from WPI and the Worcester area colleges, Fitchburg State University and UMASS Lowell. Training and classes are held at WPI, Fitchburg State University and UMASS Lowell.
Find out why it has been called, “The Best Leadership Course in America!”
For more information contact our Enrollment Officer, Mr. Darryl Gill at dlgill@wpi.edu or 508.831.5268. He will get you started in the program and answer any questions, and provide information on ROTC Scholarships, Summer Internships, and Summer Training.
Register for Army ROTC at Fitchburg State:
Once you are accepted as a Fitchburg State student, you will be granted access to MyFalcon (Self-Service Banner) online portal.
- View the instruction page on how to register for classes and obtain a permission number if necessary.
- Then you will register for the appropriate ROTC class prior to the Fitchburg State semester’s add/drop deadline.
- Click the appropriate class year from the drop-down menu below to see what courses to register for.
ROTC Courses
Program information from the University Catalog.
Fall semester:
MILS 1100 Foundations of Leadership
Spring semester:
MILS 1200 Basic Leadership
Fall semester:
MILS 2100 Individual Leadership Studies
Spring semester:
MILS 2250 Leadership and Teamwork
Fall semester:
MILS 3150 Leadership and Problem Solving
Spring semester:
MILS 3200 Leadership and Ethics
The Basic Course refers to the first two years of the four year ROTC program and includes the MS I and MS II Military Science Classes. The Basic Course introduces the cadet to the Army and the Army to the student. Initial instruction is intended to create a working knowledge of ROTC and the Army.
The specific goals of the Basic Course are:
- Provide the cadet with an overview of Army ROTC and the Army (History, Customs, Regulations, Opportunities)
- Develop a sense of responsibility toward academics and ROTC
- Develop self-confidence
- Develop a sense of belonging
- Help deserving cadets earn scholarship money
- Encourage qualified cadets to contract into the Advanced Course
- Provide the cadet with time management and stress coping skills
The Basic Course is open to all students with no obligation for future military service.
Enrollment Criteria for Basic Course
Applicants must:
- Be of good moral character
- Be a U.S. citizen (or in the process of getting your citizenship; citizenship is a requirement for commissioning)
- Be at least 17 years old to begin ROTC and under 30 years of age at time of commissioning (waivable)
- Be enrolled in and attending full-time a school participating in the Senior ROTC program; pursue a course of instruction that will ultimately lead to an approved baccalaureate or advanced degree
- Have a GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Execute a loyalty oath or affirmation
- Not be a conscientious objector
- Be approved by the Professor of Military Science to contract and commission
Selected students, who meet qualification standards, may enter the Advanced Course. The Advanced Course taught during the third and fourth years, includes such topics as management theory, personal and performance counseling, ethics, professionalism, written and verbal communications, military law, law of war, and study of military tactics. The main objective of the Advanced Course is to develop leaders to be officers in the U.S. Army.
The Advanced Course provides both classroom instruction and hands on learning experiences.
The specific goals of the Advanced Course are:
- Prepare cadets to successfully complete the Leadership Development and Assessment Course
- Prepare cadets to lead and train Basic Course cadets
- Enable cadets to make informed decisions as to component (Active vs. Reserve) and branch (job) in the Army
- Develop leadership and managerial skills
- Prepare cadets for success at the Officer Basic Course (upon graduation)
The Advanced Course is open to qualified cadets who have completed the Basic Course (or received credit for the Basic Course). Cadets do incur a military commitment upon entrance into the Advanced Course.
(All Advanced Course Cadets receive a stipend of $450 per month MS III year and $500 a month MS IV year. Amounts subject to change in accordance with Cadet Command.)
Enrollment Criteria for Advanced Course
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate leadership and officer potential
- Have at least two full academic years remaining in college
- Have received Basic Course Credit
- Be medically qualified
- Be physically qualified
- Execute a contract with the U.S. Army