Army ROTC is a unique leadership discovery tool. As a cadet, you will be able to discover your leadership style while honing the tactical and technical skills needed to be an Army officer. During classes and field training, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead and motivate others as well as how to conduct a variety of missions.

Registering for an ROTC class is not a commitment to joining the military. This program is designed to allow you the ability to explore the military pathway first.

Army ROTC is a program designed to allow college students to earn a commission in the United States Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve concurrently with their degree. Officers are commissioned in the grade of second lieutenant immediately upon completing ROTC and degree requirements.

Which program is best for me?

I am a high school student.

I am a current college student

I am a currently serving in the Army

What kind of jobs would I perform as an officer?

Officers are leaders. Typically, as a new lieutenant, you will be responsible for leading a platoon of about 30 soldiers in one of the Army's 16 basic branches. If you are a nurse, you will care for soldiers and their families in one of the Army's many modern health care facilities. Find out more about the branches of the Army.

Easy to Start

Any student may take the first two years of Army ROTC at Grand Valley State University without military obligation. To be in ROTC, students register for military science class during their orientation. High school students interested in Army ROTC scholarships may apply in June between their junior and senior years.

No Commitment

Did you ever wonder if the military is something for you, but you're not ready to commit? Take an ROTC class your freshman year. MSL 101 is a one (1) credit hour class that will introduce you to the organization, comradery, and rigor of training in the Army. You can take the freshman and sophomore-level ROTC classes with no obligation to the military. You will take ROTC just like any other class and at the end of the semester you can choose to continue in the program by registering for the next class or you can stop doing ROTC by not registering. 

New experiences and new friends

In ROTC your class is more than classmates, they are your teammates. Your new experiences start with fall welcome as we introduce you to rappelling, drill, and ceremony, ROTC student organizations, and Army-focused team-building competitions. Your first semester will consist of learning land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship, squad-level tactics, and platoon-level movements. You will start your education already integrated into a team. A team that will support you and has your same goals in mind.

If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student with at least two full academic years remaining before completion of your degree, you may qualify for the four-, three- or two-year Army ROTC program. Which program you enter will be determined by your academic level and any previous military experience.

Students take Army ROTC courses for many reasons. Some just want to know more about the Army and learn what it is to be a commissioned officer. Some have already decided to earn their commission as a second lieutenant by participating actively in our program. But, regardless of your particular situation, starting Army ROTC as a freshman or sophomore is as easy as signing up for any other elective course at GVSU. Simply add a section of either MSL101 (freshman level) or MSL201 (sophomore level) for the fall semester, or MSL102 or MSL202 for the spring semester. Each section consists of a class and lab once weekly. These are elective credits that may apply toward your GVSU degree. Once enrolled in one of these military science electives, you can take your time to become familiar with the different Army ROTC options available to you. You are under no obligation by simply taking the elective classes. If at any time you choose to become an active cadet in order to seek a commission, just let us know and we'll work on getting you qualified.

If you are a freshman or sophomore and have already completed your class schedule for the coming semester, you can add a military science class at any time until the completion of the drop and add period. If you want to join ROTC after the official drop/add period, contact the ROTC department to find out how.

If you are in the second semester of your sophomore year or you have less than three years remaining before you graduate, you will be completing the two-year ROTC program. The two-year program has several means by which you can earn constructive credit for the first two years of ROTC. It compresses the first and second-year requirements into one year.

National Guard and Army Reserve

If you are a current college freshman or sophomore, you can opt to enlist in the Army Reserve or Michigan Army National Guard while you complete your degree. You can concurrently earn your commission as an officer through the Army ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program. Freshmen may serve in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard while participating in ROTC but are not eligible for Simultaneous Membership Program benefits until they attain sophomore status. You can enlist in the Guard or Reserve and attend your required training during the summer after your freshman or sophomore year. Upon your return to campus, you can elect to enter the Simultaneous Membership Program.

Currently enlisted members of the Guard and Reserve are also eligible for this program. In the Simultaneous Membership Program, you participate as an ROTC Cadet on campus and train with your Guard or Reserve unit as an officer apprentice. Rather than perform duties in your enlisted Military Occupational Specialty, you will work in concert and under the direct supervision of a commissioned officer, assisting her or him in their officer duties. When performing monthly training and during annual training, you will be paid as an E-5 unless you are already a higher pay grade. Once you have completed basic training and advanced individual training, you will be qualified in your selected MOS. Once you are MOS-qualified, you will be entitled to the Montgomery GI Bill® (Selected Reserve), which pays ~$390 per month while you complete your degree as a full-time student. You may also be eligible for an "officer kicker" of $350 per month. As a member of the Army Reserve or Michigan National Guard, you will be eligible for up to $4,000 per year of Federal Tuition Assistance. In addition to the benefits listed, members of the Michigan National Guard receive State Tuition Assistance up to $14,400 a year.

As an ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program cadet, you will receive a monthly subsistence allowance of $420. All benefits are tax-free. Military duty pay and annual training pay are considered compensation and are taxed.

For more information on the Simultaneous Membership Program at GVSU contact the Michigan Army National Guard, Army Reserve, or GVSU ROTC.

Active Duty

Currently, enlisted soldiers who meet timelines for the Green to Gold Scholarship program can apply online. Soldiers who have completed their time in service and are applying for admission to Grand Valley State University should contact the GVSU ROTC program.

Enrollment options

The Army Green to Gold program is designed to offer enlisted soldiers in the Army the opportunity to earn a commission as Army officers. This program offers enlisted soldiers several unique ways to earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree:

• Green to Gold Scholarship Option — For soldiers who are considering leaving active duty to attend college while receiving full tuition or room and board (capped), flat-rate book payment, and a monthly stipend.
• Green to Gold Active Duty Option — For soldiers who want to remain on active duty and attend college. You must be able to complete your degree in two academic years.
• Green to Gold Non-Scholarship — For soldiers who are considering leaving active duty to attend college while receiving a monthly stipend.