Army ROTC at Penn State Behrend is an elective course taken alongside your major course of study that provides you with the tools, training, and experiences needed to become an officer in the U.S. Army. ROTC also offers generous scholarship opportunities.
ROTC is not a major; it is designed to develop and enhance today's students' leadership and management skills. These skills apply to any degree or career, enhancing your educational experience while simultaneously making you more marketable in any career field. While in ROTC, students lead the life of a typical college student but have the bonus of training in communication, time management, and personnel organization. Upon graduation, you may earn a commission as a second lieutenant, an officer in the U.S. Army.
Courses are worth two or three credits, and all Penn State majors accept at least six credits of ROTC. You may take first-year and sophomore Army ROTC classes (the Basic Course) with absolutely no military obligation. Introductory courses teach the fundamentals of leadership, the organization of the U.S. military, and basic soldiering skills, and they apply to your academic major's elective requirements.
As a participant in our Basic Course, you are also eligible for the many exciting extracurricular and social activities within Penn State's ROTC program. Not only does completion of the two-year Basic Course look outstanding on any job application, but Army ROTC also provides world-class leadership training and is an invaluable part of a successful and rewarding college experience.
Applying to ROTC
Trying Penn State Behrend Army ROTC is as easy as registering for any other course.
- If you are an incoming first-year student, add ARMY 101 to your list of courses when you come to New Student Orientation during the summer.
- If you are already enrolled, you can add ARMY 101, just like any other class.
More Information
If you have questions about Army ROTC at Penn State Behrend, please contact Raymond E. Patterson (CPT Ret.), contractor, at [email protected] or 814-871-ROTC.
For more information about the Army ROTC program, call 814-871-ROTC, visit the Discover page, or visit the local Army ROTC program website (search for Penn State Erie Campus).