The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, commonly known as ROTC, teaches students leadership and management skills that help prepare them for successful careers—in the U.S. Army or in civilian life.
Established at IUP in 1950, ROTC is considered a college elective; students are not joining the Army by enrolling. But upon graduation, students who have completed the ROTC course become commissioned officers in the Army.
The ROTC program has two phases: The Basic Course, usually taken during the freshman and sophomore years, involves study of Army history, organization, structure, and basic military skills, such as rifle marksmanship, first-aid training, and land navigation. The Advanced Course, taken in the junior and senior years, focuses on tactical operations and military instruction. Stressed throughout the courses are management, leadership, and command techniques.
IUP’s Military Science Department is housed in one of the largest ROTC facilities on the East Coast, including classrooms with multimedia and Internet capability, an indoor range for pistol and rifle marksmanship, and a library fully stocked with technical and field manuals. Cadets also have access to an outdoor track, several athletic fields and facilities, and a leadership laboratory.
In addition to being useful in both military and civilian careers, skills gained through the ROTC program are highly sought after by a wide range of employers.