Military Science (MILS)

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), or Military Science education is a four-year program designed to prepare college students for service as commissioned officers in the United States Army on Active duty or part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. The program is available to qualified Bucknell University, Bloomsburg University, Susquehanna University, Penn College of Technology, and Lycoming College students.

Scholarship first-year students and non-scholarship first- and second-year students may enroll on a trial basis with no commitment to the military. Students may leave the program or continue with advanced courses to earn a commission as an officer upon graduation.

Although the program is designed to start with new first-year students each fall, it is possible to enter the program as late as spring of the sophomore year. Students with prior military service or those who complete a 28-day summer training camp may bypass the first-year and sophomore-level training.

Various types and lengths of scholarships are available, some of which guarantee duty in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Scholarship Cadets receive FULL tuition, a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month, and a book allowance of $1,200 a year. Bucknell University pays room and board for their Scholarship Cadets who are living on campus.

Contracted non-scholarship Cadets receive a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month.

Program requirements include a 30-day summer training course between the junior and senior years. Opportunities exist for other specialized summer training such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, Internships Active Duty Army units and Federal government agencies. A 30-day Culture Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) overseas experience is available to some applicants.

The time commitment for first- and second-year Cadets during the school year is approximately six hours a week. For third- and fourth-year Cadets the time commitment is approximately 10 hours a week. Time is spent on weekly classes, physical training, monthly leadership labs, and a once-a-semester field training exercise.

Courses in Military Science do not carry credit toward the academic courses required for a degree. However, credit for one elective course may be granted upon request for satisfactory completion of the advanced course.

For more information, contact the ROTC department at 570-577-1013 or 570-577-1246.

Faculty

Director: MAJ Michael Kavadias

Instructors: CPT Jeff Cherry (Assistant Director), SFC Jeff Garland, MSG Sean McGlensey