Information for High School Students Interested In Army ROTC At Kent State University
Army ROTC is a program of leadership and military skills training. It prepares Kent State students for officer responsibilities in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard following graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions And Myths About Army ROTC at Kent State University
Am I joining the military if I sign-up for the freshmen or sophomore classes?
No, there is no military commitment for freshmen or sophomore students. You can enroll in the classes as an elective. There is a military commitment if you decide to continue with the Army ROTC program at Kent State University after your sophomore year or accept a scholarship with a military service obligation. Cadets frequently refer to this commitment as contracting.
Do I have to go to boot camp to participate in Army ROTC at Kent State University?
No, you don't go to boot camp if you sign-up for the classes. You can go to boot camp if you enlist in the Army Reserves or Army National Guard. However, you are not required to do so.
Can Army ROTC at Kent State University help me pay for college?
There are several scholarship and financial aid opportunities available. Visit the scholarship page for more information. You can also contact LTC Joe Paydock, Enrollment and Scholarship Officer. His office is located in Terrace Hall on the Kent State University Main Campus. You can call him at (330) 672-8209 or email him at jpaydock@kent.edu.
What happens if there is a war while I'm a college student enrolled in Army? Am I going?
No, you don't have the necessary training and experience as a cadet. Newly commissioned officers from the Army ROTC program still don't have the necessary training and experience even after completing the program. They complete additional training following graduation and commissioning.
What about the training?
Army ROTC cadets at Kent State University receive a variety of classroom and laboratory instruction. Cadets participate in physical training, combat water survival training, basic rifle marksmanship, map reading, land navigation, and many other training events.
What kind of activities can I participate in as a cadet at Kent State University?
Army ROTC cadets at Kent State University compete on the Ranger Challenge team, color guards, and formal events such as the Dining-in and Military Ball. Think of the Ranger Challenge team as the varsity sport of Army ROTC. Ranger Challenge cadets receive additional training in military tactics, marksmanship, map reading, land navigation, orienteering, weapons assembly and disassembly, the proper usage of hand grenades, and physical training. The Dining-in allows the cadets and cadre to strengthen the battalion's unity and unwind. The Military Ball is a more formal event and includes dinner, dancing, and a guest speaker. Additional activities are held through-out the year.
What material is covered in the Army ROTC program at Kent State University?
The basic course emphasizes subjects of value to students regardless of their career aspirations. These courses are offered to all undergraduates and are counted towards your degree as electives. Students enrolled in these lower-division courses are introduced to the role of the military in our society, the fundamentals and dynamics of leadership and management, and the practical application of these fundamentals. There is no military obligation for attending the basic courses.
I want to enroll or I still have additional questions. Can I talk to someone?
Yes, contact LTC Joe Paydock, Enrollment and Scholarship Officer. His office is located in Terrace Hall on the Kent State University Main Campus. You can also call him at (330) 672-8209 or email him at jpaydock@kent.edu.
For more information:
Kent State University
Department of Military Science
106 Terrace Hall
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-ARMY (2769)