Islander Army ROTC

Experience the Camaraderie of ROTC
When you become a part of Army ROTC, you're not just working toward a diploma, but an even brighter future as a leader alongside other motivated Cadets. But make no mistake—you're a student first. You'll have a college schedule like your fellow students, but you'll also receive classroom and field courses that will challenge and excite you. Beyond that, you can take part in events and activities with fellow Cadets that will make your college experience even better.

Lifestyle: Stand out from the Rest
Find out how interesting college can be when you're a part of Army ROTC. You'll be a college student first and foremost, just like the rest of the student body, but there's a key difference: you'll have even more opportunities to succeed.

These opportunities include Field Training Exercises (FTXs) in the spring and fall where cadets build their teamwork and leadership skills, Physical Training (PT) at least three times a week, and events and activities developed by cadets.

Enrolling in the Army ROTC Basic Course (freshman and sophomore courses) does not involve a commitment of service to the Army. Commitment to serve to the Army begins when the student contacts to commission upon graduation. Students can contract as early as their freshman year if they receive a national ROTC scholarship prior to arriving on campus, but most students contract during their second year. It is mandatory to contract in order to enter the third year of Army ROTC.

Army ROTC students who contract to enter the Army ROTC Advanced Courses (junior and senior courses) must agree to complete 8 years of Army service, as follows:

• If selected for Active Duty:
  • 4 years Active, 2 years Reserves & 2 years Ready Reserves (if non scholarshipped)
  • 4 years Active and 4 years Reserves (if ROTC scholarshipped)
    
    
• If selected for Reserve Duty:
  • 6 years Reserves & 2 years Ready Reserves (if non scholarshipped)
  • 8 years Reserves (if ROTC scholarshipped)
    
    
• OR serve 20+ years as a career (active or reserve)

It's Not for Everyone—Just the Leaders of Tomorrow
The specific education you receive in Army ROTC will include things like leadership development, military skills and physical training. This will take place both in the classroom and in the field, but you will have a normal daily schedule like all college students. Army ROTC is comprised of two phases: Basic Course (freshman and sophomore level courses) and Advanced Course (junior and senior level courses).

• Army ROTC Basic Course
  The Basic Course normally takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves one elective class and lab each semester. You will learn basic military skills and the fundamentals of leadership, as well as start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Course without a military commitment.
  
  
• Army ROTC Advanced Course
  The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes one elective class and lab each semester in addition to the requisite physical training and field training exercises, plus a summer leadership camp. You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. To benefit from the leadership training in the Advanced Course, all Cadets must have completed either the Basic Course or have successfully attended the ROTC Basic Camp. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.

• Advanced Camp
  Every Army ROTC Cadet who enters into the Advanced Course attends Advanced Camp. It's a four-week summer course to evaluate and train all Army ROTC cadets. This course normally takes place between your junior and senior years of college and is conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Freshman Year: The Role of the Army

• Introduction to Army Leadership
• Army Customs and Traditions
• Military Operations and Tactics
• Goal Setting and Accomplishment
• Health and Physical Fitness

Sophomore Year: The Role of an Officer

• Applied Leadership Theory
• Communications
• Principles of War
• Military Operations and Tactics

Junior Year: Small Unit Training

• Command and Staff Functions
• Law of War
• Weapons
• Team Dynamics and Peer Leadership
• Military Operations and Tactics

Senior Year: Transition to Becoming an Officer

• Training the Force
• Military Justice
• Ethical Decision Making
• Personnel Management
• Cultural Awareness
• Post and Installation Support
• Military Operations and Tactics

• Bataan Memorial Death March
  Cadets train to complete this 26.2-mile ruck in Arizona. The event memorializes the Bataan Death March, in which approximately 75,000 US and Filipino troops were forced on a grueling trek to prison camps in Japan in 1942, during World War II. Many lost their lives.

• Cadet Club
  This is a TAMU-CC Student Government Association-recognized student group within ROTC. Their function is to integrate ROTC with student activities and college events.

• Color Guard
  Color guard is one of the most widely known and respected groups throughout ROTC as well as the Army and Military. The Color guard is responsible for carrying our nation's colors during parades, athletic events, marches, and other various community events. Members serve at events throughout the campus and community.

• Ranger Challenge
  The Ranger Challenge is an opportunity to "compete" with with other Army ROTC programs in military skills. Cadets compete in a written examination, physical fitness drills, and tactical exercises. Battalions leave Ranger Challenge with stronger bonds and sharper skills.

Those who succeed in the Army ROTC program are students who excel and want something more out of the college experience. Generally, these students are scholars who keep their grades up, athletes who are physically strong, and leaders who have a great desire to learn.

Islander ROTC: A Proud History—A Bright Future

ROTC training began in South Texas at then Texas A&I University in 1951. The program expanded to then Corpus Christi State University in December 1978 as the Javelina Battalion's Charlie Company.

Del Mar College was added to the Charlie Company in the spring of 1984. In 1993, the University changed its name to Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. In September 2006, in recognition of the outstanding contributions and potential to the U.S. Army, the TAMUCC Islander Army ROTC was formed.

Even though the names have changed, the mission of ROTC has remained the same: to develop the future leaders of our military and this great nation of ours.