During the one-hour weekly courses, you’ll learn leadership skills, the organization of the Army, basic soldiering skills, first aid and communications. You’ll also have the opportunity to rappel and acquire marksmanship skills. You are welcome to participate in any physical training or adventure training that we conduct. You can also receive credit for the Basic Course if you completed four years of Junior ROTC (of any service) in high school. If you have not completed four semesters of the Basic Course or are not qualified through JROTC participation, you can still receive credit for the Basic Course in order to enroll in the Advance Course by completing the Leadership Training Course.
If you are already a sophomore and haven’t considered ROTC until now, it is not too late. Basic Camp is your opportunity to not only enter the ROTC program as a junior but also to compete for a scholarship. Students in their sophomore year have the opportunity to attend Basic Camp during the summer for five weeks at Fort Knox. Basic Camp, and the two-year program entry point, provides instruction in the basic leadership and technical skills that will prepare you for your junior and senior years of ROTC. Through Basic Camp you can examine the Army without incurring an obligation and qualify for Advanced Course entry. During this camp you have the opportunity to compete for over 400 two-year ROTC scholarships. All travel expenses are paid in addition to the pay you will receive while attending camp.
The last two years of ROTC comprise the Advanced Course. You must sign a contract and agree to serve in the Army Reserve, National Guard or Active Army to complete this program. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Course, you will be an Army second lieutenant. Your junior year you will learn small unit tactics and will be taught to lead squad and platoon-sized units. As a senior, you will learn the basics of being an Army officer.
The junior year is the culminating year for being evaluated and undergoing the most intense leadership training. The summer following the junior year is spent attending the Advanced Camp, a five-week course in training at Fort Knox. Cadets are evaluated on leadership fundamentals and individual training. The senior year is spent polishing leadership techniques you will use as a second lieutenant.
Addition training (such as physical training, weekend field training at Fort Jackson and leadership lab time) will be required according to your class level. Training is intentional and does not require marches, drill sergeant hazing or pushups in the rain at the drop of a hat.
The Leadership Lab is an opportunity once a week for the cadets to implement and build on the leadership skills learned in the classroom. Leadership Lab activities include land navigation, infantry battle tactics, marksmanship and water survival training.
We h4ly encourage a healthy lifestyle that incorporates a regular fitness program. Our physical training (PT) consists of running, playing sports, lifting weights, doing obstacle courses, etc. Juniors, seniors and scholarship students are required to participate in PT three days a week, generally on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Ranger Challenge consists of competition between teams from each ROTC detachment at various colleges and universities. Eleven cadet teams compete in a rigorous two-day competition consisting of eight events. Events may include the Army Physical Fitness Test, a written patrolling exam, basic rifle marksmanship, orienteering, a hand grenade assault course, weapons assembly, the construction of a one-rope bridge and the 6.2-mile road march in full combat gear.
All it takes Is three weeks at Fort Benning, a couple gallons of sweat, a few thousand falls and five little steps out of an aircraft 1,200 feet up, and you will earn the coveted wings of the U.S. Army Paratrooper. Cadets have the opportunity to compete for a slot to the U.S. Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Cadets may compete for a slot in Air Assault School held at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During this 10-day course, you will master rappelling, rigging helicopter sling loads and a monster obstacle course. In addition, you'll learn how to guide aircraft and set up landing zones. After 10 days, the only thing standing between you and your Air Assault wings will be a 12-mile road march with 35 pounds on your back.
Cadets may have the option of attending Cadet Troop Leadership Training. CTLT involves following a second lieutenant in an active-duty or reserve unit for a number of weeks. Cadets are exposed to the daily life of a platoon leader and are given responsibilities that they will encounter upon commissioning.
Cadets may choose to honor our nation when they serve as members of various color guards that represent our nation, the Army and Wofford.
Outside of ROTC, cadets can take advantage of the full range of extracurricular activities and events offered at Wofford.