Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
Army ROTC
2nd Floor Student Services Building
900 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92521
Tel: (951) 827-7389
Email: armyrotc@ucr.edu
Program Overview
UC Riverside Army ROTC, one of six universities in the Claremont McKenna College Golden Lions, partners with the University of California, Riverside to teach, coach, and mentor cadets on their academic and leadership development journey to become commissioned officers in the United States Army upon graduation. Currently, every UCR Student that has contracted has completed their degree requirements and received a commission in the US Army. The Simultaneous Membership Program allows a student to attend Army ROTC and serve in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard at the same time. The SMP program offers additional training and leadership experience – and an additional paycheck. Cadets serve as officer trainees earning E-5 pay for drill weekends and annual training. This option is available to students who have already attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training and are actively drilling with a unit – and it is also available to students who have no previous experience. Our recruiting officers can coordinate an SMP agreement that allows the cadet this opportunity without requiring the student to attend Basic Training, i.e. without any interruption to the student’s academic trajectory.Army ROTC scholarships pay: Full cost of tuition and fees OR a $12,000/year Effective Fall 2023 room and board allowance. $1,200/year for books $420/month stipend All Army ROTC scholarships are awarded based on merit and grades, not financial need. There are two distinct periods when a student can apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. The first period occurs when the student is a senior in high school. Army ROTC scholarships pay: Full cost of tuition and fees OR a $12,000/year Effective Fall 2023 room and board allowance. $1,200/year for books $420/month stipend All Army ROTC scholarships are awarded based on merit and grades, not financial need. There are two distinct periods when a student can apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. The first period occurs when the student is a senior in high school.
Target Audience and Requirements
Open to all who meet the academic and physical requirements, and who want to pursue a career as an executive leader in the Army. All students at a four-year institution offering ROTC can participate in the program’s Freshman and Sophomore classes without any incurred obligation or commitment. Registering as a “participating non-contract cadet” is extremely straightforward. Baseline information and a physical liability waiver is required to participate in training events, but no obligation to the military is incurred. At a minimum, UCR encourages a six-month trial period that allows a student to get a feel for the program and understand the service requirements of contracting into the program. This period allows students to register for classes, attend all training opportunities, and receive full academic credit through our Cross-Enrollment Program with CSUSB. Instructors utilize this six-month trial period to determine if the student is a good fit for the organization. The student and instructors have regular touchpoints to determine both party's current stance. If the cadet is not meeting standards, instructors provide mentorship and guidance on how to meet the standard. UC Riverside does not turn away any interested student before the junior year. We firmly believe in development and will provide a personal touch to offer a route to improvement. No contract is required until the Junior year. If the cadet fails to meet minimum standards, the cadet will not be offered a contract. If the cadet shows promise and mutual interest in contracting, the cadet will receive a full briefing on the contract process and be given the opportunity.
Deadlines
The second period is available while the student is on campus. At UCR, students interested in competing for scholarships begin participation in the program and submit an application. Claremont McKenna College receives source funding through Cadet Command. Student applications from all six schools in the program are reviewed and judged against one another based on the availability of funds for each grade level. In 2019, three (two sophomores and one freshman) successfully competed for and were awarded full scholarships that will cover the remainder of their tuition and fees costs at UCR.