UofO brings back ROTC program

The University of the Ozarks has re-established its Reserve Officers' Training Corps program for the spring 2018 semester.

The program was re-established in collaboration with the University of Central Arkansas' ROTC program. UofO last had ROTC on campus in the late 1980s, according to a news release.

UofO Assistant Vice President for Advancement Reggie Hill said about a dozen current UofO students have shown interest in being part of the new program that prepares selected students to serve as commissioned officers in the active or reserve components of the U.S. Army.

"We are excited about providing our students with another pathway to long-term success and with additional career options," Hill said. "ROTC is a first-class leadership and management program that offers an unparalleled opportunity for personal development. ROTC is also one of the nation's leading sources of college scholarships, which is another great benefit to our current students as well as prospective students."

UofO's new program will fall under the administration of UCA's program, which includes eight Arkansas colleges and universities and forms the Bayonet Battalion, headquartered at UCA. Hill said UofO is planning to add a minor in military science for the fall 2018 semester. UofO students enrolled in the ROTC program will take military science classes and leadership labs, as well as conduct physical training through the Arkansas Tech University affiliate program in Russellville.

Capt. Matthew Sweeney, assistant professor of military science and officer in charge at ATU, said there are 35 students enrolled in the ROTC program at ATU.

"I am honored to be a part of helping re-establish the program at Ozarks and to help attract, motivate and develop good young officers for either the U.S. Army's reserve components or active duty," Sweeney said. "I'm well aware of the great academic reputation of Ozarks and I know it has high-quality students. We're here to give those students who might have an interest in the military another option and to continue to expand the pipeline for top-quality officers as much as we can."

Army ROTC offers two, three and four-year scholarships, awarded strictly on merit. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees. Additionally, they receive a stipend of $300 a month as a freshman, $350 a month as a sophomore, $450 a month as a junior, and $500 a month as a senior, as well as a stipend for books.

The Army ROTC Program is of modular construction and composed of a basic and an advanced course. Enrollment in the basic course is open to all full-time students, and it carries with it no obligation for military service. Completion of the basic course is a prerequisite for application to the advanced course. Upon successful completion of the program and graduation from college, young men and women become an army lieutenant in either the active Army, Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve.

For more information on the university's ROTC program, please contact the UofO office of admission at (479) 979-1227.

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