Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)

ROTC at SUNY Potsdam is an elective course of study that provides college-trained officers to the United States Army and Air Force. SUNY Potsdam students cross-registered in one of the Clarkson University ROTC programs. Upon graduation and successful completion of either the Army program in Military Science or the Air Force program in Aerospace Studies, students receive appointments as commissioned officers in the grade of second lieutenant. Each program provides a Basic Course in the Freshman and Sophomore years and an Advanced Course in the Junior and Senior years. Army sophomores with no ROTC experience may receive credit by attending a special, expenses paid, six-week long Basic Camp in the summer prior to their Junior year. There are other options available for veterans and graduate students. Students may enroll in the ROTC Basic Course or attend the Basic Camp without incurring any military service obligation. Uniforms and books required for ROTC courses are furnished free of charge to students in the Basic and Advanced Courses. Advanced course students are currently paid $450-$500 per month (tax-free) stipend to offset living costs. Qualified students are eligible to compete for Army and Air Force ROTC Scholarships. For more information, call (315) 268-7989 for Air Force or (315) 265-2180 for Army.

Air, Space, and Cyberspace Studies (Air Force ROTC)

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) combines college study with military leadership, discipline, and training to produce officers and leaders for the United States Air Force. Upon graduation with at least a bachelor’s degree, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Active Duty Air Force. A commission is an appointment to a military office by the President of the United States.

Curriculum

AFROTC is normally a four-year program divided into two portions, the General Military Course (GMC) for Freshman and Sophomores, and the Professional Officer Course (POC) for Juniors and Seniors. All students also complete Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) each semester. Students are allowed to enroll as late as the Fall of their Sophomore year and would enroll in both the Freshman and Sophomore classes.

General Military Course (GMC)

The GMC involves a one credit hour course and a two-hour Leadership Laboratory each semester. The Freshman curriculum introduces the Air Force mission and organization, covers the basics of military customs and courtesies, military correspondence styles, and drill and ceremonies. As a foundational course, it also provides a historical perspective such as lessons on war and US military, AF operations, principles of war, and airpower. The Sophomore curriculum picks up where the Freshman course left off from the historical and continues into WWI through WWII. It also begins discussing elements of the joint fight with introductions into the sister services. This course provides the students with some knowledge-level understanding for the employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective.

Field Training

After successful completion of the GMC, students are normally scheduled to attend Field Training during the summer between the Sophomore and Junior year. Field Training is an intense, three-week, hands-on leadership challenge. Cadets will be evaluated on their mastery of military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and on their leadership ability. Cadets are exposed to a variety of challenges to force them to work as a team, learn to critically evaluate situations, and perform under stress. Many cadets will say that Field Training is a life-changing experience that builds self-confidence and fine-tunes leadership skills.

Professional Officer Course (POC)

After successfully completing Field Training, cadets are sworn in to the POC and are enlisted in the inactive reserves while they complete their final two years of college. The Junior curriculum focuses on an in-depth study of leadership and management concepts. The Senior curriculum continues to emphasize leadership, but introduces national security concepts and issues, military law, the law of armed conflict, and preparation for entrance into the Active Duty Air Force. POC cadets are placed in leadership positions and are charged with running the cadet wing that is modeled after the organizational structure of the active duty Air Force.

Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)

LLAB is a hands-on leadership training program. The POC plan and execute LLABs in which the GMC are instructed in skills they will need to successfully complete Field Training and for a thriving military career. POC members are responsible for planning and executing LLAB, as well as other extra-curricular activities like formal dinners and awards ceremonies. Cadets are challenged in the classroom, and their jobs in the cadet wing require them to put the theories into practice.

Scholarships

Merit-based tuition scholarships are available to AFROTC cadets; they vary from $9,000 to full tuition. Below is a list of scholarships most commonly earned.

• TYPE I - Full tuition and fees scholarship
• TYPE II - $18,000 towards tuition and fees

Other Benefits (all scholarships include the following):

• Monthly Stipend during the academic year - FR = $300, SOPH = $350, JUN = $450, SEN = $500
• $300 per semester for books

Other Activities

Air Force ROTC presents many unique opportunities for its cadets. Every year the cadet corps has the opportunity to visit an Air Force Base and see firsthand how the Air Force works. These trips often include incentive flights on a variety of military aircraft. Cadets can also compete for summertime training opportunities to earn parachute wings (free-fall and airborne), travel to overseas bases at no cost, and more. For more details, contact the Air, Space, and Cyberspace Studies Department at (315) 268-7989.

* Course may be applicable as free electives in some majors where noted. Consult individual departments for details.

Military Science (Army ROTC)

The Clarkson University Army ROTC Golden Knight Battalion was founded in 1936 in order to establish a program in which students could obtain commissions as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army upon graduation. Since then, it has commissioned over 1,300 leaders into the Active, Reserve and National Guard components. Today, the Golden Knight Battalion continues to commission high quality officers from Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and Paul Smith’s College.

The goal of the department is to develop outstanding scholar-athlete-leaders. The specific training you receive in Army ROTC will teach you leadership development, ethics, military law, training management, communications and fitness. This will take place both in the classroom and hands-on in the field, but you will have a normal daily schedule like all college students.

Army ROTC is an integral part of campus life, and cadets are active in all campus activities, including student government, varsity athletics, and Greek organizations. The battalion is approximately 100 cadets strong, and its focus remains on the development and training of America’s future leaders.

Program

The ROTC program complements the traditional college curriculum by emphasizing development of the student’s leadership, management and interpersonal skills through dynamic instruction and challenging, experiential training. This is accomplished through a two-stage curriculum: Army ROTC Basic Course and Advanced Course.

The first stage, or Basic Course, takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It involves one elective class and lab each semester. You will learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without a military commitment.

The second stage, or Advanced Course, takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It includes one elective class and lab each semester, plus a summer leadership course. You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.

Every Army ROTC cadet who enters into the Advanced Course attends Advance Camp. It is a four-week summer camp that evaluates and develops Army ROTC cadets. This camp takes place between your Junior and Senior years of college, and is conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets also attend a weekly leadership lab that complements classroom instruction with experiential learning. Leadership labs focus on the practical application of recent instruction. Labs include a leadership reaction course, land navigation, rappelling, small unit tactics, and drill and ceremonies. Once each semester, cadets may participate in an extended two-day field training exercise, designed to challenge each cadet’s leadership and military skills.

The Golden Knight Battalion also sponsors other events during the year such as a military ball and athletic events. Cadets may also compete to attend the Airborne, Air Assault, and Mountain Warfare schools during the summers. After Junior year, cadets may volunteer for summer training internships in locations throughout the United States, Europe, and Korea. Upon graduation and satisfaction of ROTC requirements, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants into one of 17 specialized branches in the Active Army, Army Reserve or National Guard.

Scholarships

Army ROTC offers a number of scholarships for students interested in the program. Four-, three- and two-year scholarships are awarded to students on a merit-basis. Students may apply for four-year scholarships while still in high school as well as two- and three-year scholarships once on campus. These scholarships include:

1. Full payment of SUNY tuition and mandatory fees or room and board at SUNY Potsdam;
2. $600 per semester for textbooks and classroom supplies;
3. $420 monthly stipend for up to ten months per year.

For more information, visit www.armyrotc.com. To cross-register in an Army ROTC class with no obligation, contact the Golden Knight Batallion at (315) 265-2180 or goldenknightbattalion.com.