ROTC

The Army maintains a senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at St. Mary’s University. Our Lady of the Lake University students interested in participating in Army ROTC may do so through the cross-enrollment agreement between St. Mary’s and OLLU. Four-year and two-year programs are available to eligible students.

Military Science classes and leadership labs are held at St. Mary’s University. Classes are held throughout the week and all military science classes include a leadership lab requirement. The leadership lab is a two-hour course taught every Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. It is intended to supplement classroom instruction and focuses on development of individual leadership skills through field training, practical exercises, and visits to military installations.

Four-Year Program

The Basic Course, usually pursued during the freshman and sophomore years, is voluntary for students who are physically qualified for military training. There is no obligation incurred unless the student accepts an ROTC scholarship. Veterans who have completed Army basic training (or sister service equivalent) and who received an honorable discharge, or high school students who have completed three or four years of high school JROTC may be granted credit for the basic course with approval of the St. Mary’s Professor of Military Science.

The Advanced Course may be pursued by students who are physically and academically qualified. Cadets are normally enrolled in the Advanced Course during their junior and senior year or during graduate school. Students are required to attend a four-week ROTC Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) the summer following the junior year. Upon satisfactory completion of LDAC and the academic work required for a degree, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Regular Army, the Army Reserves, or the Army National Guard.

Two-Year Program

In addition to the standard four-year course outlined above, the St. Mary’s University Military Science Department offers a two-year program for those who are Veterans who have completed Army basic training (or sister service equivalent) and who received an honorable discharge, or high school students who have completed three or four years of high school JROTC may enroll in the Advance Course with approval of the St. Mary’s Professor of Military Science. For those students that did not complete the Basic Course. In order to enroll in the Advanced Course, a student must successfully complete four weeks weeks Cadet Initial Entry Course (CIET) provided at Fort Knox, KY. During the summer months prior to beginning the junior year or the first year of graduate school.

If students desire to take advantage of this opportunity, they should communicate directly with the St. Mary’s enrollment officer no later than January 1 of the year preceding the last two years of college. Those students seeking a master’s degree or law degree are eligible to participate in the two-year program.

Scholarship and Remuneration

The Army offers four, three, and two year competitive scholarships. This assistance consists of payment up to $30,000 per year to cover tuition and fees, a $1,200 a year book stipend, and a monthly stipend of $350 to $500 per month. The student need NOT be enrolled in the ROTC program to apply for a scholarship. Students interested in competing for scholarship assistance should contact the St. Mary’s University Army ROTC enrollment officer at 210-436-3415. Additionally, students are paid for all required summer training.

Formally enrolled Advanced Course students, not under the scholarship program, will be given a grant at the rate announced annually by the Secretary of the Army (currently this rate if $450 to $500 per month) not to exceed 20 months. During the CLC, all students are paid at the rate of one half of the base pay per month of a second lieutenant in lieu of subsistence allowance.

Uniform and Equipment

All uniforms, textbooks and other equipment will be issued, free of charge, to students enrolled in Army ROTC courses.

Information and Equipment

The Professor of Military Science and the Army ROTC offices are located on the bottom floor of Treadway Hall at St. Mary’s University. The telephone number is 210-436-3415 or email the ROTC office at ROTC@stmarytx.edu.