Penn State Army ROTC
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
. It is the largest branch of the ROTC program at the school, which also has Naval ROTC and Air Force ROTC.
The Penn State ROTC Battalion is one of the 41 participating battalions in The 2nd Reserve Officers' Training Corps Brigade
2nd Reserve Officers' Training Corps Brigade
The 2nd Reserve Officers' Training Corps Brigade is an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps brigade based at Fort Dix, New Jersey.- New York :* Canisius College* Clarkson University* Cornell University* Fordham University* Hofstra University...
, also known as the Liberty Brigade. The brigade is headquartered at Fort Dix, NJ, and comprises ROTC programs in the North Eastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
including CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Penn State Army ROTC
Penn State's role in national defense dates from 1863, when it was designated a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act. Congress included military training as part of the mission of land-grant colleges. The Civil War was then raging, and the concept of broad-based military preparedness was very important to lawmakers. In 1917, to address World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
's need for trained military leaders, the University established a component of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). The ROTC provided military instruction in addition to standard academic studies and awarded reserve officers' commissions to students upon graduation. During World War I, in a gesture that would become a hallmark of Penn State's commitment to the military, the University volunteered the use of the University Park campus grounds and buildings to the War Department and the Pennsylvania National Guard for training purposes. In addition, the University provided technological training to students headed off to war, as well as national defense research through its schools of engineering and agriculture. Penn State's involvement in defense-related activities expanded during World War II to include additional personnel-training programs, as well as government-funded research projects. Penn State furnished defense-related training to more than 140,000 at 200 communities across the state, and provided instruction to thousands more at the University Park campus.
Currently, 19 of Penn State's 24 locations offer at least one ROTC program either as a host unit or in partnership with another Pennsylvania college or university. Penn State's Tri-Service ROTC is consistently in the top of the Big Ten in ROTC enrollment. All three programs are top-ranked nationally and have received high marks during external inspections and audits compared with their counterparts across the country.
In the fall of 2010 a team of 10 students from the Penn State Army ROTC came out on top of squads from 43 other northeastern schools in the regional Ranger Challenge Competition held on Oct. 24, near West Point, N.Y. The Penn State's victory propels them to the historic Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, which has been held annually since 1967, where they will compete with squads from across the nation and around the world. This year’s competition will be held on April 16, 2011, at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Penn State has been the largest ROTC program in the Big Ten Conference. Females comprise 14 percent of Penn State ROTC students, which is close to each service's norms; however, ethnicity percentages are lower than each service's norms. Penn State's Army ROTC enrollment comprises 16 percent of all Pennsylvania schools' Army ROTC enrollment. Army ROTC cadets most favor the crime, law and justice major, followed by engineering. About one-fourth of all Penn State ROTC students are on the dean's list. All ROTC students must meet and maintain academic, aptitude, medical, and physical requirements. Beginning in the Fall semester of 2008, a special living option in Brumbaugh Hall in East Halls has been offered to freshman ROTC students, which has proven popular, as male student spaces are at capacity. One-fourth of Army students have chosen to live in this residence hall.
Army ROTC Progression
For a cadet who takes only the first two years of ROTC (Basic Course), there is no military obligation, unless the student is a 3-4 year scholarship cadet or has other specific scholarships. With some exceptions, in order to progress to the last two years of the program (Advanced Course), the cadet must contract with the United States Army. To do so, the student enlists in the United States Army Reserve Control Group (ROTC) as a cadet and elects to serve on either Active Duty or in a reserve component (Army National GuardArmy National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
or Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
).
Course of Instruction
There are two ROTC courses of instruction administered: branch material and general military science. The far majority of ROTC programs today are general military science (many having previously been branch material). If a program is branch material, the course of instruction is designed to prepare the cadet for appointment as a commissioned officer in a specific branch of the Army. A branch material unit may offer training in one or more specific branches. The cadet will train during ROTC specifically for that branch (e.g., aviation, engineering, nursing). When the cadet graduates, he or she will be commissioned in that branch. If the program is general military science (GMS), then the ROTC program will prepare the cadet for appointment as a commissioned officer in any branch of the Army for which he or she is qualified, as determined by the Army through a selection process. The following is an outline of a general military science program.http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=cdd4ebd64b8858577b5c6cbfc7e8d913&rgn=div5&view=text&node=32:3.1.1.5.20&idno=32Basic Course
This year serves as the cadets’ first introduction to the Army. Topics covered include military courtesy, military history, basic first aid, basic rifle marksmanship, basic hand grenade use, land navigation, rappelling, fundamentals of leadership, map orienteering, field training, and drill and ceremony.
Military Science II Year (MSII)
The second year is an expansion of the topics taught in the first year of the program. Cadets are introduced to tactics, troop leading procedures, basics of operations orders, and ethics.
Leadership Training Course (LTC)
LTC is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course.
Advanced Course
Military Science III Year (MSIII)The third year marks the beginning of the Advanced Course. This is where most cadets must contract with the Army to continue in the program. Cadets may be eligible for the Advanced Course if the following criteria are met:
- The cadet has prior military service OR
- The cadet took three or more years of JROTC in high school OR
- The cadet has completed the first two years of the program (Basic Course) OR
- The cadet has graduated the Leaders Training Course (formerly Basic Camp) at Ft. Knox AND
- The cadet has completed 54 credits (at least 60 preferred) of college coursework.
The course sequence in this year is mainly focused on the application of leadership and small-unit tactics. Cadets are assigned rotating leadership positions within the School Battalion and are evaluated on their performance and leadership abilities while in those positions. Third-year cadets practice briefing operations orders, executing small-unit tactics, leading and participating in physical training, and preparing for successful performance at the four week Leader Development and Assessment Course during the summer following the third year. Under current regulations, unless the cadet is in the Nursing program, attendance at the course is mandatory (in the past, Ranger School
Ranger School
The United States Army Ranger School is an intense 61-day combat leadership course oriented towards small-unit tactics. It has been called the "toughest combat course in the world" and "is the most physically and mentally demanding leadership school the Army has to offer". The course is conducted...
was offered as an alternative to select cadets).
Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)
The Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)
Leader Development and Assessment Course
The Leadership Development and Assessment Course is the centerpiece of the US Army's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. Over the last 40 years the Army has called it "Advanced Camp", "Camp Adventure", and it is currently known as "Warrior Forge". Within ROTC, it is often referred to simply...
(formerly Advanced Camp) is a paid four-week leadership course conducted at Fort Lewis, Washington, during the summer. Typically, cadets attend LDAC during the summer between their first and second years in the Advanced Course. At LDAC, cadets take on various leadership roles and are evaluated on their performance and leadership abilities in those positions. Cadets also participate in adventure training, to include: confidence and obstacle courses, rappelling, water safety, weapons firing, and patrolling. Cadets must attend and complete this course to earn an Army commission.
Military Science IV Year (MSIV)
This is the final year of the ROTC program and the main focus is towards preparing cadets to become successful lieutenants in the Army upon graduation and commissioning. Senior cadets apply for their branches (career fields). Senior cadets apply before end of their third year but have until mid September to make any changes before they are locked in. In early September, cadets are notified of which service and status they were granted (e.g., Regular Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard; as well as whether they will be active duty or not). The next thing they will be notified is the branch of choice in mid October. Last but not least, cadets will be given their requested first duty location from late March through early April. In the mean time, senior cadets are assigned cadet battalion staff positions and are responsible for evaluating MS III cadets, planning and coordinating training operations and missions. MSIV's main goal is to teach and train MSIII cadets as well as be a mentor and establish sustainable systems to meet all requirements and provide quality training designed to develop and prepare the best leaders for United States Army.
Organization
Penn State is a Cadet run battalion, which means the cadre supervise but the senior cadets organize, develop, and execute training. The Nittany Lion Battalion has four companies: Alpha/Bravo (University Park Campus), Charlie (Hazelton Campus), and Delta (Altoona Campus).Battalion Command Team (All Senior Cadets)
Led by a Battalion Commander with his Battalion XO and Command Sergeant Major. Also consists of all S-Shops (1-6), each with a team of 2-4 cadets. The Battalion Staff has headquarters located at Penn State University Park (Main Campus).
Alpha Company
Each platoon has senior Platoon Leaders, Platoon Sergeants, and Squad Leaders.
1st Platoon
2nd Platoon
Bravo Company
3rd Platoon
4th Platoon
Charlie Company
1st Platoon led by a Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant (both sophomores)
Delta Company
Company Commander (usually a senior cadet)
1st Platoon led by a Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant (both sophomores)
2nd Platoon led by a Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant (both sophomores)
Notable Army ROTC graduates
- LTG Vaughn Olin Lang
- LTG William PagonisWilliam PagonisLieutenant General William Gus Pagonis was the director of Logistics during the Gulf War of 1991 and is widely recognized for his logistical achievements particularly during Desert Storm...
- LTG John J. YeosockJohn J. YeosockLieutenant General John J. Yeosock is a United States Army general who commanded the 3rd U.S. Army during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm....
- MG Randy E. Manner
- MG John H. Stafford
- BG Michael J. Pepe
- COL David E. PergrinDavid E. PergrinColonel David E. Pergrin was commanding officer of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion during World War II. Before the war he earned an engineering degree at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1940. While at Penn State he participated in the ROTC program...
- Honorable Samuel E. Hayes, Jr.
- Eddie N. Moore
Penn State Graduates (Non-ROTC)
- GEN William E. WardWilliam E. WardWilliam E. "Kip" Ward , is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as Commander, U.S. Africa Command from October 1, 2007 to March 8, 2011. He was the first officer to hold this position. General Ward previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command. General Ward...
- BG Darrell K. Williams
Army ROTC Awards
The CPT Brian Faunce Memorial Fund presented its fifth annual award at Penn State University on May 1, 2008. This award is given to the Penn State Army ROTC student who best demonstrates the spirit, leadership and courage of CPT Faunce. CPT Brian R. Faunce was a 1996 graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and entered Active Duty on 10 AUG 1996. He died of combat wounds sustained in Iraq in September 2003. The $1,500 award helps the recipient begin their military career with a gift card to AAFES (for the purchase of uniforms, boots, and other required gear). It is our hope that these contributions will continue to inspire others to achieve excellence in their pursuit of a military career.There are three Department of the Army decorations authorized exclusively to cadets:
- ROTC Medal for HeroismROTC Medal for HeroismThe ROTC Medal for Heroism is the highest Department of the Army medal awarded exclusively to Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. This award is presented to cadets who perform acts of heroism. As with other Department of the Army decorations, the award consists of a medal and ribbon,...
- Superior Cadet Decoration AwardSuperior Cadet Decoration AwardThe Superior Cadet Decoration Award is the second highest Department of the Army medal awarded exclusively to Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. This award is presented annually to the outstanding cadet in each year of Military Science at each of the respective ROTC units...
- Ranger Challenge TabRanger Challenge TabThe Ranger Challenge Tab is the only Department of the Army individual qualification tab awarded exclusively to Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets, and approved by the Institute of Heraldry...
Outside these, cadets are eligible for numerous U.S. Army awards and decorations
Awards and decorations of the United States Army
Awards and decorations of the United States Army are those military decorations which are issued to members of the United States Army under the authority of the Secretary of the Army. Together with military badges such awards provide an outward display of a service member's accomplishments.The...
, as well as awards and decorations sponsored by various military societies and organizations. These include:http://www.rotc.wustl.edu/Cadet/Awards.htm
- Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement
- National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) Award
- Same Award (Society of American Military EngineersSociety of American Military EngineersThe Society of American Military Engineers is an organization for military engineering professionals. According to its , SAME was formed “in the interest of National Defense… bringing together all phases of U.S...
) - National Defense Industrial AssociationNational Defense Industrial AssociationThe National Defense Industrial Association is an association for the United States government and the defense industry. Based in Arlington, Virginia, NDIA was established in 1919 as a result of the inability of the defense industry to scale up the war effort during World War I...
(NDIA) (Formerly the American Defense Preparedness Association - ADPA Gold Scholarship Key Award) - Association of the United States ArmyAssociation of the United States ArmyThe Association of the United States Army is a private, non-profit organization that acts primarily as an advocacy group for the United States Army. Founded in 1950, it has 125 chapters worldwide. Membership is open to everyone, not just Army personnel, nor is membership mandatory for soldiers,...
(AUSA) Award - American LegionAmerican LegionThe American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
Awards (General Military Excellence and Scholastic Excellence) - Sons of the American RevolutionSons of the American RevolutionThe National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
(SAR) Award - The Retired Officers' Association (TROA) Medal
- Society of the War of 1812 Award
- George C. Marshall ROTC Award
- Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership Medal Award
- United States Field Artillery Association Award
- Army Aviation Association of America Award
- AFCEA Award For Distinguished Performance
- General and Mrs. Matthew B. Ridgway Military History Research Fellowship
- Military Order of World Wars Awards
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- American Veterans Outstanding Cadet Award
- Reserve Officers Association Awards
- USAA Spirit Award
- Veterans of Foreign WarsVeterans of Foreign WarsThe Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
Award - National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Award
- National Sojourners Award
- Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award
- Military Officers Association of America Award
- Special Forces Association Award
- American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam Award
- Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Education Foundation Award