Bison Battalion Army Reserve Officer Training Corps

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) or Military Science education is a four-year program designed to prepare college students for Army service as commissioned officers in the active Army, or part-time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. The program is available to qualified Bucknell University, Bloomsburg University, Susquehanna University, Penn College of Technology, and Lycoming College students.

Scholarship first year students and non-scholarship first and second year students may enroll on a trial basis with no commitment to the military. Students may leave the program or continue with advanced courses to earn a commission as an officer upon graduation.

Although the program is designed to start with new first-year students each fall, it is possible to enter the program as late fall of the junior year. Students with prior military service or those who complete a 28-day summer training camp may bypass the freshmen and sophomore level training.

Various types and lengths of scholarships are available. Some of which guarantee duty in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Scholarship cadets receive: FULL tuition, a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month, and a book allowance of up to $1200 a year. Bucknell University pays room and board for their scholarship cadets.

Non-scholarship cadets receive a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month.

Non-scholarship and some types of scholarship cadets may also become part of Army Reserve or Army National Guard units while in ROTC to receive additional benefits.

Program requirements include a 33-day summer training course between the junior and senior years. Opportunities exist for other specialized summer training such as Airborne school, Air Assault School, Internships with Active Duty Army units, or Internships with Federal government agencies.

Time Commitment

The time commitment for first and second year cadets during the school year is approximately five hours a week. For third and fourth year students the time commitment is approximately ten hours a week. Time is spent on weekly classes, physical training, monthly leadership labs, and a semester field training exercise.

For more information, contact the Bucknell ROTC program at 570-577-1246/1013/1007, email ArmyROTC@bucknell.edu, or visit the Bison Battalion website