frequently asked questions
Q: If I enroll in Army ROTC,
won't I have a service obligation?
A: No. You can enroll in ROTC classes for up to two years with no service
obligation. Depending on your major Army ROTC courses may count as elective
credits towards your degree. As a Walton College of Business student up
to 19 hours may count. As a Fulbright College of Arts and Science student
up to 16 hours may count. For College of Engineering, Bumpers College
of Agricultural and Life Science, and College of Education and Health
Professions students the amount of ROTC hours that count depend on the
type of degree you are earning. All prior service students who provide
the UAF Registrar's Office with a copy of their DD form 214 will receive
six hours of general elective credits. All ROTC course credits will appear
on your official transcript. Additional information on Army ROTC can be
found in the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Course Catalog. Please
consult the on line Integrated Student information System (ISIS) for class
and LAB times.
Q: If I do eventually contract
and become a Second Lieutenant, I will have to serve on Active Duty, right?
A: No. At least two-thirds of the upcoming graduating cadets will receive
an active duty tour. Cadets who receive Reserve Duty will serve in local
Reserve or National Guard units one weekend a month, or serve in the Ready
Reserves with no "drilling" requirement if a suitable unit is
not available where you reside. The Reserves are one of the best adjunct
career and retirement systems in the U.S. today.
Q: Won't ROTC interfere with
my academic or athletic pursuits?
A: No. Our current cadet corps has an average cumulative GPA above the
general university average. Yes, there are some time demands and some
voluntary extracurricular activities in ROTC. But, simply put, ROTC cadets
are more mature and better time managers than many students. Your academic
and athletic success is the highest priority and we stress that. You must
do well academically and athletically to succeed in ROTC. Should you have
scheduling conflicts, we have a flexible class schedule that will allow
you to take ROTC Classes and LABs without
interfering with your required academic (major) classes. Additional information
on Army ROTC can be found in the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Course
Catalog. Please consult the on line Integrated Student information System
(ISIS) for class and LAB times.
Q: I see ROTC as a potential
interference to my career field. How can you get around that one?
A: Well, there are surely some career tracks where ROTC may not help you,
but the exceptional record of graduating cadets getting good jobs in their
fields is well above average. In the Reserves, there are also a lot of
job networking and contacts, and most employees view Reservists or officers
leaving active duty in very positive terms. Further, students that emphasize
their ROTC enrollment are generally viewed as desirable to most employers
because of their competitive leadership and managerial abilities, maturity,
and time management skills.
Q: What
about haircuts, wearing uniforms, and harassment?
A: Well, you have to be well-groomed; hair off your ears and not down
your shoulders (crewcut not required). You
will learn how to wear a uniform properly, but the uniform is only required
to be worn during class times and training. Finally, harassment of any
type went out years ago; it is not acceptable. We emphasize proper decorum,
respect, military courtesies, ethics and standards of conduct; all of
which apply equally well to non-military, professional careers.
Q: What can Army ROTC do for
me even if I only want to enroll for a year or two?
A: If you enroll in Army ROTC, we will help you become a better person
in manifold ways - no doubt about that. ROTC
will:
o
Give you better leadership, ethics, personal confidence, and managerial
skills applicable to any field.
o
Provide you a lot of personal attention, encouraging you to get
good grades and further mature. Class sizes are small and everyone is
given personal counseling.
o
We compel you to stay in shape and improve your physical fitness.
Yes, there are some progressive physical fitness requirements and you
cannot be overweight and complete the program.
o
We give you the opportunity to learn what the military is all about
these days - the role of the Army and its soldiers, (strategy, politics,
technology, standards, career fields, etc.)
o
We provide additional fun and learning activities, and opportunities
for you to make more friends than virtually any other organization on
campus. Cadets consistently relate that one of the best aspects of the
ROTC program is the camaraderie students find among each other -that is
what Esprit de Corps or belonging is all about.
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