UA News

The UA ROTC program is now offering a formal military science leadership minor while Residence Life has approved a wing for ROTC students during the fall semester.

Reserve Officers' Training Corps students will have a chance to take advantage of two new additions this fall that are meant to improve their academic experience at the University of Arizona. 

Just approved is the military science leadership minor, which will be administered out of the agricultural education department, which is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, or CALS.

"With agricultural education giving the program a home, it's a good fit," said Elaine Marchello, assistant dean for academic programs and the undergraduate program coordinator for CALS. 

Additionally, Residence Life is introducing a new ROTC Wing at Cochise Residence Hall, which is adjacent to the programs' headquarters, during the fall semester.

Cadets will apply to live in the wing, which is fashioned after other living-learning communities on campus. Such communities are meant to allow for more connectivity among students in the three ROTC programs that, together, represent the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

"This will be really great for them," said Col. Terry M. Featherston, commander and a professor of aerospace studies for the Air Force ROTC Detachment 20. "It will be a place for them to get to know one another and to support each other." 

For the new minor, the aim was to formally recognize required leadership coursework ROTC cadets must take, allowing them to earn UA credit.

"The academic rigor of the ROTC program is really intense so, by recognizing the program, they'll have a better chance at graduating in four years," said Marchello, also a veterinary science and microbiology lecturer.

Jim Knight, an agricultural education professor who helped coordinate the new minor, said the problem was of particular concern for some cadets who, in addition to their military training, were required to declare a minor program of study to graduate from the University. 

For the minor, students generally take 18 to 20 units, completing coursework that includes the history of the U.S. military, the role of the U.S. as part of a global community, military-related skills and training on ways to effectively serve as leaders. 

Those who intend to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force typically must take two courses each year for a total of 20 units. 

"In a lot of cases, our students were taking an extra year to graduate," Featherston said.

While most juniors and seniors likely will not be able to take advantage of the new minor, having already taken most of their requirements, he said the recognition will be of great help to newer students.

Knight said that given the number of students involved in ROTC programs, the additions will be beneficial.

"It's a program that makes possible for those students to go to college while preparing for their service in the military," Knight said.

"As much as anything," he said, "we wanted to give the students who are participating an academic record that shows they have taken this coursework."