Commissioning is the United States Army component of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is the largest branch of the ROTC program, with 20,000 ROTC cadets in 272 ROTC programs at major universities throughout the United States.
The modern Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps was created by the National Defense Act of 1916. This program commissioned its first class of lieutenants in 1920. The concept behind ROTC, however, had its roots in military training which began taking place in civilian colleges and universities as early as 1819 with the founding of the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy at Norwich, Vermont, followed by various state chartered military schools, and finally civilian land grant colleges after the Civil War, which required military training.
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. If a cadet has accepted a scholarship, service commitments may vary. 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
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. 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. When the cadet graduates, he or she will be commissioned in that branch. If the program is general military science, 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.
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. 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. 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.
External Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Reserve_Officers%27_Training_Corps
Commissioning Ceremony
Caption: The cadet will train during ROTC specifically for that branch. When the cadet graduates, he or she will be commissioned in that branch. If the program is general military science, 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.
ROTC commissioning ceremony at a university
Caption: 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.
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