ROTC members in the fieldThe Army’s Reserve Officers Training Course, or ROTC, is the largest officer-producing organization within the American military, having commissioned more than half a million second lieutenants since its inception.  The ROTC program exists to recruit and train quality officers into the Regular Army, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard while allowing these student-leaders to still enjoy their college experience.

Today, Army ROTC has a total of 273 programs located at colleges and universities throughout the county. It produces more than half of the officers who join the Active and Reserve components of the Army. The training is structured to develop and utilize the strengths of ROTC cadets where they are both most effective and most satisfied. This promotes career satisfaction and increases the effectiveness of our Army. Cadet Command, which oversees and standardizes ROTC programs, accomplishes this by combining the character building aspects of a diverse, self-disciplined civilian education with tough, centralized leader development training. This process forges well-rounded officers who manifest the strength and diversity of the society from which they come from as well as the quality of strong officer leadership.

What We Do

Training with Army ROTC is a new experience every week. Training covers a wide range of skills that are needed to be an Officer in the Army. Below are the highlights of the various exercises we work on throughout the program.

  • Situational Training Exercises – These exercises allow us to learn and practice the different types of offensive operations and tactics used on the battlefield.
  • Rappelling – Through rappelling, we learn the proper use of knots and build confidence in our abilities to rappel.
  • Land Navigation – During land navigation exercises, we learn the ins and outs of map reading, as well as how to navigate from point to point with just a map and compass.
  • Combat Water Survival Test – This exercise allows us to test our abilities in the water during stressful situations.
  • Physical Fitness – We work on our physical fitness several days a week to ensure our bodies are in top shape to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.
  • Formal Events – Military Balls or Dining In events bring everyone in the battalion together to have develop an appreciation for military customs and courtesies as well as have fun and build relationships outside of training.

About MSU Billings

The Commissioning CeremonyArmy ROTC returned to MSU Billings during the Spring Semester of 2009 after a 15-year absence. Our program is a detachment of the Bobcat Battalion of Montana State University in Bozeman. We also incorporate cadets from Rocky Mountain College into our program as well. Since its return, the program has commissioned six new Lieutenants, two in 2011 and four more over the 2011-2012 school year. ROTC works with all 4-year college majors and degrees. The program simply requires enrolling in a few extra credits each semester, including classroom instruction, weekly training labs, and physical exercise training.

New Lieutenants Brodie Moberly, Chris Lindgren, and Travis Light at their Commissioning Ceremony, marking the completion of their ROTC training.