Reserve Officer Training Programs

Rhodes, in cooperation with the University of Memphis and the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, participates in crosstown agreements that provide the opportunity for Rhodes students to enroll in Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC), Military Science (Army ROTC), and Naval Science (Navy ROTC) at The University of Memphis. Upon successful completion of the reserve officer training programs and the undergraduate degree at Rhodes, a student receives a commission as a second lieutenant in the appropriate military service.

The curriculum for the ROTC program is reviewed by the Faculty of Rhodes and the appropriate credits are assigned. The student who participates in the ROTC programs will have to complete all requirements as specified by the military service departments, including summer training camps, if the commission as an officer is to be granted.

A Rhodes student may earn a maximum of sixteen credits in the ROTC programs and apply fourteen of these credits to the 128 credits needed for a Rhodes degree.  Credit earned in ROTC is counted as elective credit, and it is listed on the student’s transcript as ROTC credit with the appropriate course titles. To be eligible to participate in the Consortium, students must enroll in at least twelve (12) hours per semester at Rhodes to be considered full time. Credits enrolled in during a given semester are included in the count of credits for a normal course load. (The credit shown below applies to the 16-credit provision.) Although a student takes the ROTC courses at The University of Memphis, that student is a full-time student at Rhodes, and any financial assistance provided by the military services is based on tuition and fees at Rhodes.

Aerospace Studies

The Aerospace Studies program is in two parts. The first-year/sophomore-level program, the General Military Course, is open to all students. The junior/senior level program, the Professional Officer Course, is available only to selected, eligible students who desire to earn commissions as officers in the United States Air Force while pursuing their academic studies at Rhodes. Participants in the POC program and those in the GMC on AFROTC scholarships receive a monthly subsistence allowance from the Air Force. Graduate students who qualify are also eligible for POC enrollment.

Air Force ROTC scholarships which pay all or a portion of certain college costs (tuition, book allowance, and certain fees) are available on a competitive basis, to entering first-year students and to cadets participating in the AFROTC program. Details are available from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or from the Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Memphis. Students wishing to participate should contact the Unit Admissions Officer, AFROTC Detachment 785, Department of Aerospace Studies, University of Memphis, at 678-2681. Students may also access AFROTC Detachment 785’s website at www.afrotc.memphis.edu and/or the AFROTC website at www.afrotc.com.

Military Science

The Military Science program provides a four year course of military instruction designed to provide qualified students with the attributes and competencies in the art of US Army leadership,  The program is divided into two sections each consisting of a two year duration.  The first, called the Basic Course, offers an introduction to the US Army, basic soldier skills, roles and responsibilities, offership, and military doctrine.  The second, called the Advanced Course, expands upon the basic course and offers leadership experience, advanced military doctrine, and prepares the student for commissioning as a US Army Officer.  Students may apply for the four year program, Basic Course, or Advanced Course.

Department faculty and staff are active duty Army personnel detailed by the Department of the Army and approved by the University of Memphis President.  The Army officers are appointed by the University of Memphis as Professor or Assistant Professor of Military Science.  Students interested in enrolling in any Military Science course should contact the Department of Military Science Recruiting Operations Officer at (901)678-2934.