Army ROTC

The Golden Griffin Battalion Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) develops leadership skills that last a lifetime. Whether your goal is to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Army, or simply gain valuable, hands-on leadership training that will set you apart from the rest in the civilian job market.

You do not have to join the Army to take ROTC courses.  Because the program is an elective, you can major in any program and take basic courses at the same time without making a military commitment.  Many of our students make the military commitment and find rewarding careers serving their country in various capacities all around the world.

Learn More at GoArmy.com

What is Army ROTC?

Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college courses. It gives you the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can help pay for your college tuition.  Because ROTC is an elective, you can participate during your freshmen and sophomore years without any obligation to join the Army. You do not have to join the Army to take ROTC courses. However, many of our students make the military commitment and find rewarding careers serving their country in various capacities all around the world.

Why Study ROTC at Canisius University?

  • The Canisius University Golden Griffin Battalion is one of the top-ranked ROTC programs in the country. Additionally, the program was ranked as one of the top performers in Army Cadet Command’s 273 national units. 
  • The U.S. Army Cadet Command and the General McArthur Foundation unit ranked the unit 1st in the eastern United States for medium-sized detachments.
  • Upon graduation of the full program, you are commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and make more than $30,000 the first year.  You can also serve in the Army, Army Reserves, and the National Guard. 
  • Canisius ROTC graduates are stationed all over the world and work in areas such as military intelligence, nursing and medical service, signal corps, infantry branches, field artillery, and many others. 
  • Our students are scholars who keep their grades up, athletes who are physically strong and leaders who have a great desire to learn. 

The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is a four year college curriculum that augments the college experience. The mission of The United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) is to select, educate, train and commission college students to be officers and leaders of character in the Total Army.

Becoming an Officer through ROTC 

canisius ROTC

Army ROTC students who receive a scholarship or enter the Army ROTC Advanced Course (Junior and Senior Year) must agree to complete an eight year period of service with the Army.

Most cadets choose to make the Army their full-time job by serving in the Active Army. This normally incurs an Active Duty Service Obligation of three years (four years for scholarship winners). The remainder of their eight-year commitment can be served in the Army Reserves, Army National Guard or as a non-drilling Reservist (Individual Ready Reserve)Cadets may also choose to serve their eight year commitment completely part-time in the Army Reserves or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career.

Whether Active Guard  or Reserve, being an Army Officer gives you responsibilities and experience that you can't get anywhere else! 

How To Join

Joining our program is literally like signing up for a class. When you sign up for ROTC, you will register for a Military Science Class and Lab. You can be issued uniforms and equipment. You will then take part in the training and class work that encompasses the ROTC program and will be able to explore the world of the military to see if it’s right for you!  Joining ROTC does not mean you are enlisting in the Army and does not require attendance at Basic Training.

Click through the applicable categories to see more information on the program that fits your situation. Still have questions? Our enrollment team is ready and able to answer your questions and meet with parents for a one-on-one information session. Give us a call or shoot us an email today to get started!

  • Email: @email
  • Phone Number: 716-888-3239
Current High School Students (Juniors/Seniors)

If you are a current High School Student, you can start your ROTC journey by applying for an Army ROTC Scholarship!

If you have good grades, solid test scores and have worked hard outside the classroom on extra-curricular activities, we encourage you to apply for an Army ROTC Scholarship.

 

Incoming College Students (Seniors)

 

Even if you did not get a chance to apply for a scholarship in high school, you can still sign up for Army ROTC by registering for the Military Science 101 Class and the Military Science Lab. In order to register, you will need a permission number, which you can receive by contacting our office at either Duke or NCCU during normal business hours.

Do you measure up?
 

  • Bare minimum qualifications:
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident or in process of pursuing US Citizenship 
  • Full-time enrolled at Canisius University, University at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo State University, Daemen University, Hilbert University, D’Youville University, ECC. 
  • Must be willing and able to conduct physical exercise

Expect to be asked questions about your grades, physical fitness level, medical history, criminal record, dependent children and tattoos.

 

Current College Students 

 

If you are a current freshman or sophomore, or if you have at least two full years of graduate work left, it is not too late to sign up for Army ROTC! Even if you missed the add-drop window to register for a military science class, you can still sign up for the program through our department and start taking part in training events. To start taking part in our events today, please contact our office during normal business hours.

Additional Training

In order to make up for some of the material you may have missed during the first year or two of ROTC, you will likely attend Cadet Command’s Leader Training Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky: a 30-day Army summer camp where you will learn the basics of military discipline and military leadership. Other cadets with credits to spare, opt to take multiple Military Science Classes at once in order to catch up.

Each prospective cadet is different and our expert cadre will assist each student in determining the best training pathway for them. To get started as a current student, please contact our office.
 

 

For the Currently Enlisted

 

Visitors and interested persons from the student body are always welcome to observe a class or training exercise or even join us for a morning workout. Ever thought about the Army or the military, but just not sure it’s for you? Perhaps you’re unsure about making a commitment now but are still curious? If so, this is a great way to see if our program might be a good fit for you.

Even if you sign up for ROTC and decide it’s not for you after the first two years, you will not incur any obligation to the Army. Bottom line is you have nothing to lose (and a whole lot to gain) by giving it a try!