Reserve Officers' Training Corps

ROTC

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), is offered by Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is available to all Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) students. In order to receive a commission as an Army Officer, QCC students will need to continue their education at any bachelor's degree producing ROTC program.  American citizens who are physically qualified and who satisfactorily complete the entire four-year program will be commissioned in the United States Army. Graduates serve as second lieutenants in the Active Army or the reserve components (National Guard and Army Reserve). Delayed entry on active service for the purpose of graduate school is available. Military science is designed to complement other instruction offered by Worcester State. Emphasis throughout is on the development of individual leadership abilities and preparation of the student for future important leadership roles in the Army. There are two variations of ROTC available to the student who desires to participate: a four-year program, in which students participate in required military science courses and activities for four academic years. Attendance at a six-week advanced training camp is required between the third and fourth year.

The two-year ROTC program is intended for students in their second year of college who want to enroll in ROTC in their junior year. If you are about to transition from QCC to a four year institution in order to complete you bachelor's degree, this option may be for you.  It begins with a six-week basic summer training camp, with pay, between the sophomore and junior years. Upon successful completion of basic camp, the student participates in the third year of ROTC and attends the advanced camp during the next summer. As an alternative, an enlisted member of the Army National Guard or Army Reserve who has completed basic training can qualify for the two-year ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).

All students enrolled in the last two years of the program receive a tax-free cash stipend of $420 each month in school. Two- and three-year Army ROTC scholarships are available for students who wish to apply. The scholarship is based on the achievements of the applicants, not the financial status of their families. The ROTC scholarship covers tuition and most required fees, paid directly to the college.  Members of Army Reserve and National Guard may participate in the ROTC/Simultaneous Membership Program, receiving a reserve officer commission upon successful completion of the military science requirements. SMP cadets remain members of their unit and earn E-5 drill pay in addition to the tax-free stipend of $420 per month through ROTC. Additionally, Massachusetts National Guard ROTC/SMP members receive free tuition at state schools.

Students interested in Army ROTC should contact the Professor of Military Science, Military Science Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 82 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, or call 508.831.5268. Offices are located on the first floor of Daniels Hall.

AFROTC

The Department of Air Force Aerospace Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers education and training to become commissioned officers in the United States Air Force or Space Force through its Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (AFROTC) program to all qualified Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) students. This program is designed to be completed in four years but can be accomplished in three. The first two years are known as the General Military Course (GMC). There is no military obligation for the first two years of Air Force ROTC unless a student has an Air Force ROTC scholarship. GMC classes are one hour in duration and as a freshman are taken in conjunction with Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). LLAB is a student run education event that takes place with all cadets present once a week and is two hours in duration.  Students who successfully complete the GMC compete nationwide for entry into the Professional Officers Course (POC).  POC classes are three hours a week and are required for juniors and seniors. Officer candidates in the POC (and on scholarship) receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month. In addition, qualified officer candidates attend the Air Force ROTC field training program between their sophomore and junior years. Field training is a two week curriculum in a bootcamp styled environment where the skills learned in the first two years of AFROTC are evaluated.

Interested students can complete the first two years of their education at QCC and finish a four-year degree to continue in the AFROTC program by transferring into one of the Detachment 340 four-year degree granting universities.

For further details, qualifications, and information on scholarship opportunities, please contact AFROTC Detachment 340, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 37 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, Phone: 508.831.5747, Email: afrotc [at] wpi.edu, visit the website for more info.