ROTC Classes to Begin Next Fall at SUNY Plattsburgh

After considering similar resolutions from both the Student and Faculty senates at SUNY Plattsburgh last fall, President John Ettling gave approval for the development of a partnership agreement between SUNY Plattsburgh and the Army ROTC program at the University of Vermont. 

In fall 2007, two courses will be offered through the UVM Army ROTC partnership program at SUNY Plattsburgh. A one-credit first-year military science course, "Introduction to ROTC and the U.S. Army," will be offered to incoming freshmen. The other is a third-year course, "Leadership and Training for Small Organizations," offered to students who are either veterans of prior military service, members of the Reserves or National Guard currently attending college, students who will be juniors in fall 2007 and will attend Cadet Basic Camp this summer, or current ROTC students transferring to SUNY Plattsburgh from another program.

"The plan is to have an office on campus staffed by a secretary and a full-time instructor assigned permanently to Plattsburgh from the UVM host program," said Dr. David Hill, dean of education, health and human services. "We're currently looking for a location for the office that will be readily accessible and visible to students."

One of the benefits that ROTC provides to students is financial assistance in the form of tuition, room and board, monthly stipends and funding for books and college fees. Each year, hundreds of students attending colleges nationwide receive ROTC scholarships. They're awarded to students studying in a variety of majors.

The idea of establishing an ROTC affiliation program at SUNY Plattsburgh was initiated by a group of retired officers in Plattsburgh who approached the College in February 2006. There are currently 26 SUNY campuses across New York that have full or affiliated ROTC programs. The UVM Army ROTC program has affiliations with Saint Michael's College, Middlebury College, Champlain College, Castleton State College and Johnson State College.

ROTC is a college elective that teaches the fundamentals of leadership, confidence, problem solving, decision making and small group organization. The primary purpose of ROTC is to prepare college students to become officers in the active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserves upon graduation.

The four-year program includes the basic course, military studies I and II, which is taken during the first two years of college. The advanced course, military studies III and IV, is taken during the third and fourth years and includes a five-week training session at Ft. Lewis in Washington State. These courses are designed around normal class times to accommodate academic schedules.

For more information on the SUNY Plattsburgh ROTC program, contact Dr. Hill at 518-564-3066 or Lt. Col. Sephen Koebrich at UVM at 802-656-2966/5757.
      
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