Military Science

Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)

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Degree Types

Specialization

Institution

Complementary Programs

Design Your Own Major

Heart

Distinctive Requirements

Leadership Labs

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Benefits

Army ROTC Scholarship

What is ROTC?

It's How Students Become Leaders

Army ROTC provides you with the tools, training, and experiences you need to become an officer in the U.S. Army. In Army ROTC, you will learn to become a leader — not just a person who gives orders. You will lead by example. Being an officer in the U.S. Army means you're a counselor, a strategist, and a motivator. It's similar to being a vital manager in a corporation. As an officer, you will lead other soldiers in all situations and adjust to environments that are always changing. You will be driven to achieve success with your team on every mission.

Benefits

Get help with your college tuition with an Army ROTC scholarship
Gain experience you can't find anywhere else
Gain the respect of your peers and future employers

Majors, Minors & Specializations

The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program has been a part of McDaniel College since 1919 and is one of the oldest programs in the nation. Students can be guaranteed service as an officer with the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or serve full time with the Active Army. Officers serve in a variety of fields, including aviation, medical, personnel, armor, artillery, infantry, intelligence, cyber, communications, law enforcement, and engineering.

ROTC student in uniform sitting in outdoor chair on campus.

Design your own major

No major is offered in this field, however, Military Science can be an integral part of a student-designed major or minor and/or an elective for any major. The courses are designed to develop the leadership ability of each student.

Leadership Labs

ROTC Cadet training involves classroom instructions on leadership techniques, time management, ethics, critical thinking skills, and military operations. Cadets are provided the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding in a field setting during weekly practical exercise called a Lab. This provides the opportunity for ht cadets to challenge themselves and learn in a safe environment. Labs range from topics covering Drill and Ceremony and Team Building, to Land Navigation and Squad Tactics. All Labs are designed to develop the knowledge and leadership abilities of the cadets; Labs are run by the Military Science (MS) III class.

Distinctive Courses

Program Requirements

Military Science Department National Security Fellows Program

Keep in Touch

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See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you.

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Contact Us

Department Chair:

LTC Jason D. Johnson

Email LTC Johnson

Department Faculty

Learn more about the faculty and staff behind this program.

See Military Science faculty

Cadet Leadership

CDT Company Commander- Kevin Aquino — CDT Company Commander, Kevin Aquino

CDT Company First Sergeant- Joshua Carter — CDT Company First Sergeant, Joshua Carter

CDT BN Executive Officer, Lorenzo Diventura

CDT BN Command Sergeant Major- Kameron Herpic — CDT BN Command Sergeant Major, Kameron Herpic

CDT Battalion Commander- Elana Petrone — CDT Battalion Commander, Elana Petrone

A female cadet has pins added to her uniform by family and friends.

ROTC Cadet Class of 2024: Teresa Grace Djapa Criminal Justice and Student-Designed French Major

"Ms. Latonya Banks with ROTC played a major role in helping me shape what type of person I wanted to be, and Dr. Martine Motard-Noar and Dr. Gerard Keubeung helped me push out of my comfort zone and be open to new adventures."

Read about Teresa's McDaniel experience.

Photo of Jack Buckley at Commissioning with family adding pins to his uniform.

Meet an ROTC Alum Class of 2023: Jack Buckley

Jack Buckley’s First Year Seminar, From Chaos to Compromise, with Professor Gretchen McKay set the tone for his time at McDaniel — four years of discovery. A Philosophy and Political Science major, Jack zeroed in on studying national security, joining McDaniel’s National Security Fellows Program, and interning with European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, under the Department of Defense. As a member of the Green Terror Battalion, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps after graduation.

Read Jack's Senior Profile

Alumni Spotlight Class of 2019: Brandon Rozanski The View From the Top of the Hill

Biology major Brandon Rozanski was named the #6 ROTC cadet in the nation during his senior year and his academic excellence earned him a spot in medical school at the Uniformed Service University of Health Sciences.

Read "Class of 2019: Brandon Rozanski"

News for Military Science

McDaniel College earns Military Friendly® Silver Award

Published during Military Appreciation Month, McDaniel has been recognized for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year among the nation’s top schools for military and veteran students and as a Military Spouse Friendly School. McDaniel has annually made the Military Friendly® Schools list since 2009.
Seven ROTC cadets commissioned as Army officers

Seven McDaniel graduating seniors, who served as members of the Green Terror Battalion, received commissions as Army officers on May 22. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was retired Col. James Martin Jr. ’93, a vice president of executive technology services for Gartner’s large enterprise division and the 2024-25 president of the McDaniel College Alumni Council.
McDaniel College announces new faculty and promotions

New faculty include Virginia Kuulei Berndt, Sociology; Ani Gesheva M.S. '23, Business Administration; Lt. Col. Jason Johnson, Military Science; Nicole O'Reilly, Social Work; Adriano Lima e Silva, Accounting; and Catherine Springer-Sapp, Kinesiology and Health Sciences. McDaniel has also promoted Lisa Buckler M.S. '06, Early Childhood Education; Gené Fouché, Theatre Arts; and Heidi MacGlaughlin M.S. '96, Deaf Education.

Design Your Own Major Criminal Justice Computer Science Physics - Engineering