Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Programs
Army and Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps programs, while not offered on the Fisk campus, are available through programs offered at two cooperating institutions, Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University. Fisk students who participate in the ROTC programs are also jointly enrolled at the respective institution.
Air Force Reserve Officer Training
Students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training (AFROTC) at Detachment 790 on the campus of Tennessee State University. AFROTC provides pre- commissioning training to college students who desire to serve as officers in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) . As AFROTC cadets, the majority of students will earn scholarships that may cover all, or a significant portion of tuition costs. In addition, cadets can earn a monthly stipend of up to $500 tax-free and up to $ 900 per academic year to pay for textbooks.
Cadets are required to attend AFROTC classes, in uniform, one day per week. One summer, typically between the sophomore and junior year, cadets must attend a four - week military training session. The combination of USAF military education, training, and college-level curriculum gives cadets a broad-based knowledge of management, leadership, and technical skills.
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Be a U.S. citizen, thirty years old or younger on December 31st of the year of graduation (exception exists for prior enlisted);
- Meet USAF weight standards;
- Pass a physical fitness test;
- Have a 2.5+ cumulative college GPA, and
- Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (a USAF-unique academic aptitude test).
The USAF will accept students from any accredited academic major; there is a critical need for technical majors such as engineers (all disciplines), nursing and those with foreign language proficiency. Upon graduation, cadets will earn commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force and will have the opportunity to serve a minimum of four years on active duty.
For more information visit www.AFROTC.com or contact the Detachment 790 Unit Admission Officer at www.tnstate.edu/rotc.
Army Reserve Officer Training
Army ROTC programs are offered at Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University. Fisk students may participate in these programs and are eligible for all the benefits associated with them. Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University courses in the ROTC programs are noted on students' Fisk transcripts. Fisk, however, reserves the right to determine which courses are appropriate and consonant with its educational objectives. Some courses in the Army ROTC program can be counted as general electives in a Fisk degree program. These courses are listed in this Bulletin under Military Science (MS) for the Army program. Participating students are eligible to compete for two-year, three-year or three and one-half-year scholarships at Vanderbilt University. Qualified juniors and seniors are awarded a book allowance and a monthly stipend during the school year. Full information on these programs is available to interested students upon their enrollment at Fisk. See the section entitled Other Academic Programs in this Bulletin for a complete listing of Army ROTC undergraduate courses.