Goucher ROTC: Affiliation with the Loyola-Towson Army ROTC Program
ROTC Program for Goucher Students
Goucher has a strong partnership with the Loyola-Towson Army ROTC program. Participating students gain many advantages, including an opportunity for a scholarship and stipend, leadership training, mentorship, post-graduation employment, and funding for post-graduate education.
If you are interested in pursuing participation in ROTC as a Goucher student, please reach out to Tania Rachkoskie, associate vice president for enrollment management at tania.rachkoskie@goucher.edu. She will assist you with any questions and connections needed to pursue the program.
Goucher Affiliate: The Loyola-Towson Army ROTC Program
Goucher College accepts Army ROTC Scholarships as part of the college’s affiliation with the Loyola-Towson Army ROTC program. The program is based at nearby Loyola University Maryland; however, some of its classes and training take place at Towson State University, just minutes away from Goucher.
Interested students can learn more about Loyola University ROTC Program - Greyhound Battalion by contacting Mr. Joseph Mucci, scholarship and enrollment officer at 410-617-5179 or jmucci@loyola.edu.
The Greyhound Battalion comprises over 100 students from four local universities (Loyola, Towson, Goucher, and Notre Dame).
The professor of military science who leads the program at Loyola is Lieutenant Colonel Timothy M. Mitroka, professor of military science.
Four-Year Army ROTC Curriculum with Loyola-Towson Army ROTC
The focus for the first two years is on individual development, leadership instruction, and meeting the qualifications for service through completion of the following four classes:
Military Science 101: Leadership & Personal Development
Military Science 102: Introduction to Tactical Leadership
Military Science 201: Innovative Team Leadership
Military Science 202: Foundations of Tactical Leadership
Juniors and seniors in the Battalion must be qualified and committed to serve after graduation or be in the process of contracting to take the advanced military science courses. The requirements, responsibilities, and expectations increase as students advance through the Army ROTC program with a focus on applying leadership instruction and preparing to serve and lead soldiers through completion of the following four courses:
Military Science 301: Adaptive Team Leadership
Military Science 302: Applied Team Leadership
Military Science 401: Mission Command & the Army Profession
Military Science 402: Mission Command & the Company Grade Officer
Students will also attend Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
National Army ROTC Scholarships
Every year, the Army awards more than 2,000 full tuition scholarships, regardless of cost, to high school seniors. Other benefits include a monthly stipend and bi-annual book money, both paid directly to the student.
Applications open June 12 before the senior year of high school. The process includes submission of transcripts, board scores, personal statements, a fitness test, and interview. The application window opens in June and closes in March.
Scholarships are awarded from November through April. The very last day to start an application for a scholarship is February 26.
Army ROTC Student Campus Involvement
Students in the Battalion are involved on their campuses, taking part in student government, work study, varsity athletics, various academic and athletic clubs, National Guard and US Army Reserve, and every other extracurricular activity offered through their institutions.
Service Obligations
All graduates of the ROTC program are newly commissioned lieutenants in the army, incurring an eight-year service obligation.
Those that serve in the Active Duty Army begin a four- or three-year commitment in a full-time status. Once the initial full-time commitment is complete, then they can elect to remain active, serve part-time in the Army National Guard (ARNG), or Army Reserve (USAR) or enter the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).
New lieutenants to the Reserve Components (ARNG and USAR) owe the same eight-year obligation, however, they serve in a part-time status or either eight- or six- years before they can elect to remain serving part-time or enter the IRR.
Initial Career Fields
Initial career fields for ROTC graduates include opportunities in Operations Support (military intelligence, signal, and cybersecurity); Maneuver, Fires, Effects (Engineer, Field Artillery, Infantry, Aviation, Military Police, among others) and Force Sustainment (Finance, Medical Services, Quartermaster, Transportation, Adjutant General, among others).
Specialized Career Fields
ROTC graduates can also enter specialized career fields such as:
- Special Branches: Civil Affairs, Chaplain, Judge Advocate, Special Forces, Psychological Operations, and Ranger
- Medical Fields: Behavioral Sciences, Medical Corps, Health Serices, laboratory Sciences, Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Corps and more
- By Assignment: Air Assault, Airborne, and Cavalry
- Functional Areas: Force Management, Information Network Engineering, Space Operations, Strategic Intelligence, Public Affairs, Logistics, Marketing & Behavioral Economics, and many more
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Goucher students recently been involved in the Army ROTC program?
Yes, within the last five years, five Goucher students have participated in the Loyola-Towson Army Greyhound Battalion ROTC program.
What is the schedule for participation in the Army ROTC program?
The weekly schedule for first year students would be fitness training at Loyola on Tuesday mornings and at Towson on Thursday mornings, a class for first-year students at Loyola on Tuesday afternoons and Towson on Thursday afternoons, and a Leadership Lab on Wednesday morning (location varies).
I am an athlete and there will be conflicts between game schedules and training and my ROTC requirements. Can I still participate in both athletics and the ROTC?
Yes, our athletics department has partnered with Loyola Army ROTC leadership in the past to facilitate Goucher student participation in the ROTC program, resolving conflicts between game schedules, athletic training, and ROTC requirements.
What is the average GPA among Army ROTC Greyhound Battalion students?
The average GPA is 3.34, and the average for those on scholarships is 3.44.
Are there women in the Army ROTC Greyhound Battalion?
Yes, approximately 1/3 of the students are female.
Do Army ROTC students have to have any military experience?
No. Most of the Battalion’s new students are first-year students right from high school with no prior military experience.
Will I receive a scholarship?
While we cannot say for sure, we can tell you that most scholarship recipients were in the top 50% of their high school class with an average GPA of 3.7, and membership in the National Honor Society. Excellence in athletics – being a varsity letter winner or team captain – was also a factor for most scholarship recipients.
What about students who do not earn, or apply, for a national scholarship?
Most students enter ROTC without a scholarship. Those that join the program and perform well can compete for and earn a scholarship after meeting academic, fitness and medical qualifications. Once a student is in ROTC, there is not an application process for scholarships like in high school; ROTC staff make nominations based upon students’ GPA, Army Combat Fitness Test score, Order of Merit List (performance ranking among peers in class), Professor of Military Science rating of potential, and input from your instructor. The nominations are then set to a higher level where final selections are made.
What about compensation after I graduate? What does that look like?
Full-time compensation in the Active-Duty Army is competitive with regular increases and offers worldwide travel and assignments. Benefits include 100% medical and dental, 30 days paid vacation annually, unmatched life insurance, transferable education benefits, civilian transition assistance, world-class family services and highly coveted civilian skills.
Part-time compensation in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves is excellent, with regular pay increases, and benefits include low-cost medical and dental excellent education benefits, family services, highly coveted civilian skills, many training and travel opportunities and the opportunity to work close to home within your community.