Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Senior Army ROTC is one of the nation's premier leadership development programs, designed to fit seamlessly into your college experience.

Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

ROTC courses are taken as electives alongside your regular classes and are open to students of all majors.

You can explore the program for up to two years with no obligation to the Army, making it an accessible way to build leadership skills, confidence, and real‑world experience while deciding what path is right for you.

For students interested in commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Army ROTC offers flexible pathways for those with two, three, or four years of college remaining, including options for graduate students. Cadets develop leadership skills through hands‑on training during the academic year and reinforced summer training experiences, where they build on foundational knowledge and learn more advanced, specialized skills. Scholarships and financial benefits are available for students on a commissioning track, helping offset the cost of college while preparing for a future as an Army officer.

The Bulldog Company

Drake University’s Army ROTC program—known as the Bulldog Company—follows the same curriculum and is led by the same experienced cadre as the highly successful Iowa State University program. Students receive a high‑quality education while also participating in large‑scale, combined field training exercises twice each year at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.

As part of the Cyclone Battalion based in Ames, Drake cadets are members of a prestigious host unit that includes students from Iowa State University, Grand View University, and Buena Vista University.

Group of Drake - Army ROTC Students at the Drake Road Races.

Do I have to commit right away?

No. Students can participate in Army ROTC during their first two years of college with no military obligation. ROTC courses are taken as electives, giving you the opportunity to explore leadership development, teamwork, and hands‑on training while deciding whether commissioning as an Army officer is the right path for you.

A service commitment is only required later in the program—typically when a student chooses to contract and continue toward commissioning or accepts an ROTC scholarship.

Can I serve while I'm still a student?

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows students to participate in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve while enrolled in ROTC. Through SMP, cadets gain hands‑on leadership experience by serving in a unit, while continuing their ROTC training on campus.

SMP cadets remain full‑time students, participate in ROTC classes and training, and drill with their Guard or Reserve unit—earning additional experience, mentorship, and, in many cases, financial benefits. Upon graduation, SMP cadets commission as Second Lieutenants and continue service in the Guard or Reserve.