Overview
Welcome to the Corps of Cadets
New Cadet Week is Aug. 14-22. Weeks of Welcome key events will be included in New Cadet Week. All new cadets will attend their college orientation on Friday, Aug. 21. Classes begin Aug. 24 for all students.
Step One: Choose a Track
The Corps offers two tracks for cadets: Military-Leader and Citizen-Leader.
The Military-Leader Track is for cadets in ROTC programs who are pursuing a military commission.
- The Citizen-Leader Track is for cadets who value the Corps’ lifestyle and leadership development opportunities without a military obligation upon graduation.
To enroll in the Citizen-Leader Track, register for the first-year class MGT 1935 (2 credit hours). Choose from one of the available sections. Each section also has a required lab that meets on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. You will receive more information about this course during New Cadet Week’s VPI Battalion Information Session.
The Citizen-Leader Track course is in addition to MGT 1945 which has a required lab that meets Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. and is required for all first-year cadets. Because both courses have required labs, do not allow your academic department advisors to schedule you for classes that meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
The VPI Battalion Fitness test is based on U.S. Air Force Fitness Test Component Standards/Scoring and consists of 3 events to include pushups, plank and a 1 ½ mile run. Here is access to the VPI PT Standards.
Citizen-Leader Track cadets have the option to pursue cross disciplinary majors and obtain skills necessary for careers in the public and private sectors while also practicing leadership skills learned through the Corps in a variety of tasks and projects.
Great organizations are looking to employ graduates who are purpose driven, have a strong work ethic, can execute, and put service first. Operating under the Corps’ military structure, you will assume progressive positions of responsibility and take classes in leadership, professionalism, and ethics. Because our Citizen-Leader Track is unique among the senior military colleges and the university, you will stand out in your first job interview and throughout your career.
When you graduate, you will join a network of over 10,000 Corps alumni who share your college experience and who can help you find careers in your chosen field. There is no military obligation for Citizen-Leader Track cadets. Over 85 percent of Citizen-Leader Track graduates have secured their future plans by the time they graduate. In the past several years, they have gone on to work for organizations such as the Defense Intelligence Agency, the CIA, the Naval Nuclear Lab, Northrop Grumman, Amazon, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, and IBM. Cadets have the option to pursue commissions as an officer for the Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course (PLC), Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program (AUP), Nuclear Propulsion Officers Course for the U.S. Navy, or prepare for OCS/ OTS for all other services. Other cadets choose to pursue graduate school for further studies. Cadets pursuing the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) also participate in the Citizen-Leader Track.
To enroll in ROTC as a first-year cadet, register for the first-year ROTC class/es for the program of your choice. The ROTC classes are offered at various times and can be found in the Timetable of Classes on Hokie SPA. The ROTC laboratories meet on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
- Army ROTC: MS 1005
- Navy ROTC: MN 1004 (class) / MN 1014 (physical fitness)
- Air Force ROTC: AS 1115 (class), AS 2944 (lab), and AS 2934 (physical fitness) (All three are required).
AFROTC cadets:
The Friday AFROTC lab is available only to upperclass cadets. Please be aware that you should not sign up for a 9:30 a.m. Tuesday/Thursday class if you sign up for AS 2934 Tuesday/Thursdays, or a 9:05 a.m. Monday/Wednesday class if you sign up for AS 2934 Monday/ Wednesday. AS 2934 runs until 9:15 a.m. (even though it says 8:50 a.m. in the Timetable of Classes), and you won’t have enough time to shower before your next class.
Activating Your Four-Year ROTC Scholarship
If you have been awarded a four-year ROTC scholarship through the national ROTC scholarship application process, congratulations! Your scholarship toward your tuition and fees will post as a pending credit this summer. To activate your scholarship, you must pass your first ROTC-administered physical fitness test. If you do not pass, your ROTC will discuss additional opportunities you might have to pass.
Typically, this test is administered the first week of school and the results submitted within two weeks. You will most likely see the first half of your book stipend and monthly stipend by the end of the first or second month of classes. Once you pass your physical fitness test, the tuition and fees credit will change from pending to an actual credit on your tuition bill. During your first year on an ROTC scholarship, you should plan on paying for your books and covering your monthly stipend until the end of the first or second month of school.
Compete for an On-Campus ROTC Scholarship
ROTC programs offer three-year and two-year on-campus scholarships. The opportunity to earn one varies by ROTC and from year-to-year based on the needs of the services. The ROTC programs will share more information in their classes this fall. Generally, you will enroll in their classes/lab, attend their physical fitness training sessions, and do as well as you can academically, especially in your ROTC class. They will submit those eligible to compete for the three and a-half or three-year scholarship nationally (if you are enrolled in ROTC, there is no individual application) after first semester grades are finalized, usually sometime in the spring semester. If you are not selected, the two-year scholarship process is the same for sophomores and rising juniors.
Air Force and Naval ROTCs award many of their scholarships to STEM majors. However, you can still earn an ROTC scholarship as a non-STEM major. Army ROTC and the Marine Option do not require you to major in a STEM area. In fact, Army ROTC has additional ROTC scholarships for STEM majors.
Scholarships
If you plan to enroll in Army ROTC and would like to know more about Minuteman Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty (GRFD) scholarship opportunities that may still be available for fall 2025, contact the Army ROTC enrollment officer at rotc@vt.edu. GRFD scholarships require you to serve in the National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves upon graduation and commissioning. Students seeking regular (active duty) scholarships will have the opportunity to compete for them during the academic year, once enrolled in Army ROTC. Students who have already received Army ROTC scholarships through the National High School Board process will be given further details on contracting requirements and procedures through a Zoom information session. The time, date, and meeting link for the session will be posted via the Corps Canvas site and emailed at a later date.
Physical Fitness
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is currently being used to assess the physical fitness of cadets. As part of the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F), the AFT helps maintain Soldiers’ physical and mental wellbeing, and plays a big role in the Army’s fitness culture. The AFT consists of 5 events: 3 Repetition Max Deadlift, Hand Release Pushup, Spring-Drag-Carry, Plank and the Two-Mile Run. More information from the official Army website on AFT standards can be found here.
Required Documents
Download and upload required Army ROTC enrollment documents through the Corps’ Canvas site. However, when you report to New Cadet Week, you must bring the following items because we must see the original or notarized versions:
Original birth certificate or naturalization certificate, or a certified or notarized copy AND photocopy of the document.
Original Social Security card, or a certified or notarized copy AND a photocopy of the document.
We will verify the original or notarized versions and return them to you immediately. We will keep the photocopied versions.
Army ROTC Classes
Incoming first-year cadets should enroll in Army ROTC Military Science I (MS 1005). Transfer students coming into Virginia Tech and Army ROTC as academic sophomores or juniors may have different Military Science requirements and should discuss with Mr. Buck Kellogg before orientation.
POC:
Mr. Buck Kellogg: 540-231-4804
armyrotc@vt.edu
If you are enrolled in Naval ROTC and would like to know more about on campus scholarship opportunities, email Dr. Francis Cavendish at fcavendish@vt.edu.
Physical Fitness (Naval)
The physical fitness test includes a plank, two minutes of pushups, and a 1.5-mile run.
Physical Fitness (Marine Option)
The physical fitness test includes two minutes of crunches, pullups (men) or flexed arm hang (women), and a 3-mile run. See the standards by gender and age here.
Required Paperwork
Download the forms from the VTCC 2030-Fall 2026 / ROTC Paperwork course site on Canvas. Be sure to select the appropriate category for “Scholarship” or “College Program” (not on scholarship). Upon download, save the forms as a PDF file on your device. Complete the forms and submit as an “upload” into Canvas under the same module you downloaded the forms from. Please do not sign anything so the NROTC unit staff can witness your signature. Bring an original certified birth certificate, passport, or citizen naturalization certificate, Social Security card, and driver’s license (if you have one).
Those on scholarship must have a completed DoDMERB physical that is stamped “qualified” or “waiverable,” prior to swear in. Those who wish to join the College Program will need to provide a sports physical and immunization record to give to the Naval ROTC at Corps Orientation. It must be complete to participate in the Naval ROTC program.
ALL new midshipmen joining Naval ROTC must also provide a copy of a Sickle Cell lab test. This can be completed at Schiffert Health Center or at the time of your physical.
POC
LT Van Keuren: 540-231-7883
nrotc@vt.edu
Air Force ROTC has limited in college scholarship opportunities. If you are not awarded a High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) scholarship, the next scholarship opportunity will be the Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA) that is awarded to all Field Training graduates at the start of their junior year. Please contact usaf@ vt.edu for more information.
Physical Fitness
The physical fitness test includes one minute of pushups, one minute of sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. See the standards by gender and age here.
Required Paperwork
Download the Air Force ROTC “Directions & Required Documents” and complete all required actions. If you have questions, email the NCO team at det875orgbox@vt.edu. Bring your Air Force paperwork with you to New Cadet Week for processing.
POC:
Major Carlson: 540-231-6405
usaf@vt.edu
The Highty-Tighties
If you are interested in joining the regimental band, the Highty-Tighties, complete the Highty-Tighties Stipend Form and enroll in the one credit Instrument Ensemble Music class, Music 3314 (CRN: 88266). It will meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The Highty-Tighties use silver-tone instruments, which are provided. The Highty-Tighties also offer a jazz band, a pep band, buglers, a brass quintet, a string ensemble, and more. You will earn academic credit each semester you are in the regimental band.
All Highty-Tighties are in Band Company, and Band company is your company in the Corps. It is not in addition to the Corps. Your academic success is very important. If you effectively use your study hours (the band has the same dedicated study hours as line companies), you will be able to balance your academic major (including engineering) and participation in the band. Why not surround yourself with fellow cadets who share your love of making music?
As a member of the Highty-Tighties, first and second year band cadets will be awarded an additional stipend through the Corps scholarship process. An additional $500 will be applied to band cadets accounts each of their first four semesters, for a total of $2,000.
If you have questions about life in the band, preferred musical experience, or performances, reach out to the Corps Recruiting Office.