Army ROTC at WSU

Earn a degree and prepare to serve your country. 

The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a program that combines courses in military science with practical leadership training to prepare people to become Army officers. 

WSU students interested in ROTC take courses through University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (UW-L). 

How ROTC Works

ROTC is not a major. It is designed to complement your regular college courses, not interfere with them. ROTC courses fit right into your regular college schedule.

You can enroll in ROTC for the first 2 years– the “Basic Course”–without any future military commitment. 

Once you accept a scholarship or begin the “Advanced Course” in your junior year of ROTC, you commit to 3-4 years of active duty service. 

You’ll choose to become an officer in the Active Army, the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard upon graduation. 

WSU will pay for your ROTC classes if you maintain at least 12 WSU credits. With ROTC classes included, your semester total must be 18 credits or less. 

Enrolling in ROTC

The first step to enroll in ROTC is to apply online. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Under “Applying as”: WSU students check WSU ROTC 
• Under “I’m intending to take a course in the following school/college”: Choose Liberal Studies 
• Under “Please indicate your educational goals”, check Baccalaureate Degree and Other and then write in ROTC at WSU 
• When asked for an applicant statement, write: I’m a cadet at WSU participating in ROTC through UW-L 

After admission, you will register for ROTC classes at UW-L. This must be done before the Friday of the first week of the UW-L semester. Do not count on your instructor signing an Add/Drop slip if you miss this deadline.

Since WSU classes begin earlier, you have plenty of time to register.

Contact the La Crosse ROTC Office at rotc@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8408 for more information about the course or applying for ROTC Scholarships.