Army ROTC Minor
Build leadership skills, develop decision-making abilities, and explore military leadership and national defense.
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Minor at a Glance
Complete 19 credits focused on Army ROTC, military leadership, and related studies.
Explore military leadership, decision-making, and national defense through the Army ROTC Program.
Build skills in leadership, planning, teamwork, and decision-making that apply across careers and professional settings.
You must be enrolled in the Army ROTC Program and working toward commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
What You’ll Learn
Build your knowledge of the U.S. Army while developing the leadership, communication, decision-making, and teamwork skills needed to lead others and work effectively in teams.
Build Your Foundation
You’ll begin by learning about:
- The structure and roles of the U.S. Army
- Army ranks and responsibilities
- Basic leadership and teamwork skills
Develop Advanced Skills
As you go further, you’ll explore more advanced topics like:
- Military decision-making and tactical planning
- Problem-solving and mission execution
- Cultural awareness and leading diverse teams
- How military operations have shaped U.S. and global history
Hands-On Leadership Experience
In your third and fourth years, you’ll have the opportunity to take on leadership roles in simulated Army units, such as platoons, companies, or battalions. These experiences help you build skills in:
- Planning and organizing missions
- Communicating clearly and effectively
- Leading teams and managing operations
- Writing and interpreting Army orders using the Army Operations Process
You’ll also take part in physical fitness training and weekend leadership labs. These are required for Army ROTC students planning to become Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army after graduation.
Students will also participate in a Staff Ride, an applied field experience that includes touring a battlefield and examining the tactics, leaders, consequences, and outcomes associated with the battle.
Admission & Graduation Requirements
The Military Science and Leadership Minor is closely connected to participation in Army ROTC. Students must meet the following requirements to enter and remain in the minor and to have it recorded on their official transcript.
To Enter and Remain in the Minor
Students must:
- Be enrolled in the Army ROTC Program by the beginning of their junior year.
- Meet all Army ROTC contractual requirements by the beginning of their junior year.
- Maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.00.
- Earn a passing grade in each course required for the minor.
Before You Graduate
Students must officially declare their minor with their Military Science Adviser prior to applying for graduation in order for the minor to be noted on their official transcript.
Important: Be sure your minor is officially declared before you submit your graduation application.
Coursework
In order to complete the minor, you will take the courses outlined below.
Core Courses: 16 credits
All eight courses are required.
Electives: 3 credits
You must select one of the courses below.
Your Support Team
The Military Science Minor is supported by a dedicated team to help you succeed in the classroom, in Army ROTC, and beyond.
Army ROTC Instructors
All Military Science classes are taught by Army ROTC instructors selected from diverse career fields and assigned to instructor positions through official military orders. Instructors are experienced Commissioned Officers and senior Non-Commissioned Officers from the Army Active Duty, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard components.
Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator serves as your academic advisor and helps guide you through the minor.
Together, they’ll support you every step of the way—both in and out of the classroom. Our staff is dedicated to helping you succeed in either military service or civilian life.
Learn more about the Three Rivers Battalion | Division of Student Affairs.
Questions About the Minor?
Jon Zito
Program Coordinator
Academic Minor Advisor
Office Location: Bellefield Hall, Room 407
Phone: (412) 624-6197
Email: jaz84@pitt.edu