ROTC Programs

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Overview

What Is ROTC?

The Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program is one of the most successful leadership programs in the U.S.^{(See disclaimer 1)} It offers cadets paid tuition and a guaranteed military career post-graduation. ROTC programs at Grand Canyon University can help you develop governance skills that meet high U.S. Military quality standards and that will be useful in many post-military careers.

Why GCU

Benefits of ROTC in College at GCU

Army ROTC

Air Force ROTC

Lifelong Opportunities

ROTC Color Guard

If you would like GCU’s Army ROTC Color Guard to present or post the nation's colors at your events within the Phoenix metropolitan area, click here to complete the form.

A request must be made at least four weeks in advance. Please keep in mind, the Color Guard is a student-run group; therefore, availability is based on the schedule of our students. Requests are typically answered within 1-3 business days.

Week in the Life of an Army ROTC Cadet

If you’re considering joining ROTC, you may be curious what a typical week could look like for you.

As an Army ROTC Cadet, you can expect:

Three or more physical training days, 5:30 am formation
One lab day, 5:45 am formation
Field training exercises once per semester

Scholarships

Explore ROTC Scholarship Opportunities at GCU

Eligible GCU students may have the opportunity to compete for an Army ROTC scholarship. You may be eligible for full tuition scholarships, allowances for books and more. View all scholarship offerings at GCU by visiting our scholarships and grants page.

Opportunity to Serve

When you graduate from our ROTC program, you will have the opportunity to serve in the U.S. Army, Air Force or Space Force as a commissioned officer.

Army ROTC for Previous Enlisted Service

The Army ROTC program provides a full range of opportunities for those with prior enlisted service in the Army to become officers.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

For more information on Green to Gold, please contact ROTCOfficer@gcu.edu.

Careers

Future Jobs for Cadets Who Complete ROTC in College

After completing ROTC training in college, you will have the opportunity to commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. You may choose to be full time in the Army or part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Courses focusing on crucial topics such as military science, leadership dynamics, military history and training management can all help to prepare cadets to serve in these various fields.

There are various Army career fields that graduates may choose to serve in, including:

Transportation and logistics

Human resource management

Finance

Nursing

Engineering

Cybersecurity

Infantry

Law enforcement

Military intelligence

Air Force ROTC

GCU has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to offer an Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) minor, located at ASU's Tempe campus. Participating students are expected to attend Aerospace Studies (AES), Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) and Physical Training (PT) classes based on their university’s academic schedule. Objectives from missed classes must be accomplished in order to get credit for those missed days of class. Please note that transportation is not provided for students commuting to ASU.

What is Air Force ROTC Detachment 025?

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program is the foremost school of leadership in the nation that provides cadets the opportunity to commission as Air Force lieutenants after attending and leading a full college career. Our Detachment 025 ranks among the finest AFROTC programs that can help you in your goals of joining the Air Force or the Space Force, as the courses provided are meant to ensure foundational knowledge of both fields.

Partnering 4 world-class university training with AFROTC leadership skills and an established physical fitness program, AFROTC welcomes you to serve their nation as leaders in whatever capacity you are in.

Students will complete GCU’s AFROTC program at ASU’s Tempe campus. Detachment 025 operates on ASU’s academic calendar, so please refer to that academic calendar for expected class dates.

How to Join Detachment 025

If you're currently a student at GCU and are interested in pursuing the Air Force ROTC minor, contact your University Admissions Counselor (UAC) or Student Services Counselor (SSC) to get started. Once you complete and return the ROTC minor form, you will be enrolled in AFROTC courses.

You will also need to complete all the required enrollment steps and attend the New Student Orientation program (NSOP). All new students, including crosstown students, are expected to attend this event and be present in the correct uniform.

When joining the program, GCU students choosing to live in on-campus housing should ensure they apply for early housing by contacting GCU’s ROTC office.

View Enrollment and Orientation Page

Am I Eligible?

All students must be able to complete at least three full-time years of undergraduate schooling beginning the fall semester of the year they join AFROTC to be eligible for AFROTC cadet status. A cadet may include years in a master’s degree or a slowed-down academic progression (as long as they stay above full-time status) in order to meet the three full-time years of undergraduate schooling requirement
AFROTC courses count towards meeting the full-time student status requirement. Additionally, specific STEM majors are granted an additional fifth year in their undergraduate degree to meet this requirement as well. Exceptions to the three full-time years of student status requirement are generally limited to prior enlisted service members accepted into a specific Enlisted Commissioning Program or in a law program.
All students desiring a commission into the Air Force or Space Force must be U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens must provide the original Immigration Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card and be able to become U.S. citizens within 12 months after the student competes and is awarded entry into the last two years of the program.
Dual citizens who desire to be a cadet must express, in writing, their willingness to renounce their citizenship to another country and relinquish any foreign passports. This requirement does not constitute an official renouncement of citizenship to another country.
For further questions, please reach out to the ROTC office at 602-639-6618 or email ROTCOfficer@gcu.edu.

FAQ

Army ROTC FAQs

If you’re thinking about joining Army ROTC, read through some of the most frequently asked questions and answers to learn more.

Is enrolling in Army ROTC the same as joining the Army?

No. Enrolling in Army ROTC is not joining the Army. ROTC Cadets are college students who are being trained and educated to become Army commissioned officers. Students enrolled in college ROTC programs must agree to serve as officers in the Army after graduation in order to go through the entire program. Enrolling in the first two years of ROTC courses does not carry a service obligation unless the cadet has also received an Army ROTC scholarship.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

What are Army ROTC courses like?

Are all college majors compatible with Army ROTC?

Can I go into the Army Reserve or National Guard instead of Active Army?

How do students benefit from Army ROTC?

Can only scholarship winners enroll in ROTC?

Try ROTC With No Obligation to Military Service

Non-scholarship students can try Army ROTC programs for up to two years with no obligation while they work toward a college degree at GCU. If you have questions, or if you would like to know how to enroll in the ROTC program, send us an email.

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The appearance of U.S Department of Defense (DOD) or Military-themed visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement.

U.S. Army (2017). Get an Education in Leadership. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2024.
Army ROTC Engagement Fact Book.
U.S. Army. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2024.

ROTC Programs

What Is ROTC?

Benefits of ROTC in College at GCU

Week in the Life of an Army ROTC Cadet

Explore ROTC Scholarship Opportunities at GCU

Opportunity to Serve

Future Jobs for Cadets Who Complete ROTC in College

Army ROTC Commitment

Air Force ROTC

Army ROTC FAQs