Reserve Officers Training Corps Programs
The University of Notre Dame offers the opportunity to combine the pursuit of an academic degree with earning an officer’s commission in either the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Air Force. Students enrolled in any of the colleges of the University may participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Selection of courses in the student’s academic major is independent of those selected for ROTC.
The College of Arts and Letters and the College of Business Administration accept a maximum of 12 free elective credits from the 30000- and 40000-level military sciences only. Credit from the 10000- and 20000-level courses does not count toward the degree requirements and must be subtracted from the total number of degree credits listed on the transcript.
In the College of Engineering, ROTC students who complete the ROTC program are permitted a maximum of six credits of upper-level air, military or naval science as substitutes for specified degree requirements determined by the department. Not more than three credits may be substituted for history or social science. All air, military or naval science credits not substituted are not credited toward degree requirements in programs.
In the School of Architecture, ROTC students are permitted a maximum of six credits of 40000-level air, military or naval science courses as substitutes for electives within the 165 credit hours required for the bachelor of architecture degree.
The College of Science will count a maximum of six credit hours of upper-level (30000- or 40000-level) ROTC courses toward the 124-credit-hour requirements. These courses will be counted as free electives.
Military Science and Leadership
Chair and Professor:
Lieutenant Colonel William Kobbe
Assistant Professors:
Captain Christian Henderson; Captain Emilie White; Master Sergeant James Kuritz
As one of the premier Army ROTC Battalions in the country, the department’s mission is to educate, train, develop, and inspire participants to become officers and leaders of character for the US Army and the nation. The program does this through a combination of classroom instruction, leadership labs, and experiential learning opportunities focused on developing the mind, body, and spirit of participants. These opportunities are designed specifically to enhance character and leadership ability in the participants and to allow them to practice the essential components of leadership: influencing, decision making, and developing others. Participants become members of the Fightin’ Irish Battalion and complete a planned and managed sequence of classroom courses and practical exercises intended to develop each participant into what an US Army officer must be—a leader of character, a leader with presence, and a leader of intelligence—to enable them to reach their full potential as individuals and as effective leaders of groups. The program affords students an excellent opportunity to serve their country and focuses on the role of Army officers in the preservation of peace and national security, with particular emphasis placed on ethical conduct, understanding officer’s leadership responsibility to society, develop themselves as well as others, and achieve life -long success. The experience culminates ideally with participants earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. As an organization committed to lifelong learning, participants may elect to pursue one of the Army’s numerous opportunities for follow-on postgraduate study as well.
Student Awards and Prizes
George C. Marshall Award. An award given annually to the top Cadets in US Army Cadet Command. Winners participate in a national seminar with some of the nation’s highest ranking leaders in Fort Knox, KY.
The Dixon Award. Named in memory of an alumnus of the Notre Dame Army ROTC Battalion, annually recognizes an outstanding senior who has exemplified the highest professionalism, dedication, and service to the Fightin’ Irish Battalion.
The Schellinger/Dukeman Commander’s Award. Named in honor of Notre Dame Army ROTC Battalion alumni and former Cadre, annually recognizes the most outstanding Cadets of the fall semester with a US Army saber for their ability to collaborate as a teammate and be a leader amongst peers.
The Haley Award. Named in memory of an alumnus of the Notre Dame Army ROTC program, a handcarved Irish shillelagh is presented annually to the Cadet who displays the Notre Dame Ethos of “God, Country, Notre Dame” and serves as a mentor for the junior Cadets in the program.
The McKee Award. Named in honor of an alumnus of the Notre Dame Army ROTC Battalion, a commemorative plaque is presented annually to an outstanding member of the Army Color Guard.
The Jordan Exemplar Award. Named in honor of a contributor to Notre Dame Army ROTC Battalion, a commemorative plaque and knife is presented annually to an outstanding member of the Irish Rangers.
The Belin Award. A commemorative K-BAR presented annually to the Cadet who served on the Battalion Staff with commitment and excellence. This cadet displayed qualities of military leadership, discipline, and resourcefulness, directly resulting in the success of the Fightin’ Irish Battalion.
Numerous other awards are presented annually by various local and national organizations to recognize excellence in academic achievement and military aptitude.
Courses
The Department of Military Science and Leadership offers courses under the subject code of: Military Science (Army ROTC) (MSL). Courses associated with their academic programs may be found here. The scheduled classes for a given semester may be found at classearch.nd.edu
Naval Science
Chair and Professor:
CAPT John Smith, USN
Associate Professor:
CDR Matthew Wood, USN
Assistant Professors:
Capt Andrew Hunold, USMC
LCDR Matthew Desrosiers, USN
LT Sean Dunne, USN
LT Adrian Navotas, USN
LT Thomas Yoder, USN
The mission of NROTC is to educate, train, and screen officer candidates to ensure they possess the moral, intellectual, and physical qualities for commissioning and the leadership potential to serve successfully as unrestricted line officers in the U.S. Navy and company grade officers in the Marine Corps. The NROTC Scholarship Program fills a vital need in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.
Non-NROTC students should consult with their college dean or advisor to determine if a Naval Science course will count toward graduation.
Additional NROTC Curriculum Requirements
In addition to the Naval Science requirements, NROTC scholarship students are required to complete other specified university courses. These additional requirements are taken as a part of the student’s field of study or as degree electives, depending upon the college in which enrolled. Students will be notified of such requirements prior to joining the NROTC Program.
Student Organizations and Activities
All NROTC students are integrated into the Midshipman Battalion organization. In addition to participation in all other university organizations and activities for which eligible, NROTC students may participate in specific NROTC organizations and activities such as the Color Guard, Drill Team, Commander’s Cup athletic teams, the NROTC Unit newspaper and yearbook, and the planning of the Naval Leadership Weekend national conference.
Student Awards and Prizes
The Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Graduate Award. The annual recognition of the top graduating midshipman.
The Edward Easby-Smith Award. A sword is awarded to one of the top graduating Navy or Marine Option Midshipmen who exemplified the characteristics of a naval officer while filling one of the senior midshipman staff positions during the past year.
The 1st LT. Vincent J. Naimoli, USMC Award. A sword is awarded to one of the top graduating Navy or Marine Option Midshipmen demonstrating 110 percent dedication and effort in academic achievement, student activities, and leadership.
The Colonel Brian C. Regan, USMCR Award. A sword is awarded to the top graduating Marine Option Midshipman for his or her superior leadership and esprit de corps throughout the four years at Notre Dame.
Gallagher-Snider Award. A sword is awarded to a first class Navy or Marine Option Midshipman who displayed outstanding academic achievement, superior military bearing, and exceptional leadership and physical fitness throughout their four years at Notre Dame.
Captain John A. McGurty Jr. Award is a Navy or Marine sword awarded to a Midshipman who has demonstrated superior leadership through entire NROTC career and best embodies the spirit of can-do attitude.
NROTC Carter Family Sword Endowment for Excellence is a Navy or Marine sword who consistently demonstrated the highest standards of leadership, initiative, professionalism, and service before self.
The Commander Ronald Wong (’53) Sword for Excellence are two officer swords awarded to the Honor Company Commander for the Fall and Spring Semester.
Numerous other awards are presented annually by various professional and patriotic organizations to recognize excellence in academic achievement and military aptitude.
Courses
NROTC students take a total of 22 credits of Naval Science, one course each semester. Naval Science offers courses under the subject code of: Naval Science (NSCI). Courses associated with their academic programs may be found here. The scheduled classes for a given semester may be found at classearch.nd.edu
Aerospace Studies
Chair and Professor:
Colonel Charles M. Freel, USAF
Assistant Professors:
Lieutenant Colonel Travis Clark, USAF
Captain Lindsey Brewer, USAF
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 225 is a premier education and training program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become world-class leaders as Air Force officers while completing an undergraduate four-year academic degree. The AFROTC program develops leadership and management skills that students need to become effective and trusted leaders in the 21st century. In return for perseverance and dedicated efforts, we offer the opportunity for education and training, advancement, and a sense of pride that comes from serving in the United States Air Force. Programs like Project Go offer language immersion opportunities and You Can Fly scholarships are available to those interested in gaining flight hours. Upon completion of the Air Force ROTC program, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in either the United States Air Force or United States Space Force, depending on which path the cadet chooses to follow. Following commissioning, there are excellent opportunities for additional education in a wide variety of academic fields before moving into a new career.
Student Organizations and Activities
All Air Force ROTC cadets are given opportunities to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities to develop their leadership skills. Activities available for AFROTC cadets include: the Arnold Air Society (AAS), a group dedicated toward service in the local community; Veterans Day Vigil; the annual Flying Irish Basketball Tournament, which is the largest ROTC cadet-run event in the country; the TriMil Cup, played between the three ROTC branches; study abroad programs; intramural and varsity athletics; University band and cheerleading activities, as well as the Honor Guard. The Honor Guard performs at campus and community functions while developing individual drill proficiency. Foreign language programs, engineering programs, and cultural leadership studies are also available during the summer when the opportunity becomes available. There are typically several opportunities throughout the year to travel to different universities and active duty bases if a cadet is in good standing and nominated by detachment cadre.
Student Awards and Prizes
The Commander’s Leadership Award, and an Air Force officer’s sword, are presented to the top graduating senior in Air Force ROTC for their strong academic record and outstanding character, leadership, and officer potential.
The LtCol James Fowler Award, named in memory of a 1959 alumnus of Notre Dame Air Force ROTC program, is given to a rated officer candidate in the junior class who truly personifies LtCol Fowler’s legacy of service before self. The awardee receives a sculpture that “honors the heroes of the sky—our American pilots who soar up in the area and tell stories with their hands,” (artist: Michael Garman, “And There I Was”).
The Nöel Dubé Memorial Award, named in memory of a 1970 alumnus of the Notre Dame Air Force ROTC program, is presented to a senior Arnold Air Society member who carries the most wing spirit, holds the most potential as an officer, and has contributed the most to furthering the ideals and goals of the society within the University and the local community. The cadet is also awarded an Air Force officer’s sword.
The Captain Paul Robérge Leadership Award, named in memory of an 1981 alumnus of the Notre Dame Air Force ROTC program, annually recognizes the top senior pilot candidate who most exhibits the leadership characteristics that exemplify the Air Force core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do. The chosen cadet is also awarded an Air Force officer’s sword. In addition, one junior, sophomore and freshman with the same characteristics are recognized with a small monetary award.
The Captain Reid Nishizuka Award, named in memory of an 2005 alumnus of the Notre Dame Air Force ROTC program, is given to a senior/ commissioning cadet that most embodies Captain Nishizuka’s superior mentorship capabilities, cheerful disposition and utmost professionalism. The cadet is also awarded an Air Force officer’s sword.
Other awards are sponsored by various local and national organizations to recognize excellence within the cadet corps.
Courses
Aerospace Studies offers courses under the subject code of: Air Force-Aerospace Studies (AS). Courses associated with their academic programs may be found here. The scheduled classes for a given semester may be found at classearch.nd.edu
* Leadership Laboratory is open to students who are members of ROTC or who are eligible to pursue a commission as determined by the professor of Aerospace Studies.