Welcome to the Raider Battalion

The Raider Battalion is the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at Shippensburg University. Located in the heart of the Shippensburg University campus, the Raider Battalion includes students from Shippensburg University, Wilson College, and Penn State Mont Alto.

The Reserve Officer Training Corps is a series of elective courses you take along with your college major that prepares you to become an officer in the US Army. It offers college students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills as they pursue their education in one of the university's major fields of study. Basic military skills are taught throughout the curriculum. All activities, including developmental counseling, are designed to build self-confidence and character.

By enrolling in ROTC, you are preparing for a career as a military officer, not enrolling in the Army. ROTC cadets do not have to commit to any military obligation (unless accepting an ROTC scholarship) during the first two years of the program. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all opportunities available to Shippensburg students including sports, band, SGA, and fraternities.

Military Science Department Programs

The Military Science Department offers two excellent programs.

ROTC Program

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program is a sequence of elective courses that prepare students to become officers in the United States Army upon graduation. It develops your leadership skills while you pursue a graduate or undergraduate degree in any of Shippensburg University’s majors.

ROTC students of all levels are invited to attend other events throughout their course of study:

Field training exercises
Physical training
Ranger Challenge competition
Social affairs
5K and 10K races

Military Science Minor

The Military Science Minor enhances leadership skills and prepares you for leadership opportunities. The minor can be completed by all students. Anyone going through all four years of the ROTC Program will automatically receive the minor.

Why Study Military Science at Ship?

The Raider Battalion is the ROTC program at Shippensburg University. Located in the heart of the Shippensburg University campus, the Raider Battalion includes students from Shippensburg University, Wilson College, and Penn State Mont Alto. The program combines courses in military science with summer training opportunities to transform you into a U.S. Army officer.

Upon completion of the ROTC program, Ship graduates are commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army and may serve on active duty or in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Officers are managers within the Army. Most newly commissioned Second Lieutenants begin their careers as the leader of a platoon consisting of approximately 30 enlisted soldiers.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify. As a high school junior and senior you may apply for a four-year scholarship. As an incoming freshman, you may apply for a three-year scholarship. Qualified sophomores may apply for a two-year scholarship. Scholarships pay for tuition, fees, and a book allowance each semester. You will also be eligible to receive a stipend of up to $5,000 per year. In addition, the Pennsylvania National Guard offers an Educational Assistance Program that pays full tuition for qualified individuals.

Career Opportunities

The Reserve Officer Training Corps produces the future officer leadership of the U.S. Army. Officers in the Army are managers, problem-solvers, key influencers and planners who lead other Soldiers in all situations. A list of all officer careers and specialties follows:

Army Judge Advocate General's Corps Attorney
Financial Manager
Air Defense Artillery Officer
Armor Officer
Cyber Operations Officer
Engineer Officer
Field Artillery Officer
Infantry Officer
Aviation Officer
Military Police Officer
Military Intelligence Officer
Civil Affairs Officer
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer
Psychological Operations Officer
Signal Officer
Veterinary Corps Officer
Transportation Officer
Nurse Corps Officer
Dental Corps Officer
Ordnance Officer
Chaplain
Medical Service Corps Officer
Quartermaster Officer

Check out the Army Officer Careers page for more info.

Military Science Minor Requirements

The Military Science minor consists of 27 credits that span all four years of any degree program. Anyone going through all four years of the ROTC program will automatically receive the minor, but there are ways for students not interested in commissioning to obtain it as well.

Check out the Military Science Minor Requirements for more information.