Chair

LTC James Plutt
(859) 622-1207
Weaver 201

Military Science and Leadership Faculty and Staff

PMS Lieutenant Colonel James Plutt, Administrative Coordinator Claire Jennings, MAJ Colin Corrigan, MSG Clovis Yates, CPT Corey Blankenship, SFC Cody Taylor, Scholarship and Enrollment Specialist Eric Sheaks, HR Specialist Rob Roane and Supply Tech TBA.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

Earning a degree does not necessarily guarantee employment, however, taking Army ROTC will. The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a premier leadership-training program that prepares you to be a leader in any organization or business. ROTC enhances any Bachelor's or Master's Degree program by improving leadership skills, time management skills, goal setting, decision making, team building, mentorship, and achieving success. The skills you develop in ROTC will give you an advantage over your job-seeking peer. After successful completion of the Army ROTC program, you will have a full-time job waiting for you as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army or part-time in the Army Reserve or National Guard.

Career Opportunities

Students who successfully graduate from EKU’s Army ROTC program commission as Second Lieutenants and serve with other dedicated young men and women in our nation’s defense. As new Lieutenants, officers serve in a variety of branches (career paths), such as Aviation, Armor, Infantry, Transportation, Military Police, Engineers, and Army Nurses, to name a few, and can travel worldwide. Starting salary for an active duty Lieutenant is over $55,000, plus full individual and family medical coverage and 30 days paid vacation annually. For those who desire only a part-time commitment, the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty option gives students assurance they will be able to serve their country from home, adding stability to their chosen civilian career in the National Guard or Reserves.

Leadership Development

EKU’s Department of Military Science and Leadership has a proud reputation dating back to 1936. The program has commissioned over 3,000 officers. The program’s unique approach to leadership development provides each student various opportunities to refine their own leadership skills and receive individualized performance feedback. The Training is designed around a hands-on, experiential learning curriculum. ROTC students will develop the skills necessary to lead others, but also build confidence by learning how to rappel, negotiate EKU’s Challenge Course, learn fundamentals of marksmanship by firing the M-16 rifle and M-4 Carbine, complete water survival training, and other adventure-type activities. Students also learn to live the seven Army Values – Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage by demonstrating these values as they participate in the Cadet Battalion, Color Guard, Ranger Company, and Raider Team.

Scholarships and Simultaneous Membership

Eligible students may compete for a variety of Army ROTC Scholarships available on-campus and through the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. These fully funded scholarships pay your choice of 100% tuition or $12,000 Room & Board with a $1,200 annual book allowance and a monthly tax-free living allowance of $420. Four-year ROTC scholarship recipients and qualified freshmen receive additional campus housing payments up to $3,058. Members of the National Guard or Army Reserves who join ROTC under the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) may also receive a monthly SMP Kicker of $350 in addition to the tax-free $420 ROTC living allowance, Montgomery GI Bill^® benefits, and E-5 drill pay.  National Guard members get 100% in-state tuition.

Eligibility and Obligations

Students may enroll in any of the MSL 100-200 level courses without any obligation. Students who desire to seek a commission must sign a contract before entering the Advanced Leadership Course (MSL 300-400 courses); they must also meet certain age, physical fitness, medical, citizenship, security clearance, and military experience requirements. Military experience can be satisfied in a variety of methods (check with the ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Officer at (859) 622-1215 for details). Students contracting into the Advanced Leadership Course will incur a military service obligation upon graduation.

Scholar-Athlete-Leader

Becoming an Army Officer doesn’t just happen; it requires a level of commitment, determination, and selflessness that few civilian careers will ever demand. Army Officers are intellectually curious, mentally adroit, physically robust, and possess a willingness and passion to take charge and make the right things happen. If you are a Scholar-Athlete-Leader who wants to join the world’s most sophisticated Army, then join EKU ROTC—“Where Leadership Excellence Begins.”

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Sullivan
Commander, AFROTC Detachment 290 and Professor of Aerospace Studies
University of Kentucky (Host School)
859-257-7115

Air Force Faculty

Major Jeremy C. Morris, Operations Officer; Captain Nichole Nicholson, Recruiting Officer; Captain Austin Downs, Operations Flight Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies; Master Sergeant Tico Jones, NCOIC, Personnel; Staff Sergeant Markie Campbell, NCOIC Administration; Mr. Tory Pendleton, Department Manager and University Liaison

Air Force ROTC Scholarships

The types of financial assistance available through Air Force ROTC are briefly described below. For further details on eligibility and requirements, contact the

Department of Aerospace Studies
203 Barker Hall
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY, 40506-0028
(859) 257-7115

or visit https://afrotc.as.uky.edu/ for more information. Additional information is also listed in this Bulletin under Aerospace Studies.

High School Scholarship Program (HSSP)

Scholarships are available to those qualified and selected students who enroll in the Air Force ROTC program. These scholarships cover tuition and laboratory fees, provide an allowance for books, and provide a graduated nontaxable subsistence allowance ranging from $300 to $500 per month. Qualified high school students can apply for four-year Air Force ROTC scholarships. Applicants for four-year scholarships are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: a composite score on the ACT, or a composite score on the SAT; the applicant’s high school academic record; class ranking; extracurricular and athletic activities; personal interview; and ability to qualify on an Air Force medical examination. High school students who meet the basic eligibility requirements for a four-year scholarship must submit an application anytime between June 1 through December 1 of the year prior to enrollment in the program (usually the spring of their junior year into the fall of their senior year).

All selections for four-year scholarships are made at Air Force ROTC headquarters. Students meet regularly scheduled boards from September to February (which is dependent upon when they officially apply). High school students should apply online at: www.afrotc.com. For additional information, contact the

Air Force ROTC Detachment
203 Barker Hall
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0028
or by phone at (859) 257-7115.

In College Scholarship Program (ICSP)

Scholarships are awarded to students enrolled as cadets currently in the Air Force ROTC program on a competitive basis. Depending on the particular scholarship program, selection may be made on campus by the Air Force ROTC detachment commander or at Air Force ROTC headquarters. Scholarships may be awarded for up to three and a half years of study. Students interested in these scholarships should call (859) 257-7115 for the latest information. (Freshman students are not eligible for an ICSP until they have completed one full-time semester of college education.  Freshman ICSP scholarships are awarded during the spring semester of the cadet's freshman year but do not go into effect until the fall semester of the cadet's sophomore year.  The same is the case for the sophomore cadets.  Additionally, sophomore cadets who compete for and receive a Field Training allocation will be automatically awarded the Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA) beginning the fall semester of their junior year.

Furthermore, the HQ AFROTC ICSP is an in-college scholarship program available to students pursuing a degree in critical areas needed by the Air Force. These scholarships can be up to three and a half years. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis for those who qualify. ICSP scholarships have historically been awarded to cadets pursuing academic majors in electrical and computer engineering, nursing, and certain foreign language studies. Selections for this particular in-college scholarship program are made at Air Force ROTC headquarters. Critical areas are updated every year and are subject to change without notice. For current information, call (859) 257-7115.

Receipt of any of the aforementioned scholarships requires the cadet to contract with the Air Force and complete the ROTC program.

Information is current as of June 2023 and is subject to change.

Minor

Non-Degree

Courses

Aerospace Studies

Military Science and Leadership