News

"I always wanted to do something Army related, just as my Dad did, but I also wanted to get my degree in mechanical engineering. That's when I saw my cousin commission out of another college where she was able to do just that. From there I looked to see if SIUE had ROTC, and the rest is history," shared Jacob McChristian, a senior studying mechanical engineering.

"For me, once I'm graduated, I hope to be able to serve in the Active Duty Army as an officer. Without the ROTC program, this would never have happened," he added.

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is encouraging more students to take advantage of the State Tuition Waiver. The program is an elective curriculum taken alongside the required college classes to help freshmen and sophomores enrolled in military sciences with the tools, training and experiences that will help students succeed in any competitive environment along with great leadership training. 

Staff Sergeant Gavin Hoene, contracted with the Illinois National Guard, is the on-campus recruiter for the Army National Guard and works alongside the University’s Department of Military Science to raise awareness of both the ROTC program and the waiver.  

"The tuition waiver is open to any freshman or sophomore enrolled in a military science course, regardless of whether the student intends to continue with ROTC beyond that point," Hoene said. "The program allocates 40 waivers per year and this year 25 incoming freshmen have already signed up."

"We get 40 [students] a year, and like this year right now, I think we have 25 freshmen signed up to start this year," Hoene said. "So, there's plenty more to get a hold of."

Hoene described the waiver as an incentive for students to try the program without pressure. The actual military commitment does not begin until a student's junior year.

One specific option available to ROTC cadets is the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Offered through the Army National Guard, the program provides a four-year tuition waiver. SMP cadets who decide to attend Basic Training or have already completed it may also be eligible for the GI Bill. However, attending Basic Training is not required to take the class or to complete all four years of ROTC, if they choose to do so in addition to GI Bill benefits.

Courses on military science are led by the professor of military science and three other instructors who work for Cadet Command to promote ROTC programming and the tuition waiver. Students enrolled as freshmen take Military Science I (MSC 101), followed by Military Science II as sophomores. Classes meet on Tuesdays, with labs on Thursdays, and physical training is held throughout the week in the mornings.

"Freshman, sophomore years, there's no commitment. It’s just like any other class and registrations are similar to other classes for any other department," Hoene said.

Cadet Mary Lyon, a sophomore studying psychology, shared her experience on joining the Army ROTC.

"I cannot recommend this program enough. It has given me opportunities to socialize, work out, learn and gain valuable knowledge and skills that I will need in my future career as a JAG officer," Lyon said. "I have also developed important life skills including networking, event planning, communication in different settings, and the importance of being on time in the right place, wearing the right uniform and having the right attitude."

The commitment structure changes once students reach Military Science III (MSC 303) in their junior year. At that point, cadets must decide whether to sign a contract with the military to complete their junior and senior years in the program. Cadets who do commit gain access to a range of scholarship options, including both federal and state awards.

Cadet John Bitticks, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, went on to highlight how ROTC gave him a way to serve without pausing his academic plans.

"SIUE Army ROTC offered the best way to serve in the U.S. Army without needing to put a pause on my academic goals," Bitticks said. "Between the financial benefits and hands-on experience, I get to focus on my college education while earning a commission in the U.S. military."

Students interested in learning more about the program, the Illinois State Tuition Waiver or available scholarship options can contact SSG Gavin Hoene at gahoene@siue.edu or explore SIUE’s Army ROTC website.

PHOTO: SIUE Army ROTC Cadets during training exercise