Leadership That Lasts a Lifetime
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is an elective curriculum you take alongside your regular required college classes. In addition to great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your education through scholarships.
ROTC gives you the tools, training, and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. We are located on campus across from Turpin Stadium (Go Demons!) in North Hall – Gov. James A. Noe Military Science Building.
You will have a normal NSU college student experience like everyone else on campus. Because Army ROTC is an elective, you can participate in the Basic Course (your freshman and sophomore years) without any obligation to join the Army.
If you choose to complete the Advanced Course (your junior and senior years), when you graduate you will be commissioned as an Officer in the Army. At that point, you will have a wide range of interest areas you can specialize in.
Who we’re looking for
Those who will succeed in the Army!
ROTC Cadets are students who excel and want something more out of the college experience. Generally, these students are scholars who keep their grades up, athletes who are physically strong, and leaders who have a great desire to learn and lead.
Nurse Program
If you’re considering an undergraduate Nursing degree, enrolling in Army ROTC can enhance your leadership skills and critical thinking abilities while providing financial support to help make your professional goals a reality. Being an Army Nurse provides you with benefits not found in the civilian world. As an Army Nurse and Officer, you will have the respect of your peers and coworkers, as well as opportunities to train and serve in a variety of specialties.
Your commitment
Cadets who receive an Army ROTC scholarship or enter the Army ROTC Advanced Course (junior and senior years) must agree to complete a period of service with the Army. You can serve full time in the Army or those who qualify may choose to serve part time as a member of the Army National Guard or Army Reserve while pursuing a civilian career.
START STRONG
ROTC provides an experience that you can’t get anywhere else. Contact the Department of Military Science at 318-357-6501 for more details.
The mission of the Army ROTC program is to “Commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army and motivate young people to be better Americans.”
Goals of the Army ROTC Program
- To attract, motivate and prepare selected students with the potential to serve as commissioned officers in the Regular Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard
- To provide an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of military art and science
- To develop leadership and managerial potential, a basic understanding of associated professional knowledge, a strong sense of personal integrity, honor and individual responsibility, and an appreciation of the requirement for national security
ROTC History
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) began in 1862 with the Morrill Act, which provided for military instruction in land grant colleges. By 1893, more than 100 colleges and universities offered instruction in Military Science.
The National Defense Act of 1916 provided for additional officers to be trained in colleges and universities under the now formalized ROTC program. By 1928, the ROTC program had enlarged to include units in 325 schools, enrolling 85,000 students, and commissioning 6,000 officers per year. This relatively inexpensive program paid rich dividends when the nation prepared for war in 1940-41. At the outbreak of WW II, more than 56,000 ROTC officers were called to duty. By the end of the war, 100,000 plus had served. By 1950, 219,000 students were enrolled in ROTC.
In 1964, the four-year senior program was strengthened with the addition of scholarship provisions and a two-year program was added. Congress additionally authorized the establishment of Junior ROTC programs at qualified public and private secondary schools in 1966.
On 2 May 1986, the US Army ROTC Cadet Command was established as a major subordinate command under Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Along with activation came a redesigned patch bearing the motto “Leadership Excellence.”
Cadet Command has continued refining its training methodologies and the leader development process in recent years. In 2014, all collective ROTC summer training was consolidated at Fort Knox. In a departure from the past, new hands-on training opportunities are now available to all cadets. Graduates must be prepared to operate in every corner of the globe, so cultural awareness training became a priority. Armed with these experiences, today’s ROTC cadets are well-prepared to assume the reins of small-unit leadership from the onset of their service to the nation.
Army ROTC is the largest officer-producing organization within the American military, with over 600,000 men and women having earned a commission through the program. There are over 20,000 ROTC cadets in 273 ROTC programs throughout the United States.
Demon Battalion History
During the 1950 fall semester, then Northwestern State College (NSC) President H. Lee Prather, with support of the Department of the Army, established the NSC Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). ROTC enrolled its first students in 1951, and by the end of the academic year, 220 men elected to participate in military training. The program produced its first commissioned officers later that year. In 1965, NSC President John S. Kyser signed an agreement with the Department of the Army stating the College would provide the Department of Military Science with the Armory, a secretary, and utilities.
In 2007, the Northwestern State Demon Regiment (NDR) was officially recognized by President Randall J. Webb. Comprised of NSU Army ROTC alumni, the NDR is organized similarly to an Army regiment. To illustrate the proud heritage of NSU’s ROTC program, each class is designated as a separate numbered battalion, beginning with the first battalion for the commissioning class of 1951, and continuing indefinitely.
Today, NSU’s Demon Battalion is a proud organization, providing Cadets with intense, high-quality instruction in the field of Military Science and Leadership while simultaneously offering a collaborative relationship and extra-curricular activities.
Leadership Excellence starts here!
The Northwestern Demon Regiment (NDR) is NSU ROTC’s alumni organization. Click on the left sidebar links to learn more about:
- NDR Organization and Goals
- Upcoming events: TAILGATING, Military Ball, etc.
- NDR Hall of Fame
- Helping NDR to support the ROTC program and corps of cadets
- Keeping your contact info current
