1301 S. State St.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Main Phone
(231) 591-5319
Mr. Randy Wright
Mr. Nick Dennison
SFC Bradley Plaska
Joining the ROTC class is a simple process. During registration, students will just have to find our class and enroll into it. There is no special process for joining our class and it is just like registering for a normal class. It is highly recommended that you contact our cadre before joining. This way, we can help ensure that ROTC would be a good fit for you.
If a student decides to contract with ROTC, they will have to meet a few requirements. They will have to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test, Army Height and Weight requirements, and a medical screening process. They will also need to compile all the forms and documentation outlined in the all required forms section. Cadre will assist the cadets all the way through the process.
There is no service commitment until students become contracted cadets. Ferris students are welcome to take the class as an elective or to take the minor without further commitment to the Active Army, National Guard, or Army Reserves. Students will be given the opportunity to become "contracted" as early as the spring semester of their sophomore year. The fall of their junior year, students will have to decide whether they are going to contract or commit to the minor.
Students who meet ROTC requirements will have the opportunity to contract. At the end of their sophomore or early junior year, students can make the decision to become a contracted cadet. This will come with a service obligation in one of the Army components (active duty, Army reserve, or national guard). For active duty, this will typically look like 4 years along with another 4 years of inactive reserve. For the reserve components, it is typically 6 years with 2 years of inactive reserve.
While they are in school, they will become obligated to stay in good standing with ROTC. This means that they will need to attend one ROTC class a week, lab every week, and three days of PT a week. We also require that ROTC cadets complete 10 hours of community service a semester. For more information, go to our cadet life page, fill out the ask a cadet survey, or contact one of our cadre. Contracted cadets will receive $600 a semester for books and $420 a month for living expenses. Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) cadets will also be paid to attend drill each month and be paid as an E-5 (Sergeant) which will average $300+ for a drill weekend.
Students do not need prior military experience to join ROTC. Students who are not in the program in their first or second years, they will be able to attend ROTC Basic Camp or Army Basic Combat Training in order to make up the training they missed. Prior military experience and more military training will benefit the cadet, but those without it will also be successful.
Ferris ROTC is committed to helping students graduate on time in any degree field. Military Science students are required to attend one class, one morning of physical training(PT), and one lab per week. If students have a conflicting class, we will work to arrange time that the student can either be taught one-on-one or in a make-up class. A number of Ferris varsity athletes have been able to graduate from the ROTC program while competing and finishing their degrees.
Contracted cadets must attend class, lab, field training exercises, and three days of PT per week. If there is a class conflict, our cadre will ensure that the student is excused ahead of time.
Yes. Even without contracting or committing to the minor in Military Leadership, students will improve a number of skills. We will encourage you to improve your physical fitness and to stay in good academic standing. Students in Military Science will learn the basics of leadership and management that are vital in virtually all organizations or future professions. Lastly, you will be surrounded by a group of students that are all committed to supporting and encouraging one another.
If you have ever thought about joining the military, ROTC affords you the opportunity to see what is like without commitment to any military branch or Army component.