You can enroll in Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC through North Central College and work towards a college education while receiving outstanding leadership training and preparation for a career as an officer in the U.S. Military. Tuition assistance and stipends are available for qualified applicants. North Central students are eligible to participate in the U.S. Army ROTC Rolling Thunder Battalion or the U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment 195 leading to a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. This is the same rank as graduates of military academies. First-year students are welcome to participate in ROTC without committing to the post-graduation service requirement.
In addition to having the full undergraduate experience at North Central, cadets take one ROTC course per semester at either Wheaton College (Army ROTC) or the University of Chicago (Air Force ROTC). Twenty credit hours of military science (Army ROTC) or 14 credit hours of aerospace studies (Air Force ROTC) course work is accepted in transfer credit toward your North Central degree.
ROTC Room & Board Grant
North Central ROTC cadets receiving the Army ROTC full-tuition scholarship or Air Force ROTC Type 1 or McGee Leadership Award scholarships through the Department of Defense may be eligible for a North Central ROTC Room & Board Grant of up to $10,000/year.
U.S. Army ROTC— The Rolling Thunder Battalion
The purpose of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is to enable college students to pursue a course of study which will qualify them, upon graduation, for appointment as officers in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve or National Guard. Army ROTC is focused on leadership development, both in the classroom and field environments. Army ROTC cadets at North Central participate in the Rolling Thunder Battalion (located seven miles from our campus at Wheaton College) with leadership lab on Thursdays from 3:30 - 6 p.m. and military science courses on Thursday evenings. Cadets also participate in physical training on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday mornings 6 - 7:15 a.m.
U.S. Air Force ROTC— Detachment 195
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is a leadership development program that prepares college students to become officers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Through hands-on training, academic coursework, and physical fitness, cadets develop the skills necessary to lead and commission as officers upon graduation.
The North Central College AFROTC program is hosted by Detachment 195 at the University of Chicago. Learn more about the program and take your first step as a North Central student toward a future of service and leadership by visiting the detachment’s website.
ROTC Cadet Testimonials
Read firsthand about the experience of being a ROTC cadet at North Central College.
To learn more about the ROTC program at North Central College contact: Julie Carballo, Assistant Dean for First-Generation, Transfer & Veteran Initiatives 630-637-5155 | ROTC@noctrl.edu
