The University of South Dakota

Our Training Will Set You Apart

Military Science and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at The U isn't just another course of study. It's leadership training that will set you apart in any profession you choose.

Military Science students participate in the program while completing degrees in their chosen fields. In some degree platforms, Military Science courses can be used to fulfill social science or elective credit requirements. Any student, freshman to graduate students, from any major, with at least four semesters of school remaining is eligible to apply.

Our cadets have earned top honors:

• "Best Small School" and 3rd out of 42 schools overall in 3rd Brigade (2009-2010)
• Top 5% in the nation for LDAC Performances,1 of 12 schools with 100% first time "Go's" (2008-09)
• #2 Leadership Development and Assessment Course, (LDAC) Performances in the Nation (2007-08)
• "Best Small School" in 11th Brigade, Top 15% of 272 schools in the Nation (2006-07)
• Since 2006, 33% of our cadets have earned the highest rating, "Excellent," at LDAC

Experiences

What are the typical training experiences of the cadets in the USD ROTC Department? We offer a multitude of opportunities beyond the required classroom instruction and it is these "extra" opportunities that most cadets enjoy the most.

Here are just some of the training opportunities that are available:

• training at the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont
• problem-solving in the Leader's Reaction Course
• rappelling in Palisades State Park
• Bataan Memorial Death March in Las Cruces, NM
• presenting the colors as part of the USD ROTC Color Guard
• taking the combat water survival test
• competing with the Ranger Challenge Team
• organizing and running in the ROTC 10K run
• applying tactics learned at a field training exercise
• in 2010, two cadets participated in the Study Abroad program