ROTC: Reserve Officers' Training Corps

Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

Fordham University hosts the Yankee Battalion of the Army's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), which exists for:

  • College and university students in New York City and the Hudson Valley, who

  • Belong to a diverse service-oriented team, and who

  • Grow as organizational leaders.

Fordham's military program began in the late 1840s, when New York State issued 12 muskets to students to defend the school against xenophobic nativist mobs. In 1885, Major General James R. O'Beirne, a Fordham graduate who led the capture of Abraham Lincoln's assassin, orchestrated a formal partnership between Fordham and the US Army. In 1926, this partnership expanded into today's ROTC unit, and by World War II, Fordham produced more officers for the Army than West Point. 

After Vietnam and 9/11, Fordham and the Army expanded ROTC opportunities for schools across New York City and the Hudson Valley. Today, our distinguished military alumni include general officers like Jack Keane, who led the Army through 9/11, six Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War to Vietnam, and tens of thousands who have served their country by leading Soldiers.

Fordham's Department of Military Science is an interdisciplinary academic department with oversight from the Fordham College at Rose Hill. We teach classes at several locations across New York City and the Hudson Valley, including students from 32 partnered universities and colleges.

Students learn through structured study in the field of military science, anchored by classroom instruction expanded through experiential learning and practical exercises, including physical fitness and outdoor adventure-type activities. 

Students who successfully develop and demonstrate leadership talents can serve after graduation as leaders and officers in the active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

Students enrolled in ROTC classes can compete for paid-contracts and scholarships, including generous institutional incentives. Military science course credit may fulfill specific college or elective requirements. Courses are taken by students at no cost.

To learn more about the Army ROTC program, including eligibility requirements and scholarship opportunities, please:

For more Army ROTC information, please refer to the appropriate chapter of this bulletin. 

Naval Science

Fordham University is linked by a formal written agreement with SUNY Maritime College and Maritime's NROTC unit. This permits Fordham students to enroll in the NROTC program at Maritime and be commissioned as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps on receiving their bachelors' degrees.

To receive a commission, a midshipman must complete all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accordance with Fordham University rules and regulations. He or she also must complete certain courses specified by the Navy. The Navy is interested in producing top-quality officers, so midshipmen are expected to maintain above-average grades. NROTC midshipmen lead basically the same campus life as other Fordham undergraduates.

Those interested in obtaining more information about the four-year and two-year Navy ROTC scholarship and college programs should visit the Navy ROTC website or write to:

Professor of Naval Science
NROTC Unit
SUNY Maritime College
Fort Schuyler
Bronx, NY 10465-4198

NROTC@sunymaritime.edu

For more Navy ROTC information, please refer to the appropriate chapter of this bulletin. 

Aerospace Studies

Fordham University is linked by formal written agreement with Manhattan College's AFROTC unit. This permits Fordham students to enroll in the AFROTC program at Manhattan College and be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force upon receiving their bachelor's degrees.

To receive a commission, a cadet must complete all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accordance with Fordham University rules and regulations. He or she must also complete certain courses specified by the Air Force. The Air Force is interested in producing top quality officers, so Cadets are expected to maintain above-average grades. Scholarship cadets must meet additional grade point requirements. Additionally, Cadets must earn at least a passing score on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test; pass physical fitness tests each semester; pass a physical exam; and successfully compete for and complete field training.

Those interested in obtaining more information about the four-year and two-year Air Force ROTC Scholarship and College Programs should contact the Unit Admissions Officer. Please call 718-862-7201, visit the AFROTC detachment website, or write to

AFROTC Detachment 560
Manhattan College
Leo Engineering Building, Room 246
3825 Corlear Avenue
Riverdale, NY 10463

For more Air Force ROTC information, please refer to the appropriate chapter of this bulletin.