Alcorn State University’s (ASU) Army Reserve Officer’s Training Course (ROTC) hosted a Veteran’s Day Gaming Challenge event on November 10th on the Campus Green from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Many students stopped by to participate in the Madden and Call of Duty gaming challenges. There were also Army All-terrain vehicles on display and several Army veterans from Fort Knox, Kentucky came to provide information on the Army and the importance of veterans. Lamont Ford, a MSIII cadet, stated, “This recruiting event is a great way to get more people to join the ROTC and the Army. It exposes them to a part of the Army that civilians don’t get to see.”
The Army ROTC is one of the top sources for scholarships in the United States. As a Freshman or Sophomore at ASU, one can enroll in ROTC classes as an elective with no special requirements. Alcorn’s Army ROTC allows students to have practical experiences while receiving financial assistance for college. After cadets receive their degrees, they will be commissioned into the United States Army as a part-time officer in the National Guard, Army Reserve, or as a full-time officer on active duty. Marshawn Grady, a Senior Biology Pre-Med major, discussed his experience with Alcorn’s ROTC by stating, “It’s helped me with time management and personal skills. I’ve had a lot of opportunities and doors opened for me through this program.”
In the past, 13 ROTC students from Alcorn have received scholarships totaling $436,800. To qualify for a scholarship, one must be a citizen of the United States, be between the ages of 17 and 26, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or more, be physically fit and medically qualified, and agree to accept an officer’s commission and serve in the Army. Students may apply their scholarships to room and board (or tuition), books, or a stipend. When students apply for ROTC scholarships, they must be considered a full time student with 2 to 3 years left until they graduate.
For more information, contact Greg Trotnic, Army ROTC Recruiter, at (601) 877-6443 or gtrotnic@alcorn.edu.