January 2004

ROTC ranked 9th in nation
Students in The University of Montana’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) have earned top status among programs at American colleges.

The UM program was ranked ninth out of the 271 ROTC programs in the nation.

“That’s the best The University of Montana has ever done,” said Lt. Col. Heather Ierardi, chair of UM’s Department of Military Science. “This speaks to the quality of our students and the success of our training program.”

Ierardi said the highest UM ever placed in the past was 10th in 1998. The annual ranking of ROTC programs is conducted by Cadet Command at Ft. Monroe, Va., and rankings are based on cadet performance and how well each school meets its mission.

UM’s mission last year was to commission 15 lieutenants out of its program into the active military. Ierardi said the Missoula campus exceeded its goal, commissioning 21 new officers.

Ierardi said the ratings also are based on student performance compared to counterparts at other colleges in the nation. Students are judged on academics and their performances at National Advanced Leadership Camp, which they attend during the summer.

Just getting the recognition is good for the UM program, Ierardi said. It also helps in recruiting prospective students. “We hope to use our high national ranking to continue to recruit the highest quality students to The University of Montana,” Ierardi said.

UM has 75 students enrolled in its ROTC program. In exchange for financial aid with college, ROTC students commit to serve a term in the U.S. Army after they graduate.

For information, contact:
Rita.Munzenrider@mso.umt.edu
University Relations
(406) 243-2522

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