The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps was established at Drexel in 1918 and remains an integral part of the University. Students in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program complete their academic and military studies concurrently, and upon graduation will be commissioned as lieutenants in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

While pursuing an academic major, ROTC Cadets attend military sciences classes and a leadership lab on the Drexel University campus. Cadets participate in color guard, foot marches and physical readiness training, and conduct field training exercises at Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey or Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

Cross-Enrollment Programs

Through partnerships with local universities, Drexel University students are also eligible to participate in the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps on neighboring campuses.

• Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC): Drexel students are eligible to participate through a cross-enrollment agreement with the University of Pennsylvania for commission into the Navy or Marine Corps. All naval science courses are held on Penn’s campus.
• Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC): Drexel students are eligible to participate through a cross-enrollment agreement with St. Joseph's University for commission into the Air Force. All aerospace studies courses will be held on the St. Joseph's campus.

Military Science Courses

As ROTC Cadets, students are required to complete courses in military science, as well as military history courses in the Department of History. Army ROTC courses in military science are open to all students, and enrollment alone does not carry a military obligation. The courses are taught by both Army and civilian faculty members.

The Military Science program includes a basic and advanced course series, with the basic course series aligning with the students’ first two years of college. To be admitted to the advanced course, a student must have credit for the two-year basic course or apply to bypass the basic course with relevant experience such as participating in Basic Camp the summer before junior year at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  

Task Force Dragon

Drexel University serves as the headquarters of Task Force Dragon, Philadelphia’s Army ROTC consortium of six area institutions of higher education. Task Force Dragon was formed in 1997 when the University of Pennsylvania’s Army ROTC program combined with Drexel’s Army ROTC program, and has since expanded to include LaSalle University, Saint Joseph’s University, University of the Sciences and Jefferson University.

Visit the Task Force Dragon Website

Admission and Scholarships

For more information about Army ROTC at Drexel, please contact ROTC@drexel.edu or call 267.359.6300 to speak to the Director of Recruiting.