The Reserved Officers’ Training Corps, more popularly known as ROTC, is a college-based, officer-commissioning program. Colleges and universities normally include ROTC as part of the curriculum. However, educational institutions recently turned the ROTC program into an elective course that focuses on developing leadership skills, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.

Students in colleges and universities have the option to undergo training for the Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, and Naval ROTC programs, which commission officers for the different branches of the military. With the Army being the largest branch of the military, many students choose the Army ROTC training, which comprises the biggest branch of the whole ROTC program. Go Army claims that the Army ROTC is one of the best leadership courses available in the country.

A college student who wants to pursue a military career should enroll into Army ROTC. Upon graduation from, the graduate earns the rank of a Second Lieutenant, which commissions him or her into the Active Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard. Initial training in an ROTC course provide the necessary basic leadership skills to lead and survive the military.

After completing the Officer Branch training course and their first assignment, Army Officers have the option to pursue additional specialized training or to look for postgraduate educational opportunities. Graduates usually receive assignments in advanced leadership positions and staff positions in upper management.

The United States Army, as a public service, provides public access to military information through the Cadet Command Headquarters Website. The site provides information on various topics, including ROTC, to those who have just joined or who are planning to join the military. The ROTC program produces approximately 60 percent of the second lieutenants who join the Active Armed Forces, the Army National Guard, and the US Army Reserve. Of the Army General Officers currently on active duty, more than 40 percent have been commissioned through the ROTC.

For all things relating to US military history, the US Army Center of Military History is a great source of information. The CMH provides historical support, contributing essential background information. The CMH is responsible for the appropriate use of history throughout the United States Army.

Traditionally, the mission of the CMH only involved recording the official history of the Army both in war and during peacetime, while advising the Army Staff on historical matters. However, over the years, it has continuously expanded its role in vital areas of military history education, the management of the Army’s museum system, and even the introduction of data-retrieval systems.

The Center’s affiliation with Army schools ensures that the study of history is made much more significant in the training of officers and non-commissioned officers. Additionally, the center supports the use of history as a means to foster unit pride to give today’s soldiers a better understanding of the US Army’s glorious past. The center is not only an integral part of military education but also of other services, government agencies, and the public itself by providing a better awareness of history that goes well beyond publications alone.

For a look at military history from a global point of view, you can go and visit About.com’s page on military history. They cover different topics of military history, divided into topics such as conflicts and battles, naval warfare, aviation, arms and equipment, biographies, soldiers and sailors, Home Front (what the troops at home are up to during war times), strategy and tactics, and current conflicts.

Some of About.com’s Must Read topics include the War on Vietnam: the 10,000-Day War, World War II: The Globe Afire, The Civil War: A Nation Divided, an American Revolution Overview, and Military History Timelines. Some of the most popular topics on the site include Causes of the Civil War, World War II 101, Vietnam Origins, and World War II Europe Causes.

Going to college is tough without sufficient financial support. Teens who graduate from high school with good scholastic standing, but with little to no money for college, often end up working in low paying jobs. A good college plan could have given them better work opportunities or a chance to build a career.

High school students who aim to have a shot at higher education can sign up for an ROTC scholarship that will pay for their college tuition. ROTC scholarships are part of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program, which is a college-based program that commissions officers from their top graduates. An ROTC scholarship can pave the way for a college degree while helping young people develop the most important skills they need to succeed in life.

ROTC scholarship programs are offered for different branches of the military, including the medical corps. Students are called cadets, and they receive physical as well as academic training in areas of leadership, survival and defense.

The ROTC course is integrated into normal college courses. The difference is that the courses are offered only in certified military colleges. However, the list of ROTC schools is long and almost each state has at least one school that offers an ROTC scholarship.

Cadets who qualify for an ROTC scholarship have several options based on the time it takes to finish their degree. There are scholarships that are fit for two, three or four years. They pay for room and board in place of a full tuition if the student qualifies. Aside from that, additional allowances for books and fees are provided.

After graduation, ROTC cadets who were at the top of their class were commissioned as officers of the branch of military they choose. They are obliged to serve in the Army, the Navy or the Air Force for eight years of service. After that, they have a choice to continue serving their country or to become a civilian while remaining an active reserve for the military.

People normally see the military as a very strict, disciplined and meticulous organization. No other institution is more particular with structure and chain of command than the military. Conservatively run companies and other paramilitary organizations pattern their hierarchy and structure to that of the military in hopes of mimicking the rigid discipline and unquestionable authority the military officers wield over their personnel.

When visualized, the military structure similarly follows the human body composed of cells that form tissues, tissues that form organs and organs that form systems. In the case of the military, it is composed of individuals forming sub-units and formations.

The Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au) shows the basic structure of the Army. There are four sub-units namely, the section, platoon, company and battalion. The section is made up of about 9-16 members and headed by the Corporal or Sergeant. Three sections compose the platoon, which the Lieutenant leads. Three or four platoons make up the Company, which the Captain or Major leads. Four companies make up the battalion headed by the Lieutenant Colonel.

There are also four formations: the brigade, division, corps and army. Three to four battalions make up the brigade, which the Brigadier (General) leads. Consequently, three brigades make up the Division, which the Major General leads. Two or more divisions compose the Corps, which the Lieutenant General leads. Lastly, two or more Corps makes the Army, headed by the General.

The military also has different divisions made for specific tasks. This would generally include the Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Health Services.

Army structure varies for each country and time. One of the most intriguing military organizations is that of the Germans during the Second World War. HyperWar, A Hypertext History of the Second World War (http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar), provides a detailed description of the military structures and tactics of participating nations during World War II including Germany.

The head of the U.S. Military Academy thinks it’s time to replace the “men” and “sons” in West Point’s two most beloved songs with more gender-neutral lyrics.

Lt. Gen. Franklin “Buster” Hagenbeck, superintendent of the nation’s oldest military academy, told a congressional oversight committee Wednesday that with more than 3,000 women graduating from West Point since 1976, the change is long overdue.

During a presentation Wednesday to the academy’s Board of Visitors meeting in Washington, Hagenbeck said he wants to change the words to the military academy’s alma mater and its companion piece, “The Corps.” Both songs date back about a century.

In “The Corps,” the proposals include changing “The men” to “The ranks,” and “We sons” to “The Corps.”

The superintendent said the changes aren’t being pushed by female cadets, but it’s a commonsense move considering the role women play in today’s military.

“When are they going to be recognized for what they’re doing?” he said.

Hagenbeck said he got the idea for the revision two years ago at a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of women being admitted to West Point. He listened as the female alums sang lyrics from the songs that included, “We sons of today, we salute you.”

Hagenbeck has spent the last few months discussing the possible changes with alumni, Army brass and cadets. He said he’ll make the final decision, possibly after graduation ceremonies on May 31 and before the Class of 2012 arrives this summer.

The academy’s Board of Visitors, made up of presidential appointees and members of Congress, voted unanimously to back whatever decision he makes. Three New York congressman — John McHugh, Maurice Hinchey and John Hall — are board members.