Valley Forge Military College offers a unique and challenging accelerated leadership path called the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program, or ECP. This two-year program results in your earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon your graduation as a sophomore from VFMC, well ahead of your peers in four-year programs. 

As a second lieutenant, you serve part-time in the Army National Guard or Reserves while you complete your degree program. Many programs allow you to complete a bachelor's degree tuition-free while receiving over $4,000 per year in part-time officer pay.

Those who desire to serve as a full-time officer in the Army after receiving a bachelor's degree enter active duty as a first lieutenant making almost $18,000 per year regular military compensation (RMC) more than those who pursued a commission in four years. For example, as of October 1, 2002, the RMC for a second lieutenant with under two years of service is $37,416. The RMC for a first lieutenant with over four years of service is $55,365. If you desire, instead, to remain a Reserve officer after college, you still have two years of leadership experience on your resume on top of a collegiate degree.

Basic ECP eligibility and entrance requirements (not all inclusive):

FORGE FACTS
All ECP cadets receive a substantial room and board incentive. Those who do well in high school (minimum 2.5 GPA; 920 SAT or 19 ACT score) can compete for a full-tuition, two-year ROTC Scholarship. In recent years, all qualified applicants have won the scholarship.

Instruction
Taught by Army officers and noncommissioned officers, the program and its experiences (including service as an army officer) provide you with knowledge, training and experience necessary to excel in military or civilian life. ROTC Basic Course / ROTC Advance Course.

To enter ECP, you must complete Basic Training in any branch of the military or attend ROTC Leader's Training Course (LTC). The LTC is a 29-day summer camp taught at Fort Knox, KY. It focuses on leadership and soldier skills. Students receive pay during this time, as well as room, board, uniform and travel expenses. Participating in the LTC incurs no commitment or military obligation. You will learn about the Army and decide whether you want to be an officer.

Benefits
Educational benefits are available for veterans and
ROTC cadets. For a printable chart of these options, click here (chart is in .pdf format). Benefits are provided to cadets who are eligible, who meet the standards to contract, maintain those standards, and complete all requirements necessary to receive a commission. Most standards are in addition to entry requirements and are summarized here.

Partnership Schools
Students at Cabrini College, Rosemont College and Eastern University are not eligible to participate in the Early Commissioning Program; however, they may participate in all four years of ROTC or earn their commission during their last two years of college. For SY 02-03 we have two, three, and four-year scholarship winners from these schools participating in Valley Forge Military College Army ROTC. NOTE: Females from our partnership schools and other affiliated local schools are permitted to participate in our ROTC program.

VFMA&C Senior ROTC Enrollment Officer ROTC@vfmac.edu (610) 687-9495