How to Get a Job as an ROTC Instructor

Army ROTC instructors must have military experience and educational credentials in order to teach.

The U.S. Army offers leadership training programs in colleges and universities for students interested in becoming commissioned Army officers after graduation. The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) courses are taught by Senior Military Science Instructors (SMSI) and Military Science Instructors (MSI). The instructors are Army retired, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Individual Ready Reserve officers and noncommissioned officers. Besides having military experience, individuals interested in becoming Army ROTC instructors must meet other requirements.

Instructions

1. Review the minimum educational and military experience requirements before applying for a position. SMSI applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree and at least four years of active or reserve military experience. MSI applicants must have an associate's degree and at least 10 years of military experience in the Army. Applicants for both positions must have retired or been honorably discharged within the last five years. They also must have and wear their own Army uniform.

2. Obtain an application from COMTek. COMTek is a government contractor that hires Army ROTC instructors. An application for the instructor positions can be downloaded from the Army's website.

3. Pass the Army's physical fitness tests. Applicants must meet the Army's standards for pushups, situps and a 2-mile run. They must also meet the Army's body-fat and weight standards.

4. Pass a national and local background check. The background checks are required by the federal government before granting security clearances to applicants under consideration for the instructor positions.

References

• Go Army ROTC: What is the ROTC Functional Support Program?
• Go Army: Post-ROTC Careers
• APFT Standards: 2011 Army (APFT) Standards