What is an ROTC officer?

ROTC officers are individuals who have completed a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, typically during their college education, and have been commissioned as officers in a branch of the United States Armed Forces. The ROTC program provides military training and leadership development alongside academic coursework. Upon graduation, participants are commissioned as second lieutenants (or equivalent) and serve in the Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserve forces. ROTC officers are responsible for leading enlisted personnel and managing various military operations, depending on their branch and specialty.