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Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Programs

Air Force, Army and Naval ROTC

Our faculty and staff are committed to maintaining the most elite ROTC programs to qualify students for commission in the United States Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.  The legacy of success among Trojan ROTC graduates is unparalleled, with more than 200 notable USC ROTC alumni making the ranks of general officer or senior civilian in the Department of Defense. Download the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) brochure.

Scholarships are available through the Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC and Naval ROTC.

Price ROTC Student Success Fund

Support students’ personal and professional development by donating to the Price ROTC Student Success Fund. Invest in our military leaders of tomorrow! The USC ROTC student success fund supports experiential activities and programs geared towards giving USC students hands-on experiences and developing them professionally.

Get Involved

We are encouraging USC ROTC alumni to stay connected with fellow ROTC alumni and current students.

ROTC at USC Price

The Price School is proud to have USC’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program as part of our School’s exceptional academic offerings. USC’s unbroken partnership with the U.S. Military began in 1914 when USC hosted a training school for U.S. Army officers.  USC has hosted Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs since 1940s with unwavering support and a commitment to producing the next generation of leaders. 

Highly decorated military and civilian leaders – including four-star generals, astronauts, Medal of Honor recipients, and officials in the highest levels of government service – chose to attend USC before or after their military service. USC ranks #4 among private research universities in Department of Defense-sponsored research with over $200M in active research grants. USC is 1 of 60 universities nationwide to house all 3 (Air ForceArmy, and Navy) ROTC programs on campus. The legacy of success among Trojan ROTC graduates is unparalleled, with more than 200 notable USC ROTC alumni making the ranks of a flag officer or senior civilian in the Department of Defense.

Since 1984, the ROTC programs have been a part of the Price School’s academic units. The programs are directed and managed by Professor Frank V. Zerunyan, a Price School faculty member who also serves as a University liaison to the USC ROTC program. Each unit is led by an outstanding commanding officer in Lt. Col. Mark R. Burley, U.S. Air Force, LTC Marvin Eric Polk III , U.S. Army, and Col. Gilbert Juarez, U.S. Marines. With their cadre of officers and enlisted staff, the commanding officers advance the military science curriculum for approximately 300 ROTC students at USC. Our faculty and staff are committed to maintaining the most elite ROTC programs to qualify students for commission in the United States Air Force, Army, and Naval Reserves.

Frank Zerunyan headshot

“It is my distinct honor to oversee this elite ROTC Program at the University of Southern California and as part of the academic units of our distinguished Sol Price School of Public Policy. Our commitment to ROTC is unwavering. We are determined to train and commission officers who will continue to serve their country at the highest levels with great distinction.”

Frank V. Zerunyan,
Professor of the Practice of Governance
Director, Executive Education
Director, and University Liaison to ROTC and Nautical Science Programs

Lt. Col. Mark R. Burley
Professor of the Practice of Aerospace Studies
Department Head, Aerospace Studies
Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 060

Col. Gilbert D. Juarez
Professor of the Practice of Naval Science
Department Head, Naval Science
Commander, Navy ROTC Trojan Battalion

Ltc. Polk headshot

LTC Marvin Eric Polk III 
Professor of the Practice of Military Science
Department Head, Military Science
Commander, Army ROTC Trojan Battalion

“There is perhaps no higher calling than public service, and public service in defense of our nation is noblest of all. The Price School is proud to be a home to this program.”

Dana Goldman
Dean of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Chair Leonard D. Schaeffer Director’s Chair
Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics
Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, Pharmacy, and Economics

AFROT cadets holding up the Fight On sign

“ROTC has enabled me to operate in a driven environment, surrounded by people who are united by a common goal. I leave every training with a sense of accomplishment — with real-life applications for the skills I have acquired.”

C/3C Sophia Cancio
Air Force ROTC Cadet

Message from the Director

Frank V. Zerunyan, Professor of the Practice of Governance and University Liaison to ROTC

ROTC stories

RISK: A User’s Guide

Watch Professor Zeryunan talk with General Stanley McChrystal about a battle-tested system for detecting and responding to risk, and how to improve our resistance and build a strong defense against what we know—and what we don’t.

Nautical Science Program

The Nautical Science Program at the University of Southern California (USC) offers an academic and experiential approach to navigation and seafaring onboard sailing ships. Classes and at-sea voyages focus on a variety of marine specialties including; advanced navigation, electronics, sailing theory and practice, aerodynamics of sail, hydrodynamics of hulls, and some admiralty law as applicable to piloting. The Nautical Science Program is certificated by the United States Coast Guard for license track students pursuing a Merchant Mariners Masters Credential (USCG Certificate UNIVSC-155). Learn More.