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.
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 Force, Army, 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.
“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. Tracy Perry Professor of the Practice of Naval Science Department Head, Naval Science Commander, Navy ROTC Trojan Battalion
LTC Marvin Eric Polk III Professor of the Practice of Military Science Department Head, Military Science Commander, Army ROTC Trojan Battalion
“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
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.
