The Palmetto Battalion

The Palmetto Battalion Army ROTC Detachment is one of the largest ROTC battalions in the country and commissions between 70-100 cadets yearly. We offer the opportunity for students at The Citadel, Charleston Southern University, the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina to commission as an Active Duty, National Guard or Reserve component officer. 

Our program includes instruction in values, time management, physical fitness, basic military customs and courtesies, general military subjects, tactics and communication skills. Interested students may also be able to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). This program is a volunteer officer training program which allows Army National Guard and Army Reserve enlisted members to also participate in the Advanced ROTC course leading to a commission in one of the reserve components.


Scholarship Information

National scholarships are for high school students applying for college and can also be applied for in some instances by college students. To apply, click here.

If you are a college student interested in applying for a scholarship, contact Mrs. Eileen Quinn at 843-953-6593 or eileen.quinn@citadel.edu.

For those interested in scholarships, there are several that are available in addition to those provided by the national board. The scholarships include Minuteman scholarships, GRFD (Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty) scholarships, STEM scholarships, Nursing scholarships, and campus-based scholarships. Questions about any of these scholarships can be directed to Mrs. Eileen Quinn at 843-953-6593 or eileen.quinn@citadel.edu.


Specialty Programs:

The Basic Airborne Course is conducted at Fort Benning, Ga., and is a three-week course encompassing all aspects of entering a combat zone by parachute. The first week is Ground Week and consists of rigorous physical training and instruction designed to prepare the student to make a parachute jump and land safely.

The second week is Tower Week, and training consists of perfecting individual skills and stressing team effort. Jump skills are taught through the use of the swing landing trainer, the suspended harness and the 250-foot free-fall tower.

The final week is Jump Week, where you will use the training of the previous two weeks to execute five parachute jumps, including one night jump and two jumps in full combat gear. Upon completion of the fifth jump, you will receive the Basic Parachutist Qualification Badge and become a member of the elite AIRBORNE community.

If you desire to attend the Basic Airborne Course while in Army ROTC, you must be a contracted Army ROTC Cadet in top physical condition and have completed The Palmetto Battalions rigorous training selection program.

Learn more here.

At Air Assault School, Cadets are trained on the missions performed by rotary wing aircraft, aircraft safety, aero-medical evacuation procedures, pathfinder operations, principles and techniques of combat assaults, rappelling techniques, and sling-load operations.  The core POI requires minimum support assets and is adaptable to organic aviation elements.  Both the core instruction and the additional instruction are conducted in a classroom/field environment. To be considered to attend the Air Assault School, you must be a contracted Army ROTC Cadet in top physical condition and have completed The Palmetto Battalions rigorous training selection program.

Learn more here.

Learn more about what it takes to be a U.S. Army officer through the ROTC program.

AMWS provides tactical and technical training for mountain warfare and cold weather operations. AMWS courses enable Soldiers to operate successfully using proven techniques derived from lessons learned by units currently engaged in mountain warfare. AMWS is located in the mountains of Jericho, Vermont at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site (CEATS). Graduates of the Basic Military Mountaineer Course (BMMC) earn the SQI-E “Military Mountaineer.” To be considered for AMWS, you must be a contracted Army ROTC Cadet in top physical condition and have completed The Palmetto Battalion’s rigorous training selection program.

Learn more here.

The Basic Military Mountaineering Course (BMMC) trains selected Cadets in the fundamental knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in typical, mountainous terrain found throughout the world. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 mountaineering tasks. After successful completion of the BMMC, Soldiers are awarded Special Qualification Identifier (SQI) “E”, Military Mountaineer. To be considered for BMMC, you must be a contracted Army ROTC Cadet in top physical condition and have completed The Palmetto Battalions rigorous training selection program.

Learn more here.

CTLT Internships provide MSL III Cadets with an opportunity to exercise specialized language, technical or research skills. Internships range from three to eight weeks long. Cadets receive an Officer Evaluation Report upon completing the internship. Cadets who wish to participate in any internship must meet application requirements, submit an application packet and receive approval. Only Cadets approved by their professor of military science and meeting all application requirements at the time of application will be considered for internships. Internship applications are specialized to each program offered. Timelines for submission may vary for some internships.

Learn more here.

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