Montana State’s engineering college to host ROTC Community Zero Days

BOZEMAN - Montana State University's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering will host the third annual ROTC Community Zero Days Aug. 14-16. The event provides an opportunity for incoming first-year students in MSU's Air Forceand Army ROTC programs to build community between - and within - each branch, as well as understand life as a student cadet, become familiar with the campus and explore programs beyond what is experienced in orientation, according to Merry Schlenker Bruce, university liaison for MSU's Army ROTC program.

According to Bruce, 76 participants are expected to attend, all of whom are joining either the Army or Air Force ROTC programs. The two-day event features workshops and activities designed to ease their transition into cadet life and build camaraderie across both branches. Joint sessions include stress and time management, a tour of MSU's Student Wellness Center, and a nutrition workshop led by campus experts. Cadets will explore ROTC spaces, participate in physical training and a mock fitness test, and join team-building events like capture the flag and climbing wall activities hosted by the Montana National Guard. Branch-specific sessions introduce program expectations, communication tools like Canvas and Teams, and cadet traditions such as drill, color guard and the Ranger Challenge. Cadets will also meet their cadre, connect with returning students, and gain a deeper understanding of ROTC expectations and support systems before the semester begins.

"We have high expectations for Bobcat student cadets," said Melissa Turney, university liaison for the Air Force ROTC. "They are our future leaders, and we want them to clearly understand the expectations that will be placed upon them before the start of the semester. Zero Days is intended to provide them with the tools they need to be successful with earning their degrees and becoming commissioned as second lieutenants."

MSU's Army ROTC program was established in 1896 and the Air Force ROTC in 1947. Counting the new cadets, there are 117 students enrolled in Army ROTC and 108 in the Air Force ROTC.

MSU's ROTC programs are housed in MSU's engineering college. The programs allow the students to become Army or Air Force commissioned officers while they earn a bachelor's or master's degree. Students can major in any degree offered at MSU and have the option to minor in military studies.