Niagara University’s ROTC program is the nation’s top ROTC producer of second lieutenants for the Army Cyber Branch, which focuses on developing software and cyber warfare. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point follows a separate process to assess cyber officers.
Niagara University’s ROTC cadets receive training through the institution’s undergraduate program in computer and information sciences, as well as a minor offering in computer crime. They now also have the opportunity to advance their learning via NU’s new master’s degree program in information security and digital forensics. Each of the programs prepares them for career placement in the government and private sectors.
In 2017, 5,246 ROTC cadets were assessed for the Cyber Branch. Of those only 60 were chosen, with two coming from Niagara.
In addition, NU’s ROTC program placed third in the nation on the National Accessions Outcome Metrics List, based on results in November by the United States Army Cadet Command.
The Outcome Metrics List ranks each of the country’s nearly 5,260 Army senior cadets on academic performance, leadership and involvement, and physical fitness.
Based on a formula, each ROTC cadet is scored on grade point average, performance in a national leadership course and in specific leadership dimensions, observations made by ROTC instructor cadre and physical fitness test scores. Every cadet in the nation is then ranked to determine in which military category and branch they will be placed.
NU’s Purple Eagle Battalion finished third out of 275 programs nationally in terms of average Outcome Metrics List score. Niagara’s score of 61.1 placed it second in the 2nd Brigade, ahead of every institution of higher education in New York state. It has been a perennial leader in producing quality officers for over 80 years.