Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) offers a unique and challenging accelerated leadership path called the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program (ECP). Successful completion of this two-year program results in your earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduating as a sophomore from VFMC.
As a second lieutenant, you will serve in the Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard) while you complete your bachelor’s degree, normally 2 years. Many programs allow you to complete a bachelor's degree tuition-free while receiving over $4,700 per year as an officer in the Reserve Component.
Those who desire to may compete for a position and serve in the Active Component of the Army after earning their bachelor's degree, entering active duty as a first lieutenant earning almost $17,000 more per year in regular military compensation (RMC) than those who earned a commission through a traditional four-year ROTC program or the US Military Academy.
Those who desire to remain in the Reserve Component after completing their bachelor’s degree still have two years of leadership experience and, in addition to a full-time career in the private sector, they will have continued leadership opportunities in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
ECP Lieutenants are obligated to serve for a total of 8 years upon commissioning – 2 years in the Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard) while completing their bachelor’s degrees and 6 years in either the Reserve Component or the Active Component upon graduating from a four-year institution and based on the needs of the US Army.