Holistic Development Toward Effective Citizenship as a College Outcome: The Example of ROTC

Despite its presence on many colleges and universities and substantial financial investment in higher education, very little research has explored whether and how participation in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) shapes college students’ experiences and development. Using data from interviews with 20 cadets in one U.S. Army ROTC battalion, we applied Baxter Magolda and King’s theoretical consideration of effective citizenship to the study of the holistic development outcomes of ROTC participation. Study findings suggest that ROTC is a campus environment that promotes students’ development toward effective citizenship. Findings offer insight into lessons learned from a postsecondary sub-context that supports holistic development and enhanced understanding of a nationally present yet underexplored population and program in higher education. Findings also lead to practical suggestions for promoting positive outcomes for ROTC cadets and college students more generally, as well as areas for further research.