Cyclone Battalion
Hosted at Iowa State University · Ames, IA
Cyclone Battalion runs Army ROTC at Iowa State University for cadets across Iowa.
Quick facts
About this program
For cadets at Iowa State University, the path to a commission runs through Cyclone Battalion. The unit goes by the Cyclone. The battalion reports up through U.S. Army Cadet Command, and graduates pin on as second lieutenants.
Beyond Iowa State University, the unit serves cadets from Drake University, Grand View University, Simpson College, and Des Moines Area Community College under cross-enrollment agreements. Field training, drill, and Military Science classes run at the host; partner-school cadets manage the commute.
Scholarship-wise, expect the full Army ROTC menu: AROTC 4-Year National, AROTC 3-Year Advanced, Minuteman (Reserve/Guard), Green-to-Gold (prior-enlisted). Academically, Iowa State University is known for mathematics and applied analytics alongside nursing and health professions, which gives cadets a meaningful range of degree paths under the same commissioning umbrella.
Cross-town partners
| Institution | Relationship | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA | cross-town | 22.1 mi | — |
| Grand View University Des Moines, IA | cross-town | 28.2 mi | — |
| Drake University Des Moines, IA | cross-town | 29.4 mi | — |
| Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA | cross-town | 42.8 mi | — |
| Simpson College Indianola, IA | cross-town | 45.9 mi | — |
Scholarships available
Scholarship route obligating service in the Army Reserve or National Guard rather than active duty.
Service obligation: 8 years
Active-duty enlisted soldiers transition to officer via ROTC with several scholarship options (2-year, 3-year, 4-year).
Service obligation: 8 years
On-campus scholarship awarded to enrolled cadets at the start of their MS-II year.
Service obligation: 6 years
Covers full tuition and fees OR room and board (your choice), plus a $420/month stipend (10 months/yr) and $1,200/yr book allowance. Merit-based board score with PT assessment and SAT/ACT. Application opened June 14, 2026; final deadline to start an application is March 4, 2027. Three selection boards (Oct, Jan, Mar). 8-year total service obligation; you can exit after freshman year with no obligation.
Service obligation: 8 years
Academic programs at Iowa State University
Cadets at Cyclone Battalion pursue degrees across Iowa State University's undergraduate catalog. Branch-preferred fields (engineering, foreign language, nursing, computer science) often carry scholarship benefits. See Iowa State University's profile →
Training & summer
Army cadets attend Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox between their MS-III and MS-IV years for Advanced Camp, plus optional CULP overseas, Airborne, and Air Assault schools.
Contact & location
Email: arotc@iastate.edu
Phone: 515-294-1852
Site: https://www.armyrotc.iastate.edu
Address: Ames, IA 50011-2103
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Photos
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Cyclone Battalion located?
- Cyclone Battalion is hosted at Iowa State University in Ames, IA 50011-2103.
- Can students at other schools join Cyclone Battalion?
- Yes — Cyclone Battalion accepts cross-town and partner students from 5 other institutions, including Des Moines Area Community College, Grand View University, Drake University, Iowa Central Community College. See the cross-town partners table for distance and enrollment paths.
- Can I commission through Cyclone Battalion as any major?
- Army programs accept students from most academic majors at Iowa State University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
- How do I contact Cyclone Battalion?
- Reach the unit at arotc@iastate.edu. Phone: 515-294-1852. Official site: https://www.armyrotc.iastate.edu.
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Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.