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Cyclone Battalion · Cyclone
Cyclone Battalion runs Army ROTC at Iowa State University for cadets across Iowa.
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.
Scholarships available here
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
Cross-town & partner schools served
Students at these schools can commission through Cyclone Battalion by commuting to Iowa State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Iowa State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Iowa State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Iowa State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Iowa State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Iowa State University.
Contact & location
Email: arotc@iastate.edu
Phone: 515-294-1852
Site: https://www.armyrotc.iastate.edu
Located at: Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-2103
Army ROTC FAQ
Where is Cyclone Battalion located?
Cyclone Battalion is hosted at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The battalion's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Iowa State University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Cyclone Battalion?
In addition to Iowa State University, students enrolled at Drake University, Grand View University, Simpson College, Des Moines Area Community College, and Iowa Central Community College can contract through Cyclone Battalion via cross-town agreements. Cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to the host for ROTC-side coursework.
What scholarships are available through Cyclone Battalion?
Army ROTC cadets at this battalion compete for AROTC 4-Year National, AROTC 3-Year Advanced, Minuteman (Reserve/Guard), Green-to-Gold (prior-enlisted). National awards apply out of high school; on-campus side-loads kick in once a cadet is enrolled and contracted.
What's the Army ROTC summer training for cadets at Cyclone Battalion?
After the MS-III year, cadets ship to Cadet Summer Training (Advanced Camp) at Fort Knox for the 31-day capstone evaluation that drives branching and order-of-merit standing.
Can I join Iowa State Army ROTC without a commitment?
Yes. Any student can join the Cyclone Battalion for the first two years without a commitment; those who complete the full program commission as U.S. Army officers.
What scholarships does the Cyclone Battalion offer?
Students may compete for scholarships offering as much as four years of full tuition, or alternatively room and board, helping cadets earn their degree while training to commission.
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 options 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.
Interested in Cyclone Battalion?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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