< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Auburn University is home to three Re- serve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) pro- grams: Army, Naval and Air Force. But these programs cover more than just three of the military services: Air Force ROTC trains officers for careers in both the Air Force and Space Force, and Naval ROTC houses future officers in both the Navy and the Marine Corps. Students enrolled in ROTC stay busy with early morning workouts, military branch-spe- cific coursework, leadership training and, of course, their own academic majors. And while training and educational re- quirements vary by branch, the three pro- grams share a common goal of creating world-class leaders for military service by emphasizing academics, leadership, phys- ical fitness and community involvement. Army ROTC This fall, approximately 175 cadets are enrolled in Army ROTC. They complete the Basic Course over the first two years, taking a two-credit class each semester where they learn about small unit tactics, first aid, ethical decision making and leadership skills through both classroom lectures and hands-on activities. In the last two years, cadets enrolled in the Advanced Course complete three credits of lecture and lab per semester that are designed to grow students’ leadership and management skills, ethical judgment and physical stamina. During their junior year, cadets attend Summer Training Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for five weeks. While the training’s focus is on leadership develop- ment, it also serves as a critical assessment to determine the order of merit for a ca- det’s accession into Active Duty, National Guard or Reserves and their career field — whether that’s infantry, armor, aviation, cyber or intelligence. The Army uses tal- ent-based branching to determine each cadet’s military occupational specialty. Those who complete all academic and program requirements are eligible to be commissioned as officers upon graduation from Auburn, and they must serve eight years on active duty or in either the Army Reserves or the Army National Guard. Naval ROTC: Navy and Marine Corps This fall, 140 midshipmen and 11 ac- tive-duty Marines and sailors are regis- tered for Naval ROTC. Navy and Marine Option midship- men complete a three-credit course and one-credit lab every semester for all four years of the program. At first, all Naval mid- shipmen take the same classes, covering sea power, maritime affairs and leadership. When the branches break off into separate coursework in the second year of the pro- gram, Naval option students take naval navigation, naval ship engineering and naval weap- ons, while Marine option students study the evolution of warfare and ma- neuver warfare. Navy ROTC midshipmen com- plete two training cruises at sea and one month-long career orientation during the sum- mer. In lieu of the second training cruise, Marine Option students attend Officer Candidate School, a six-week selection and evaluation pro- gram in Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation and commission- ing, all officers must complete eight years of service, the last four of which can be served in the Reserves. Air Force ROTC: Air Force and Space Force This fall, more than 200 cadets are reg- istered for Air Force ROTC. Air Force and Space Force cadets com- plete the same curriculum for all four years, di- vided into two-year components. In the first, the General Military Course, students take one-credit classes each semester to learn the fundamentals, history, organizational struc- ture and overall mission of both the Air Force and Space Force and the historical develop- ment of air power. They are also required to attend five hours per week of leadership lab- oratory and physical fitness events. In their third and fourth years, referred to as the Professional Officer Corps, they continue the leadership lab and tack on two three-credit courses per semester, learning about foreign policy and nation- al security while preparing for active duty. Cadets who complete all academic and program requirements graduate with a minor in Aerospace Studies. A select number of students are cho- sen from a national pool of applicants to at- tend Air Force ROTC field training, a three- week summer course held at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. After graduation, the cadets who meet all military requirements are commissioned as second lieutenants and must serve at least four years on active duty, while those selected to become pilots have a 10-year service commitment after completing pi- lot training. UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: KELLEY YOUNG GET TO KNOW ROTC BY THE BRANCHES The Battle of the Branches brings together all Auburn ROTC students for the last leg in a yearlong competition for the Commanders Cup. Even Aubie gets in on the action of the Battle of the Branches. 52 CAM NEWTON: 2025 SEC LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COM Taking his rightful place among the best to player in the game in the South- eastern Conference, 2010 Heisman Trophy Winner Cam Newton has been named a member of the 2025 SEC Foot- ball Legends class presented by T-Mobile. The 2025 SEC Football Legends are an assemblage of former football stand- outs who will be honored at events sur- rounding the SEC Football Champion- ship Game in Atlanta in December. Newton is one of the most decorat- ed players in Auburn and Southeastern Conference history. In 2010, Newton led Auburn to a per- fect 14-0 record, winning both the SEC and BCS National Championships. A native of College Park, Georgia, he be- came the third Auburn player to win the Heisman Trophy. He also won the Walter Camp, Maxwell, Manning, and Davey O’Brien awards. The Associated Press National Play- er of the Year, Newton threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus a receiving touchdown. He was the first SEC player to pass for over 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. Newton played 11 NFL seasons, earn- ing Rookie of the Year in 2011 and MVP in 2015, leading the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50. Newton became the fourth player in Auburn history to have his number retired on October 11, 2025. The 2025 Football Legends class in- cludes 16 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions. This year’s class includes a Heisman Trophy winner, national cham- pions, All-Americans, All-SEC selections, Academic All-Americans and NFL stand- outs. The group represents teams that won SEC Championships, claimed Super Bowl titles and are represented in state, school and college football halls of fame. The class will be honored at the 2025 SEC Football “Weekend of Champi- ons” December 5-6 in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration presented by T-Mobile on Friday, December 5 at the College Foot- ball Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 6. CAM NEWTON: 2025 SEC LEGEND BY: TAYLOR BRYAN 54 2025 STADIUM MAP 2025 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COMThe Medical School making a difference in our community EVERY DAY ©2025 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reserved. Please go to www.vcom.edu/outcomes for a copy of our outcomes report. At the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Auburn, Alabama our mission is to train future physicians who are community-focused and ready to make a difference. That starts right here at home. Over the last 20 years, VCOM students and alumni have made great improvements to healthcare in southern Appalachia, but there is still work to be done. We’re inviting you to join us in this mission and make a difference for our community. Learn more www.vcom.edu56 2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2025 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COM1957 East Samford Ave., Suite B Hoka, On, Altra, Saucony, Brooks, Feetures, OS1st, Duadora, Free People, Lululemon, Turtlebox, Clothing Accesories and more! • Daily Tours •Authentic Artifacts •STEAM Days • Open Year ‘Round CELEBRATING 20 YEARS An Archaeological Museum Exploring Daily Life in Ancient Times in Georgia Voted Top 3 Religious Museums by USA Today 130 Gordon Commercial Dr. LaGrange, Georgia 30240 (One hour southwest of Atlanta) Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 5pm (706)885-0363 BiblicalHistoryCenter.combrightinvestments.com Auburn, AL Memphis, TN Nashville, TN DISCIPLINE DRIVES THE PROCESS. FINDING VALUE IS THE ART. Alabama’s LookoutMountain PlainsMeetPines PlainsMeetPines LittleRiverFalls, FortPayne,AL PhotobyJamesBurton AlabamaLookoutMountain.com 888-805-4740Next >