Ivy Tech Community College, Sellersburg Campus, 8.12.25
Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and the Indiana National Guard to launch the nation’s first Enlisted Training Corps demonstration program.
During the ceremony on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Ivy Tech President Dr. Marty Pollio, Brigadier General Justin Mann, Director of Joint Staff, and Lieutenant General Johnny Davis, Commanding General USARC signed and launched the new ETC program in Ogle Hall at the Ivy Tech Sellersburg Campus.
Authorized by the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the ETC is a credit-bearing, pre-enlistment program modeled after the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) but focused on enlisted service. Through a combination of academic coursework and hands-on training, students develop the skills and readiness needed for roles as soldiers, technicians and specialists in active duty, the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. Ivy Tech is the first two-year institution in the United States to offer the ETC.
Students who complete the program and earn an associate degree with Ivy Tech have the opportunity to enlist in Army service at the E-4 pay grade – the highest level for junior enlisted recruits, resulting in a 30% pay increase over standard entry level.
The U.S. Army is offering this course free of charge to Ivy Tech students enrolled at the Sellersburg or Columbus campus.
Students gain exposure to military service through immersive instruction and access to Indiana National Guard facilities. Participants are prepared for military and public service careers.
Students will complete a three-hour course entitled “Foundations of Military and Public Service”, taught by Army instructors. The curriculum introduces students to:
- Military and public service pathways
- U.S. military history and traditions
- Customs, courtesies and ethical leadership
- Physical readiness and wellness
- Ethical behavior and decision-making frameworks
Ivy Tech is the first community college to offer the ETC demonstration program. It is designed to raise awareness, enhance enlistment eligibility, and strengthen national defense workforce.
To learn more head to www.ivytech.edu.
