COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The number of students enrolled in the University of South Carolina's Army ROTC program has tripled in size over the past five years.
Army and university officials say the program ranks third in the nation with its enrollment jump from 73 to 229 male and female cadets.
The Reserve Officer Training Corps is one of the Army's primary tools for turning everyday college students into early-rising, PT-trained commanders.
The increase comes as students seek help with paying tuition, and finish with a military job when they graduate.
The Army is the Pentagon's largest military service and must bolster its all-volunteer ranks with trained and educated officers.
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