Is Penn a Military College?

I've heard Penn being referred to as a 'military college' a few times now. Does it mean that they have a heavy focus on ROTC programs and similar activities or am I misunderstanding?

While the University of Pennsylvania (often referred to as Penn) does have Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs available for students interested in a military career after college, it is not classified as a military college.

A military college or service academy, such as West Point or the Naval Academy, is a federally run institution that provides undergraduate education and training for students who will serve in the military after graduation. Students at these schools usually receive free tuition, room and board in exchange for a commitment to serve in the military after graduation, typically for a period of five years.

On the other hand, Penn is a private Ivy League research university that offers a wide range of academic programs across many disciplines. The university does provide ROTC programs in partnership with the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These programs allow students to combine a civilian college experience with military training. Upon graduation, participants in these programs typically commission as officers in their respective service branches.

However, participation in ROTC is not a requirement for Penn students, and the program represents only a fraction of the overall student population and university experience. The majority of students at Penn focus on traditional undergraduate programs and won't have a military obligation after graduation.