Citadel College: What's their Connection to the Military?

So I've heard a lot about Citadel College and their connection to the military. I'm not a 100% sure what it means though. Are they tied to a specific military branch or what's the deal?

Citadel College, formally known as The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, definitely has a strong connection to the military. However, it's not affiliated with a specific branch of the U.S. Military. Instead, it prepares its students, who are called cadets, for leadership roles in all branches of the Armed Services through its Corps of Cadets program.

This program, which is similar to a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program found at other universities, is a four-year leadership program that culminates in a Bachelor's degree. Cadets take part in military education, physical training, and follow strict rules regarding personal conduct and appearance - mirroring the discipline and structure of military life.

Regardless of their chosen academic major, cadets are required to participate in ROTC for all four years of their program and may choose one of four units representing the branches of the service: Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps. However, there's no obligation to serve in the military after graduation, unless a cadet has received an ROTC scholarship or decides to contract with a branch of the military to receive a commission as an officer.

So, in summary, Citadel College's connection to the military is more about its focus on military-style discipline, leadership, and character development than affiliation with a specific branch. It's very appealing to students who are seriously considering military service, but also values the development of strong civilian leaders.