Approximately 42 percent of the members of the Cadet Corps receive a commission in the United States Armed Forces upon graduation; when off-campus commissioning sources are included, such as the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class, that percentage climbs to over 50 percent. Under federal law, Texas A&M University is one of six U.S. colleges that are classified as senior military colleges. Though students at Texas A&M are technically not required to participate in the Corps, the majority of incoming students are excused by the University Administration and the Commandant. Those who elect to join the Corps must participate in mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) courses and training for the first two years, but these are optional for junior and senior year cadets. Juniors and senio