The UC Davis Army ROTC is one of the top military science programs in the United States, according to an Army study. The report, which analyzed the enrollment and quality of students among the 333 ROTC programs in the country, speaks highly of the Davis program, says Lt. Col. Ronald Porter, chair of the military science department. It describes the campus program as the largest in California in terms of the number of officers commissioned. It's also tops in the quality of academic programs and the number and variety of awards the unit has received. For example, the UC Davis Ranger Challenge team recently placed among the state's top finishers in a contest that measures physical abilities and military fighting skills in students from other colleges that offer ROTC programs. "UC Davis thrives despite the Army's decision to close 15 to 30 military science programs annually," says Porter. "Some UC Davis students are drawn to the military science program because the Army offers full scholarships that cover registration fees, books and a $150 allowance a month," Porter says.