For over 50 years, the University of Michigan Army ROTC program has had exclusive access to one of the most unique training environments in the country—Nichols Arboretum. Affectionately known as “The Arb,” this vast, wooded area in the heart of campus offers cadets a dynamic and challenging space to train on diverse terrain without ever leaving Ann Arbor.
From land navigation and tactical movement to leadership labs and field exercises, The Arb serves as a real-world classroom where cadets develop the physical and mental toughness required for success at Cadet Summer Training (CST). Its hills, trails, and varied terrain mirror the conditions cadets will face in future military training, making it the perfect proving ground, right in our own backyard.
This kind of hands-on, accessible training environment is something few ROTC programs can offer. It’s a powerful example of how Michigan ROTC blends academic life with realistic, high-quality military training, preparing our cadets to lead from day one.