Department of Military Science
Reserve Officers Training Corps, Michael L. Hedegaard, Chair
Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) offers college students the opportunity to serve as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve upon graduation. ROTC enhances a student's education by providing unique leadership and management training, along with practical leadership experience. Students develop many of the qualities basic to success while earning a college degree and an officer's commission at the same time.
Four–Year Program. The four–year Army ROTC program consists of two parts, the Basic Course and the Advanced Course.
Basic Course.The basic course is normally taken during the first two years of college and may be taken without incurring any miltiary obligation. This course covers such subjects as management principles, national defense, military history, and leadership development. Basic course classes include adventure training such as rappelling, squad tactics and small arms marksmanship. Additional opportunities are also available to conduct small unit training exercises at Lubrecht Forest. In addition, a variety of outside social and professional enrichment activities are available. All necessary ROTC textbooks, uniforms, and other essential materials for the basic course are furnished to students at no cost. After they have completed the basic course, students who have demonstrated the potential to become officers and who have met the physical and scholastic standards are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Course. Compression of the Basic Course into two semesters may be arranged for those students who did not take military science courses during their Freshman year.
Army ROTC Scholarship.Students receiving Army ROTC scholarships and enrolling in Basic Course classes must sign an oath of loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, as directed by the Congress of the United States, and will be required to complete enrollment forms specified by the Department of the Army.
Advanced Course.The Advanced Course is usually taken during the final two years of college. Instruction includes organization and management, tactics, ethics, critical thinking, creative problem solving and further leadership development. Uniforms and equipment in the Advanced Course are furnished to students at no cost. During the summer between their junior and senior years of college, Advanced Course cadets attend the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), a fully paid four–week leadership practicum. LDAC gives cadets the chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom and introduces them to Army life while also receiving academic credit. Completion of the Advanced Course requires two years of study. Each cadet in the Advanced Course receives a subsistence allowance of up to $4,500 for each year of attendance.
Two–Year Program. The two–year program is applies to incoming juniors and community college graduates, students at four–year colleges who did not take ROTC during their first two years of school, and students entering a two–year postgraduate course of study. To enter the two–year program, students must attend a fully paid four–week Leadership Training Course (LTC), normally held during the summer between their sophomore and junior years of college. At LTC, students learn to challenge themselves physically and mentally, and to build their confidence and leadership skills. After successfully completing LTC, students who meet all the necessary enrollment requirements may participate in the Advanced Course.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance.Army ROTC scholarships are offered for four, three and two years and are awarded on a competitive basis. Each scholarship pays 100% of student's tuition and fees, $1200 a year for textbooks and supplies, and a monthly stipend totaling up to $4,500 per year while the scholarship is in effect. Four-year scholarships are awarded to students who will be entering college as freshmen. Two and three–year scholarships are awarded to students already enrolled in college and to Army enlisted personnel on active duty. Additionally, students who attend the LTC of the two–year program may compete for two–year scholarships while at the course. Additional room and board offset ared available to deserving students. Students who receive scholarships are required to attain undergraduate degrees in the fields in which their scholarships were awarded.
Veterans.Veterans may apply their military experience as credit toward the ROTC Basic Course. If eligible, a veteran may a veteran may enroll directly into the Advanced Course.
Simultaneous Membership Program. This program allows students to be members of the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve and to enroll in Army ROTC at the same time. Students participating in the Simultaneous Membership Program receive up to $4,500 per year in tuition assistance, $4,500 per year in monthly stipends and an additional $20,000 per year in other benefits. There are also scholarships available for students participating in the Simultaneous Membership Program that are interested in staying in the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve upon graduation that pay up to $7,500 per year for living expenses and $1,200 per year for textbooks, supplies and other equipment. These scholarships are in addition to the current benefits students receive as part of the Simultaneous Membership Program.
Requirements for a Minor
To earn a minor in Military Studies a student must successfully complete 21 credits in two areas: 12 credits in Military Leadership Studies to include MSL 101S, 301, 302 and 402E; and 9 credits in History and Political Science (at least 3 credits from each discipline and at least 6 credits upper–division) selected from HSTR 272E, 302, 304, 374E (HIST 226E, 301H, 303H, 334E) HSTA 316, 333 (HIST 355, 368) ; PSCI 230X, 335, 336, 391 (PSC 130E, 335, 336, 395) (International Security).
Courses
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
Military Science Leadership (MSL)
A total of 24 credits are allowed toward the bachelor degree for contracted students. A total of 12 credits are allowed toward the bachelor degree for non–contracted students.
- U 101 American Defense Establishment 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. The Constitutional role of the military, military tradition, current defense posture, service roles and missions. An introduction to issues and competencies that are central to a commissioned officer’s responsibilities. Establishes framework for understanding officership, leadership and army values.
- U 102 Introduction to Leadership 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Establishes foundation of basic leadership fundamentals such as problem–solving, communications, goal setting and improving listening techniques. Introduction to the principles of military leadership and organizational values through discussion, observation and practice exercises.
- U 131 Aviation: Introduction and Ground School 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., basic high school math competency. Introductory course covering the ground school material required for an FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Topics include fundamentals of flight, flight operations, aviation weather, performance and navigation, and integration of pilot knowledge and skills.
- U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R–6) Offered autumn. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one–time offerings of current topics.
- U 201 Team Leadership 3 cr. Offered autumn. Demonstration and practice of individual military leadership skills with emphasis on communication and observation through experiential learning exercises. Establishes framework for understanding of “life skills” such as physical fitness and time management. Examination and practical application of tasks training and military style briefings.
- U 202 Foundations of Tactical Leadership 3 cr. Offered spring. Building successful teams through influencing actions and effective communication in setting and achieving goals. Use of creativity in the problem solving process. Introduction of individual and team aspects of military tactics in small unit operations. Practical exercises in techniques for training others as an aspect of continued leadership development.
- U 203 Ranger Challenge 2 cr. (R–4) Offered autumn. Practical hands–on training in one rope bridge, land navigation, military weapons assembly/disassembly and physical conditioning. A team selected from this class will represent the University in competition against four other colleges and universities within the Big Sky Task Force. Students may include up to, but not more than, four credits earned in the HHP 100–179 and DRAM 385 activity courses and MSL 203 and 315 in the total number of credits required for graduation. Students must be physically qualified and enrolled in an additional MSL academic class.
- U 204 Leadership Practicum 1–4 cr. (R–4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Intensive supervised study in applied leadership and management development in an organizational setting.
- U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R–6) Offered spring. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one–time offerings of current topics.
- U 301 Tactical Leadership 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. Coreq., MSL 303. Developing personal leadership principles through the learning and application of various small unit leadership procedures. Fundamentals of leadership development, land navigation, troop leading, small units tactics, rappelling, rifle marksmanship and physical fitness. Study of the organization and operation of the U.S. Army as a profession. Students are required to attend one weekend field exercise during the semester.
- U 302 Leadership in Changing Environments 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Coreq., MSL 303. Continuation of the study and application of small unit leadership tasks. Advanced leadership skills taught including medical evacuation procedures, radio procedures, and increased involvement in planning and executing military operations in preparation for attendance at the Leader Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Washington. Students participate in rifle marksmanship instruction including qualification with the M16A2 rifle, rappelling, and attend one weekend exercise with students from regional universities in the area and the Montana Army National Guard.
- U 303 Leadership Laboratory 1 cr. (R–4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Coreq., MSL 301, 302, 401, or 402E. Practical application of skills learned in the classroom.
- U 315 Drill and Conditioning 1 cr. (R–4) Offered autumn and spring. The study and application of military drill and ceremony: formation, ceremonies, and marching; the study of the fundamentals of the military physical conditioning program, and the practical application of skills learned. Physical education activity course; a maximum of four credits of activity courses may be counted toward graduation.
- U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R–9) Offered autumn and spring. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one–time offerings of current topics.
- U 401 Developmental Leadership 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr.; coreq., MSL 303. The application of leadership principles and techniques involved in leading young men and women in today’s Army. Students explore training management. methods of effective staff collaboration and development counseling techniques. Develops student proficiency in planning and executing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff and mentoring subordinates. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.
- U 402E Officership and Ethics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr.; coreq., MSL 303. Study includes case study of military law and practical exercises on establishing an ethical command climate. Examines the role communications, values and ethics play in effective leadership. Students complete a semester long Senior Leadership Project that requires them to plan, organize, collaborate, analyze and demonstrate their leadership skills. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.
- U 404 Advanced Leadership Practicum Variable cr. (R–4) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Required study and internship in military tactics, leadership and organizational behavior. Supervised by active duty military officers.
Faculty
Professor
- Joseph J. Yakawich, M.A., Webster University, 2006 (Chair)
Assistant Professors
- Jason A. Grider, B.S., History, Weber State University, 1997
- Natalie L. Jewett, B.S., Biological Sciences, Austin Peay University, 1998
- Dustin J. Kay, B.A., Recreation, University of Northern Iowa, 2003
- Tracy A. Mitchell, B.A., Carroll College, 2000
- Patrick D. Van Hecke, US Army First Sergeant Course, 2007
- Charles M. Robinson, US Army Maneuver Non-Commissioned Officer Course, 2004
