Info for Prospective Students


 What is ROTC?

Army ROTC is a nationally standardized program of pre-commissioning officer education and training which is offered at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the United States. Army ROTC serves as the primary source of commissioning for U.S. Army officers. Military Science courses complement all major areas of study by broadening the student's basic education and helping to prepare students for positions of leadership in the Army. As students earn their academic degree, they also earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Cadets may be commissioned onto Active Duty or into the Army Reserve or National Guard. In some cases, this decision can be locked-in by contract when the cadet enters the ROTC program. In most cases, however, a centralized board makes these decisions based on the needs of the Army, the cadet's stated preferences, academic performance, National Advanced Leadership Camp performance, and recommendations of the cadet's Director of Army Officer Education.

The focus of the ROTC program is leadership development. Students learn problem solving techniques, decision-making skills, planning and organizing skills, interpersonal communications skills, professional ethics and responsibilities, and other management and leadership skills. Leadership labs and field training exercises supplement classroom work with practical leadership training and experience. Students receive developmental counseling routinely from their U.S. Army officer and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) instructors.

Cadets normally attend a Military Science elective course each term and a five week National Advanced Leadership Camp in the summer following their junior year. The Military Science courses are instructed by U.S. Army officers and NCOs.

Army ROTC sponsors a centralized training and development camp, Warrior Forge (formerly National Advanced Leadership Camp), a 32-day long experience to evaluate the officer potential of each individual cadet at Fort Lewis, Washington. Successful completion of the Warrior Forge is a prerequisite for commissioning. Cadets may choose to attend professional development training programs each summer, such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, Northern Warfare School, Mountain Warfare School, or Cadet Troop Leadership Training.



Academic classes and field trainings for ROTC
Military Science Course Description
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MSCI 101/Introduction to Military Leadership I
(annually -fall)
Prerequisite: Freshman standing or permission of instructor

An introduction to the ROTC program and the Army. Classes focus on Army leadership and management principles as well as basic soldier skills like first aid and map reading, and familiarization with the U.S. Army’s customs, courtesies, standards, and rank structure. Students also receive an introduction to basic leadership principles expected of military officers.

MSCI 102/Introduction to Military Leadership II
(annually-spring)
Prerequisites: Freshman standing and completion of MSCI 101, or permission of the instructor

This course builds on the lessons learned in MSCI 101 in basic soldier skills and leadership. Students learn how to use basic leadership and management techniques, improve their competence in basic soldier skills and tactics, and receive further professional development in leadership skills. Students are introduced to the career field opportunities available to Army officers.

MSCI 201/Small Unit Leadership I
(annually-fall)
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and completion of MSCI 100-series courses, or permission of the Prof of Military Science

This course provides students with the opportunity to attain the next level of proficiency in physical fitness, basic soldier skills, problem solving, and leadership. This course introduces the operations order, a format for developing and communicating military operations, as well as further leadership development in effective communications, performance assessment, and counseling. Officer career field opportunities and responsibilities are also addressed in the course.

MSCI 202/Small Unit Leadership II
(annually-spring)
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and completion of MSCI 201, or permission of the Prof of Military Science

Students participate in learning activities designed to provide practical experience in the use of the military decision-making processes. Oral presentation techniques and historical analysis of military decision-making are also critical components of the course. Students prepare to assume cadet non-commissioned officer leadership roles within the cadet command structure. This course serves as a pre-requisite to attendance at the U.S. Army Airborne School in the summer between sophomore and junior years.

MSCI 301/Applied Military Leadership I
(annually-fall)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and completion of the basic course (MSCI 100 and 200 series, or advanced placement)

Enrollment in this course marks a commitment to completing the ROTC program and receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. To this end, cadets study and practice the leadership aspects of planning and executing small unit tactical operations. Further emphasis is given to development of leadership skills as measured by the Cadet Leadership Development Program, an evaluation system designed to improve an individual’s competence as a military leader. Cadets get hands-on practice on these skills through assigned leadership positions within the cadet command structure. Cadets continue to refine their individual physical fitness and assist seniors in leading unit fitness sessions.

MSCI 302/Applied Military Leadership II
(annually-spring)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and completion of MSCI 301

This course provides the cadets their final preparation for the National Advanced Leadership Camp normally attended in the summer between junior and senior years. Cadets refine their individual and military leadership, with practical exercise opportunities and feedback from senior cadets and instructors. The course emphasizes leadership in small units, use of the military operations order, land navigation, and physical fitness.

MSCI 401/Leadership Development and the Profession of Arms
(annually-fall)
Prerequisites: Senior standing and completion of MSCI 300-series courses

Cadets assume leadership roles within the cadet command structure. Cadets study the nature of military professionalism with respect to their future duties as officers. Students learn how to assess performance and to plan and supervise training using the Army’s training management system. The course strives to develop habits of independent study with historical readings and oral presentations. Cadets gain practical leadership experience as they lead the Army ROTC program.

MSCI 402/Leadership Development and the Profession of Arms
(annually-spring)
Prerequisites: Senior standing and completion of MSCI 401

This course provides the final preparation for an officer’s commissioning. Learning activities include the Army Command Policy, Administrative Law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, officer and enlisted evaluation and promotion systems, senior-subordinate relationships, performance counseling, and a tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield. Cadets gain practical leadership experience as they lead the Army ROTC program.


Summer Offerings

MSCI 222/Leadership Training Course
(Introduction to Military Skills and Leadership)

Sophomores (and select students headed to graduate school) who missed attending courses during freshman and/or sophomore year have the option to attend Army ROTC Leadership Training Course, a summer training opportunity at Fort Knox, KY, conducted during the summer before junior year. This camp provides compressed instruction for all MSCI 100 and 200 series academic year courses. All student expenses are paid for by the Army, plus students are paid a nominal salary of about $800 for their attendance. This opportunity requires the student’s advanced commitment to pursue a commission as an Army officer.

MSCI 333/Warrior Forge
(Advanced Military Leadership Practicum)

All cadets attend the national Advanced Leadership Camp. Cadets who successfully complete their junior academic year and the MSCI 300-series courses attend this 5-week leadership development camp at Fort Lewis, WA, where they are evaluated by commissioned Army officers on individual military skills and demonstrated leadership potential.

MSCI 334/Cadet Troop Leader Training
(Junior Officer Leadership Internship)

Cadets who successfully complete MSCI 300-series course in their junior year and the National Advanced Leadership Camp may request this opportunity. Cadets serve in tactical, active-duty Army units for three or four weeks, at military posts either overseas (Germany, Korea, or Hawaii) or in any one of numerous locations throughout the continental United States. During this time, cadets get hands-on, practical experience in the platoon leader responsibilities they will assume as a second lieutenant. Cadets often use this opportunity to “try out” the branch of the Army they are most interested in pursuing during their career.