Department of Military Science

Since 1952 the Military Science program (Army ROTC) has prepared college men and women for commissions as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserves. The ROTC program is divided into two elective courses; the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. Basic Course classes are open to all students. They each provide academic credit hours and may fulfill elective credit in any program. Students who enroll in Basic Course classes receive leadership, management, and confidence-building instruction which will be of great value in any career field they enter. Enrollment in the Advanced Course classes is restricted to students who meet departmental criteria and who willingly accept a commission as an Army officer with a military service obligation. 

Basic Course

The Basic Course encompasses two freshman and two sophomore Military Science classes. There are prerequisites for some of the classes, please check Basic Course course descriptions for specifics. There is no military service obligation for enrolling in any of the Basic Course classes. The primary objective of the Basic Course is to provide college students with an understanding of the United States Army in general and Army ROTC in particular. Students wishing to contract as a Basic Course cadet will receive a monthly stipend of $300-$350. Additionally, students who complete three Basic Course classes and meet departmental criteria, qualify for enrollment in the Advanced Courses, if they decide to continue in the Military Science program to earn an officer’s commission in the U.S. Army. 

Advanced Course

The Advanced Course consists of two 300-level and two 400-level Military Science classes (see class descriptions below). Enrollment in all Advanced Course classes is by departmental permission. The primary objective of the Advanced Course is to prepare qualified college students for military service as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserves. Students who are accepted into this program receive $450-$500 per month (tax-free) for 10 months of both their Junior and Senior years. Additionally, Advanced Course students attend a four-week Leader Development Assessment Course (LDAC), normally in the summer between their Junior and Senior year. Students receive a salary while at training, have meals and housing provided by the Army, and receive paid travel to and from the training. Upon completion of the four Advanced Course classes, and a bachelors degree, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Students may compete to fulfill their military service full time in the active component of the U.S. Army or opt to serve in the Reserve component of the Army National Guard or Army Reserves. 

All students in the Advanced Courses, prior to graduation, are required to take U.S. Military History, HST 315. Advanced Course students are also encouraged (but not required) to take a course in the fields of national security affairs and management, if their degree programs allow. Additionally, all Advanced Course students, ROTC Scholarship students, and contracted cadets must participate in a regularly scheduled physical fitness program and Leadership Labs. 

Scholarships

The Army ROTC Scholarship program is open to all qualified, full time University students. Two four-year scholarships are awarded each year on a best qualified basis. Students need not be enrolled in Military Science classes to compete. Army ROTC Scholarships pay full tuition, required fees and book costs ($1,200/yr), plus a monthly tax free stipend of $300-$500 for 10 months of each school year of the scholarship. Students who receive an Army ROTC Scholarship incur a military service obligation which is completed after graduation either in the active or reserve components of the U.S. Army. Information on other available scholarships can be obtained from the department or on the Military Science web site. 

Leader’s Training Course (LTC)

This course is ideal for incoming juniors, first-year masters students or transfer students who have decided they want an Army officer’s commission but have never taken a Military Science course, or had any previous military training. These students can still qualify for entry into the Advanced Course provided they have exactly two academic years remaining in their degree program. Attendance at LTC is four weeks in the summer and provides equivalent credit for the Basic Course, qualifying students for the Advanced Course. Students who elect to attend LTC also receive a salary, have meals and housing provided by the Army, and receive paid travel to and from the training. As a special incentive, students can compete for two-year Army ROTC Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of college academic record, leadership potential, and LTC performance. As of 2010, all students who successfully complete LTC and contract into the ROTC Advanced Course receive a $5,000 signing bonus. Students can also receive 5 credit hours for attending LTC (see MIL 225). 

Veterans

Student veterans of honorable military service (all branches of the Armed Forces, active and reserves) may be eligible for enrollment in the Advanced Course by virtue of their previous military training and experience, and with 60 credit hours. This option (called advanced placement) enables most military veterans to complete the ROTC program in just two years, rather than four. Veterans who elect this option do not lose any of their GI Bill entitlements and still receive the monthly $300-$500 tax free stipend from ROTC. 

Uniforms and Texts

Textbooks are supplied for all ROTC courses. Freshman and Sophomore students are furnished uniforms as needed. All contracted cadets/students are  provided uniforms and equipment as necessary. 

MIL 225 and MIL 325 Fees

Students enrolling in MIL 225 and MIL 325 will be charged a flat fee of $150. This fee is in place of the per credit hour fee, not in addition to those fees.