2009 - 2010 University Catalog

Military Science

364 Stadium Street
541-552-6309
541-552-6409
541-552-6365

The military science program is part of the Health, Physical Education, and Leadership Department. A regular instructional division of the University, the military science program offers four years of upper and lower division military science courses to all students who meet course prerequisites. They are fully accredited and applicable as electives for fulfilling baccalaureate degree requirements. A minor in military science is also available. The department is run by the Guard Officer Leadership Detachment (GOLD) and delivers U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training (ROTC) curriculum. Successful completion of the entire course of instruction leads the cadet to become eligible to receive a federally recognized commission as a second lieutenant as a reserve officer in the United States Army.

Basic Course

Introduction Phase

The Basic Course is composed of 100- and 200-level lower division courses. It is usually taken during the freshman and sophomore years and is open to any student enrolled at SOU. Participation in this course is voluntary and requires no military commitment. Instruction is oriented toward outdoor training and classroom activities that give students insight into military service, basic soldier skills, and leadership.

Advanced Course

Precommissioning Phase

The Advanced Course is a two-year precommissioning phase integrating classroom instruction, military training, and practical experience to progressively develop leadership skills, qualities, and character. Following their sophomore year, students are encouraged to contract as cadets and begin their training as future Army leaders. In the summer between the sophomore and junior years, cadets will attend a thirty-two day leadership training camp in Fort Lewis, Washington. During the junior and senior years, formal leadership training continues in the form of lecture and leadership lab (MS 300 and 400) and Army Physical Fitness (PE 180).

Eligibility

To be accepted into the Advanced Course, candidates must: (1) be between eighteen and thirty years old; (2) be a U.S. citizen; (3) be a member of the Army National Guard; (4) be in good health as shown by a current Quad physical; (5) have an Army GT score of 110+ and an Officer Selection Battery score of 90+; and (6) be of good moral character and behavior. Although participation in the Basic Course is not a prerequisite for the Advanced Course, it is encouraged.

Educational Benefits

Several educational benefits are available to students once they enter the Corps of Cadets. Some of the available benefits include guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarships, GI Bill, Federal Tuition Assistance, and a textbook stipend.

Commissioning

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet all guidelines for a baccalaureate degree if they are seeking a commission. These requirements are outlined in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements section and include the completion of University Studies and academic major requirements. When the Advanced Course is successfully completed and students receive their baccalaureate degree, they are eligible to receive a commission as a reserve officer of the United States Army.

Minor

Program Requirements

Basic Course (Freshman)

Adventure Training I (MS 111)1
Role of the Army (MS 112)1
Adventure Training II (MS 113)1

Basic Course (Sophomore)

Land Navigation (MS 211)2
Leadership and Management (MS 212)2
Basic Military Skills (MS 213)2

Advanced Course (Junior)

Military Leadership (MS 311)3
Military Law and Administration (MS 312)3
Small Unit Tactics (MS 313)3
Physical Education (PE 180) (three terms, 1 credit each term)3

Advanced Course (Senior)

Army Training Management (MS 411)3
Military Justice System (MS 412)3
Personal Affairs and Career Development (MS 413)3
Physical Education (PE 180) (three terms, 1 credit each term)3

Military Science Courses

See Course Prerequisites Policy

Lower Division Courses

MS 111 Adventure Training I
1 credit
Offers an examination and practical application of the fundamentals of safety, manipulation, marksmanship, mechanical operation, and modern firearm storage. Introduces the basics of land navigation and map reading. Includes mandatory, off-campus field trips.

MS 112 Role of the Army
1 credit
Studies the total Army and its concept and role in society. Examines the mission, organization, personnel, and history of the Active Components of the Army and Army National Guard and Reserve.

MS 113 Adventure Training II
1 credit
Examines the practical application of whitewater rafting, orienteering, rappelling, and first aid. Includes mandatory, off-campus field trips.

MS 191 Leadership Laboratory
1 credit
Designed to use basic military training to develop confidence, character, and leadership in students. Lab instruction uses a team approach in all events. Students learn various military tasks such as marching, marksmanship, tactical patrolling, rappelling, and urban assault techniques. Covers practical knowledge in first aid, water survival, and land navigation. Primarily conducted in an outdoor setting. Open enrollment.

MS 211 Land Navigation
2 credits
Covers basic topographic map-reading skills and land navigation using a lensatic compass and terrain association. Includes practical exercises.

MS 212 Leadership and Management
2 credits
Studies the characteristics and methods of successful leadership. Includes building trust and cooperation, communication, personal motivation, and stress and time management.

MS 213 Basic Military Skills
2 credits
Introduces basic military skills in first aid; radio and wire communications; nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) defense; and weapons employment and operation.

Upper Division Courses

MS 311 Military Leadership
3 credits
Studies Army Command and Control and small unit leadership fundamentals. Examines the junior officer’s role and responsibilities in the leadership process. Addresses topics such as professional ethics, soldier/team development, and Army written and oral communication skills.

MS 312 Military Law and Administration
3 credits
Explores military law, army personnel management, and army logistics and supply. Focuses on the junior officer’s role and responsibilities in military law, officer and enlisted personnel management, resource management, and service support.

MS 313 Small Unit Tactics
3 credits
Examines the fundamentals, techniques, and procedures of light infantry squad and platoon tactics. Develops leadership skills in planning, organizing, and conducting small-unit operations.

MS 411 Army Training Management
3 credits
Explores the Army’s training philosophy and the Army Training System. Focuses on the junior officer’s roles and responsibilities in the process of battle focus-planning, establishing unit training programs, and executing military instruction.

MS 412 Military Justice System
3 credits
Examines military justice, from nonjudicial punishment to the military court-martial. Introduces practical exercises to prepare junior officers for their roles in the military justice system.

MS 413 Personal Affairs and Career Development
3 credits
Provides an in-depth examination of the Second Lieutenant’s role in the total Army and preparation for officer commissioning in the Army National Guard. Offers critical information on such topics as officer specialty selection, unit assignment, pay and benefits, training status and attendance, call-ups and mobilization, career planning, professional development, balancing personal/family life, civilian employment, and military service. Designed to enable a successful transition to civil-military life.

MS 419 Practical Field Experience
2 credits
A practicum course intended to provide practical exposure to the fields of Army administration and Army supply procedures. Designed by the instructor and the student to meet individual interests. Up to two hours of work is required a week for each hour of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of military science instructor.