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2008 - 2009 Catalog
Military Science
364 Stadium Street
541-552-6309
541-552-6409
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 offers the Guard Officer Leadership Detachment (GOLD) program, which replaces ROTC on this campus. Successful completion of the GOLD program leads to commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Oregon Army National Guard.
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 enroll in the state’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) at the Oregon Military Academy. Students train with their OCS class for two weeks over two summers. During the junior and senior years, leadership development occurs in 300- and 400-level upper division military science and Army Physical Fitness (PE 180) classes.
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 join the Army National Guard and participate in the GOLD program. These include scholarships under the Montgomery GI Bill, the Oregon Army National Guard Tuition Waiver, and tuition assistance. Interested students should contact the military science program for details.
Commissioning
In addition to the GOLD 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 on page 15 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 commissioned as second lieutenants in the Oregon Army National Guard.
Minor
GOLD 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 |
| OCS Phase I (MS 295) (summer) | 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 |
| OCS Phase III (MS 395) (summer) | 2 |
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 |
| Practical Field Experience (MS 419) | 2 |
Military Science Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower 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. 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 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. Mandatory for Officer Candidate School (OCS) enrollment. |
| MS 295 OCS Phase I |
| 2 credits |
| Offers an intensive two-week precommissioning training. Oriented toward leader development and individual/small-unit training in a physically and mentally rigorous environment. Evaluates individual proficiency in land navigation and communication skills. Provides practical experience in a variety of leadership positions. Located at a military post. Prerequisite: Approval of the 186th Army GOLD. |
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 395 OCS Phase III |
| 2 credits |
| Provides an intensive two-week precommissioning training oriented toward squad and platoon tactical training in a field environment. Students plan, organize, and conduct small unit operations and train in a variety of leadership positions. Located at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Prerequisites: MS 295, 311, 312, 313. |
| 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. |
