Department of Military Science (Army ROTC)

Chair: Morris

Assistant Professors: Bunde, Hansen

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) was established at Idaho State University under provisions recommended to the State Board of Education and in accordance with national requirements. Participation by students in the program is voluntary. The objective of the advanced course, Army ROTC, is to provide students who have the ability and desire the opportunity to become commissioned officers in the United States Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.

Scope of Instruction

Instruction in ROTC is divided into the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. Each is described below.

General

The program of instruction leading to a commission as a second lieutenant consists of academic classes in military science, one or more several-week summer camps, and a bachelor's degree in an academic major (including the Bachelor of Applied Technology). Training in leadership is emphasized. Instruction is given in subjects common to all branches of the Army with emphasis placed on the following: organization of the Army and ROTC; individual weapons and marksmanship; military history; management; leadership; map reading, land navigation and orienteering; U.S. Army and national security; military teaching principles; tactics; communications; operations; logistics; administration; military law; and the role of the United States military in world affairs.

Basic Course

Normally taken the Freshman and Sophomore years, the basic course gives the student the opportunity to experience the Army without incurring any obligation.

Satisfactory completion of the Basic Course fulfills one of the requirements for continuation in the four-year program and acceptance into the Advanced Course. Those students desiring to take the Advanced Course, but lacking the credit for the Basic Course, may satisfy the requirements by attending a 5-week summer camp between their sophomore and junior year or by completing Military Basic Training. Veterans and Reserve/National Guard members may receive credit for the Basic Course.

Students in the Basic Course who are contemplating taking the Advanced Course are highly encouraged to take either the Military Style Fitness class or the Ranger Challenge fitness class.

Advanced Course

In addition to the requirements of the Basic Course, the Advanced Course requires two additional years of military science and a 32-day summer camp. The camp provides practical application of instruction previously given. Admission to the Advanced Course is by permission of the Chair of the Department of Military Science.

Admission Requirements

Advanced Course cadets must:

1. Have satisfied one of the following requirements: Successful completion of the Basic Course, the five-week summer Leader Training Course (LTC) or Basic Training. In addition, all students must have completed a minimum of 54 credits toward their chosen career field.
2. Be able to complete all requirements for commissioning before their 30th birthday.
3. Successfully complete the prescribed survey and general screening tests.
4. Be selected by the President of ISU or any other institution to which they may thereafter be admitted.
5. Execute an individual contract with the government in which they agree to complete the Advanced Course at Idaho State University or any other institution at which they may thereafter be enrolled where such a program is offered.
6. Devote a minimum of eight hours a week to the military training prescribed by the Secretary of the Army.
7. Attend a five-week summer training camp between the junior and senior year, or in exceptional cases, at the end of the senior year.
8. Contract into the Army Reserve ROTC Control Group. This enlistment does not involve additional training or duty but is to insure compliance with the terms of the contract signed by the student.
9. Agree to accept a commission if tendered.
10. Serve as a commissioned officer in the active Army, the Army Reserve, or the National Guard. Guaranteed Reserve Forces (GRF) assignments are available for those who do not want to compete for the active duty assignments. The GRF assignment allows officers to serve in the reserves with an Army Commission.
11. Complete the requirements for Precommissioning Training (PCT). The PCT system is designed to articulate skills and knowledge that are required of all U.S. Army Officers. The professional military education component consists of two parts, a baccalaureate degree in an academic field and at least one undergraduate course from each of the three designated fields of study: communication skills, military history, computer literacy.
12. Participate in either the Ranger Challenge fitness class or the Military Style fitness class every semester until commissioned.

Scholarships

Two and three year scholarship applications are available through the Military Science Department. Each scholarship recipient can receive up to $16,000 per year for either 2 or 3 years. These scholarships pay for tuition and associated fees. There is an additional $450 per year flat rate for books. Students who are in the Advanced Course (Junior and Senior status) and/or are scholarships recipients will also receive an additional $350 per month (see "Financial Assistance", below). Each student selected for a scholarship must serve in either the National Guard, Reserves, or Active Duty as a commissioned officer.

Financial Assistance

Each Advanced Course student receives an allowance of between $250 and $400 a month for up to ten months a year for two years. Summer camp pay, in addition to meals, quarters, medical/dental attention, and travel pay, is $760 (approximately). A uniform allowance of $300 is paid to each commissioned student upon entry into active duty.

Uniforms

Basic and Advanced Course students will be provided uniforms and equipment for ROTC classes. All such items of clothing and equipment are the property of the U.S. government and are provided solely for the purpose of furthering the military training of the student. Students are responsible for the safekeeping, care, and return of the property issued to them.

Required Courses/Activities

Basic Course (choose a, b, or c):

a) the following four courses:
  
M S 101         Introduction to ROTC                  1 cr
M S 102         Introduction to Leadership            1 cr
M S 201         Self/Team Development                 2 cr
M S 202         Individual/Team Military Tactics      2 cr

Optional:
M S 110         Basic Course Physical Fitness         1 cr
M S 104         Ranger Challenge                      1 cr

(b) Attendance at ROTC Camp Challenge**               6 cr

(c) Prior military service

Advanced Course:

M S 301         Leading Small Organizations I         3 cr
M S 302         Leading Small Organizations II        3 cr
M S 310         Advanced Course Physical Fitness*     1 cr
M S 401         Leadership Challenges 
                  and Goal Setting                    3 cr
M S 402         Transition to Lieutenant              3 cr

Communication Skills (one of these):

ENGL 307        Technical Writing                     3 cr
ENGL 206        Creative Writing Workshop             3 cr
ENGL 308        Business Communication                3 cr
M C 121/121L    Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     3 cr
SPCH 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr
Or other approved courses                             3 cr

Military History (one of these):

HIST 225        United States Military History        3 cr
HIST 429        Foreign Relations Since 1900          3 cr
Or other approved courses                             3 cr

Computer Literacy (one of these):

CIS 101         Introduction to Computer Systems      3 cr
C S 181         Introduction to Computer
                  Science and Programming             3 cr
or other higher C S courses, CIS courses, 
  or approved courses.                                3 cr

Also May Be Required:

M S 390         Advanced Camp***                      6 cr

Optional:

M S 104         Ranger Challenge                      1 cr
M S 380         Nurse Summer Training                 3 cr
M S 493         Military Science Internship           6 cr

*Required if student is on scholarship and contracted.

**Attendance at ROTC Leader Training Course (LTC) is one means of completing the Basic Course. Students may sign up for M S 290 to receive 6 academic credits for LTC.

***Attendance at Advanced Camp is required of all contracted students normally between junior and senior year. Students may sign up for M S 390 to receive academic credit for National Advanced Leadership Camp.

Military Science Courses

M S 101 Introduction to ROTC 1 credit. Provides an overview of ROTC with purpose and history and an introduction to land navigation, customs and courtesies, marksmanship, and first aid. Laboratory: Leadership exercises, adventure training, and military branch orientation. F

M S 102 Introduction to Leadership 1 credit. Continuation of M S 101. Instruction in military subjects: small-unit tactics, individual tactical movement, first aid, introduction to leadership, leadership exercises, adventure training, and military skills orientation. PREREQ: M S 101 or permission of instructor. S

M S 104 Ranger Challenge 1 credit. Students are instructed in basic military/survival skills: field expedient bridging, marksmanship, individual weapons familiarization, individual tactical movement, and physical readiness. Culminates in team competitions with other universities. May be repeated up to 4 credits by contracted Military Science students. PREREQ OR COREQ: M S 101, M S 102, M S 201 OR M S 202. F, S

M S 110 Basic Course Physical Fitness 1 credit. Participate in and learn to lead a physical fitness program. Emphasis on developing an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one's life. Cross-listed as PEAC 110.  F, S

M S 201 Self and Team Development 2 credits. Prepares student for ROTC Advanced Course. Emphases: leadership, land navigation, oral/written communications, and military subjects from precommissioning training guidance. Laboratory: Practical application of classroom instruction and adventure training. PREREQ: M S 102 or permission of instructor. F

M S 202 Individual and Team Military Tactics 2 credits. Preparation for ROTC Advanced Course. Concentrates on the instruction and application of military professional development, and small-unit tactics. Laboratory: leadership exercises, adventure training, military skills, and tactical instruction.  PREREQ: M S 201 or permission of instructor. S

M S 290 ROTC Camp Challenge 6 credits. Introduction to military science for students having little or no military experience. Provides experiences in management, teaching, first aid, physical conditioning. Qualifies student for ROTC Advanced Course. PREREQ: Permission of Chair. Su

M S 301 Leading Small Organizations I 3 credits. Increases student's confidence as military instructor/leader. Prepares students to make a branch selection during the senior year. Preparation for ROTC Advanced Camp. Laboratory: advanced leadership exercises, adventure training, orienteering. PREREQ: ROTC Basic Course or permission of Chair. F

M S 302 Leading Small Organizations II 3 credits. Introduction to fundamentals of combat operations. Preparation for ROTC Advanced Camp. Develops leadership abilities and confidence and prepares for military service as a commissioned officer. Laboratory: advanced leadership exercises, adventure training, and tactical operations. PREREQ: M S 301 or permission of Chair. S

M S 310 Advanced Course Physical Fitness 1 credit. Participate in, plan and lead physical fitness programs. Develop the physical fitness requirements of an officer in the Army. Emphasis on developing an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one's life. May be repeated for up to 8 credits by contracted Military Science students. PREREQ OR COREQ: M S 301, M S 302, M S 401 or M S 402. F, S

M S 380 ROTC Nurse Summer Training Program 3 credits. A 3 week/120 hour clinical leadership experience with an Army Nurse Corps preceptor at an Army hospital in the US or overseas after completion of ROTC Advanced Camp. PREREQ: ROTC Advanced Camp and one clinical nursing course.

M S 390 Military Science Practicum 6 credits. Culmination of M S 301 and 302. ROTC Adventure Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis, Washington. NOTE: This is required of all contracted students normally between the junior and senior year. PREREQ: M S 302. Su

M S 401 Leadership Challenges and Goal Setting 3 credits. Prepares the prospective Army officer for initial assignment. Covers military staff organization and responsibilities, military intelligence, logistics, maintenance and supply; and an introduction to military justice. PREREQ: M S 302. F

M S 402 Transition to Lieutenant 3 credits. Includes discussions of ethics and human relations, counseling techniques, military service in today's society, obligations and responsibilities of an officer, and coordination and operation of the military team. Students receive leadership assessments. PREREQ: M S 401. S

M S 493 Military Science Internship 6 credits. Provides senior students with the opportunity to apply the skills they have learned. Requires simultaneous membership in ROTC and Army Reserve/National Guard. PREREQ: Permission of Chair. Graded S/U. D

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: July 2003