Military Science

Practical application of military skills taught in MSCI basic and advanced courses. Hands-on training in basic soldier skills, squad and platoon tactics, weapons, communications, and organizational leadership. Corequisite for MSCI 121/122, 221/222, 331/332, 441/442.

MSCI 121 — Introduction to Leadership. 2 hours.

This course is an introduction to fundamental components of service as an officer in the U.S. Army. These initial lessons form the building blocks of progressive lessons in values, fitness, leadership, and officership. This course also addresses life skills, including fitness, communications theory and practice (written and oral), interpersonal relationships, and the ethics of Christian service. Emphasis on hands-on learning also includes blocks of instruction on map-reading, orienteering, marksmanship, and rappelling, as well as weekly leadership laboratories, one weekend field trip, and physical training. Upon completion of this semester, the cadets should be prepared to receive more complex leadership instruction. Corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 122 — Leadership and Decision Making. 2 hours.

Builds upon the fundamentals introduced in the previous semester by focusing on leadership theory and decision-making. Life skills lessons in this semester include problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership theory, followership, group interaction, goal-setting, and feedback mechanisms. Upon completion of this semester, cadets should be prepared to advance to more complex leadership instruction concerning the dynamics of organizations. Additionally, they will be increasingly required to demonstrate knowledge of leadership fundamentals and communications (written and oral). Hands-on learning also includes blocks of instruction on map-reading, orienteering, marksmanship, and rappelling, as well as weekly leadership laboratories, one weekend field trip, and physical training. Corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 221 — Leadership and Problem-Solving. 2 hours.

This course builds on the fundamentals introduced in the first-year curriculum. Using practical exercise, cadets must increasingly apply communications and leadership skills to solve increasingly complex problems. The course concludes with a major leadership and problem-solving case study that draws on virtually all of the classroom instruction received in the first three semesters of the Basic Course. The course also includes one weekend field trip, weekly leadership laboratories, and physical training. Upon completion of this semester, cadets should be well grounded in the fundamental principles of leadership, and be prepared to intensify the practical application of their studies during the Advanced Course. Corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 222 — Small Unit Leadership and Tactics. 2 hours.

Basic Course capstone that focuses principally on officership, providing an extensive examination of the unique purpose, roles, and obligations of commissioned officers. It includes a detailed look at the origin of the Army's institutional values and their practical application in decision-making and leadership. Introduces fundamentals and principles of small unit tactics. Upon completion of this semester, cadets will possess a fundamental understanding of both leadership and officership. They will be able to apply this understanding in real-world situations, and be mentally and physically prepared to shoulder the responsibility of a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Includes one weekend field training exercise, weekly leadership laboratories, and physical training. Corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 225 — Leader’s Training Course. 4 hours.

An alternative to the Basic Course above, this course offers a possibility for students who have not considered ROTC until late in their sophomore year an opportunity for a scholarship and entry into the Advanced Course. The sole purpose for attending is to qualify for the Advanced Course. Students contract prior to attending, and, therefore, must be American citizens to attend. This is a 28-day summer training course conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It is designed to teach the fundamentals of soldiering and leadership. Students gain personal confidence through practical, hands-on exercises, including land navigation, rifle marksmanship, first aid, individual and unit tactics, obstacle courses, and rappelling. Includes a military stipend of approximately $450.

MSCI 230 — Northern Warfare. 1 hour.

A two week course conducted in Alaska. Provides training in cold weather survival and small unit tactics. This course trains squad and platoon level leaders in the knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, use of basic cold weather clothing and equipment, winter field craft, snowshoe/ski techniques, and winter/cold regions navigation and route planning. Attendees will receive comprehensive instruction/training materials enabling them to implement basic cold weather and ski training programs within their units. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course. Grading is pass/fail. Prerequisites: successful completion of MSCI 221 and 222 and approval of the Department of Military Science.

MSCI 235 — Air Assault Operation. 1 hour.

A two week course conducted at an Army installation in the continental United States which provides students with training in helicopter operations. It includes sling loading and rappelling. Students are required to submit an After Action Review (AAR) discussing the practical applications of Air Mobile and Air Assault Operations in modern warfare. Grading is pass/fail. Prerequisites: successful completion of MSCI 221 and 222 and approval of the Department of Military Science.

MSCI 240 — Airborne Operations. 1 hour.

A three week course conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia. This course trains students in military ski diving techniques with practical applications. Students are required to submit an After Action Review (AAR) discussing the practical applications of Airborne Operations in modern warfare. Grading is pass/fail. Prerequisites: successful completion of MSCI 221 and 222 and approval of the Department of Military Science.

MSCI 331 — Tactical Leadership Development I. 4 hours.

Focus of instruction is on leadership competencies using small unit operations as the primary mode of instruction. Cadets assume leadership positions within the Rolling Thunder Battalion, and actually apply the theory they have learned in the Basic Course by planning and executing small unit training. The semester begins with instruction in the Leadership Development Process (LDP) used throughout the academic year and at the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) to assess and develop leadership. Cadets will focus on troop-leading procedures, motivational theory, small unit training, operations orders, and risk assessment. Course includes weekly leadership lab, one weekend field trip, and physical training. Prerequisite: Basic Course credit; corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 332 — Tactical Leadership Development II. 4 hours.

A continuation of MSCI 331 emphasizing doctrinal leadership and tactical operations at the small unit level. It includes opportunities to plan and conduct individual and collective skill training for offensive operations to gain leadership and tactical experience. This critical semester synthesizes the various components of training, leadership, and team-building taught over the last three years, and prepares cadets for their summer experience at LDAC. Course includes weekly leadership lab, one weekend field trip, and physical training. Prerequisite: MSCI 331; corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 336 — Nurse Summer Training Program. 2 hours.

Advanced three-week practicum for leadership development in nursing. Nurses will train at one of several Army hospitals throughout the United States and Europe. Approximately $700 in military pay, with transportation, room, and board provided. Optional for Army ROTC Advanced Course Nursing students. Prerequisites: MSCI 331 and 332.

MSCI 337 — Cadet Troop Leadership Training. 2 hours.

This two week course conducted at an Army Installation in the continental United States or overseas provides firsthand experience in an Army unit. Students learn about military life and the duties of a lieutenant. This is a four week internship with the Army in which students apply the Army's 16 Leadership Dimensions while working under the direct supervision of a senior Army Officer. Students will receive an Officer Evaluation Report (DA Form 67-9) at the end of the internship. Students will be required to submit an After Action Review (AAR) illustrating how he/she applied the 16 Leadership Dimensions during the internship. Prerequisites: successful completion of MSCI 331, 332, and 338 and approval of the Department of Military Science.

MSCI 338 — Leader Development and Assessment Course. 4 hours.

Approximately 3,500 cadets nationwide will attend LDAC at Fort Lewis, Washington, each year. An Advanced Course requirement, LDAC provides an opportunity to live and work with other cadets from around the country for 32 days. LDAC is a performance-based environment in which cadets can exercise their leadership skills in a variety of field and garrison activities, and cadre can assess leadership potential. Military pay approximately $1,100. Prerequisite: MSCI 332. (Optional four hours credit).

MSCI 380 — Fundamentals of Emergency Management. 3 hours.

Same as SOWK 380.

MSCI 441 — Junior Officer Leadership I. 4 hours.

Focusing on leadership, management, and ethics, MSCI 441 begins the final transition from cadet to lieutenant. The course focuses cadets, early in the year, on attaining apprentice-level knowledge and proficiency in several critical areas they will need to operate effectively as Army officers, including coordinating activities with staffs, counseling theory and practice within the “Army Context,” training management, and ethics. Cadets will continue to sharpen these skills as they perform their roles as cadet officers in the Rolling Thunder Battalion and after commissioning. At the end of this semester, cadets should possess the fundamental skills, attributes, and abilities to operate as competent leaders in the cadet battalion and confidently communicate to subordinate cadets their preparedness to shoulder the responsibilities entrusted to them. Course includes weekly leadership lab, one weekend field trip, and physical training. Prerequisite: MSCI 332; corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 442 — Junior Officer Leadership II. 4 hours.

A continuation of MSCI 441, MSCI 442 completes the transition from cadet to lieutenant. As a follow-up to the ethics instruction in MSCI 441, the course starts with a foundation in the legal aspects of decision-making and leadership. The next modules reinforce previous instruction on the organization of the Army, introduce how to organize for operations from the tactical to strategic level, and introduce administrative and logistical management issues that focus on the fundamentals of soldier and unit-level support. The final module that introduces new information focuses on the often confusing process of changing duty stations and reporting to a new unit. Upon completion of this semester, the cadets will be prepared to shoulder the responsibility of being a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Course includes weekly leadership lab, one weekend field trip, and physical training. Prerequisite: MSCI 441; corequisite: MSCI 022.

MSCI 443 — American Military History. 3 hours.

Introduces cadets to American military history using principles of warfare, threads of continuity, battle analysis, and oral biographies. This course is required for commissioning. Prerequisite: Contracted cadet in sophomore, junior, or senior standing, or approval of instructor.

MSCI 445 — Ranger Challenge Preparation. 1 hour.

An eight week course conducted on campus at Alfred Fortin Villa (ROTC building) that provides hands-on experience in preparation for the intense and rigorous training of the Army Ranger Course. This course is available to enrolled Military Science cadets. Students learn military mountaineering skills, advanced land navigation skills, and advanced survival skills. The course also includes advanced and intense physical training. It concludes with a three-day regional competition at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois involving Army ROTC programs from up to 20 colleges and universities. Students may only be admitted after competing in the Army Physical Fitness Test. Students will be required to submit a written paper using the U.S. Army's After Action Review (AAR) format in which they analyze the effectiveness of their pre-competition training and competition strategies in terms of the actual performance outcomes. They will also attend a breakfast seminar and participate in a roundtable discussion. Maximum enrollment is 22. Grading is pass/fail. Course can be taken maximum 4 times. Prerequisite: approval of the Department of Military Science.