Undergraduate Catalog

Military Science

Chairperson: LTC Mark Christiansen
Advisor: Mr. Larry Pickett
Office: Horrabin Hall 103
Telephone: (309) 298-1161
Fax: (309) 298-3290
Website: wiu.edu/ROTC

Program Offering and Location

  • Minor in Military Science: Macomb

Faculty

LTC Christiansen, MAJ Aquino, CPT Natalie, MSG Alsopskeel, SFC Pilkington, Mr. Pickett.

Program Information

The Military Science program provides instruction and practical experience in leadership and management that will help students succeed in any desired career, civilian or military. Students take Military Science courses while majoring in any discipline at the University. Those students seeking a commission in the United States Army may minor in Military Science if they desire.

Requirements for Commission

  1. Completion of requirements for baccalaureate degree.
  2. Departmental core in Military Science under the Four-Year Program (18 s.h.)
    1. MS 111—Leadership and Personal Development and MS 112—Introduction to Tactical Leadership (2 s.h.)
    2. MS 211—Innovative Team Leadership and MS 212—Foundations of Tactical Leadership (4 s.h.)
    3. MS 311—Adaptive Tactical Leadership and MS 312—Leadership in Changing Environments (6 s.h.)
    4. Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) (6 s.h. placement credit)
    5. MS 411—Developing Adaptive Leaders and MS 412—Leadership in a Complex World (6 s.h.)
  3. Departmental core in Military Science under the Two-Year Program (18 s.h.)
    1. Cadet Basic Camp or equivalent training (6 s.h. placement credit)
    2. MS 311—Adaptive Tactical Leadership and MS 312—Leadership in Changing Environments (6 s.h.)
    3. Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) (up to 6 s.h. placement credit)
    4. MS 411—Developing Adaptive Leaders and MS 412—Leadership in a Complex World (6 s.h.)
  4. Maintain a University cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better.
  5. Meet prescribed medical and fitness standards.
  6. Completion of History 304 (earning a minimum grade of “C”).

Advanced Placement

Students with prior military service may receive credit for advanced placement.

Minor

Minor in Military Science 18 s.h.
  1. Military Science core (MS 311, 312, 411, 412) at the junior and senior level 12 s.h.
  2. HIST 304 3 s.h.
  3. Approved elective in an area other than the student’s major 3 s.h.

Note: Electives must be approved by Professor of Military Science.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Western Illinois University Army ROTC has three extra-curricular teams: Color Guard, Ranger Team, and Rifle Club. These activities involve team competition with other universities. A description of these may be found in the Student Handbook.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

The Western Illinois University Department of Military Science offers a variety of opportunities for qualified students to earn a commission as an officer in the United States Army. Commissions are earned through ROTC while the students obtain their bachelor’s or master’s degree in the academic discipline of their choice. Many students earn their degrees with federal or state ROTC scholarship assistance from ROTC. The opportunities to obtain a commission include a four-year program and a two-year program.

Four-Year Program

The Four-Year Program consists of the Basic Course (first two years) and the Advance Course (second two years). University academic credit is earned for all coursework satisfactorily completed.

Basic Course: Basic Course enrollment is usually limited to freshmen and sophomores. Each year, freshmen and sophomores compete for several ROTC state and federal scholarships. Basic Course students do not incur any military obligation. During the period of the Basic Course, the students decide whether they want to enter the Advance Couse. The Department of Military Science evaluates their qualifications and determines their eligibility for acceptance.

Advanced Course: Advanced Course students include all students who have successfully completed the Basic Course or received advanced placement credit for the Basic Course. Entry into the Advanced Course is a joint decision by the student and the Department of Military Science. Requirements include being of good character, a U.S. citizen, under 33 years of age (waiver possible) upon graduation and commissioning, medically qualified, not a conscientious objector, and maintaining a 2.50 grade point average. Students who sign a contract with the government earn a $420 tax-free stipend each month during the academic year. Advanced Course students incur a military obligation in either the Army Reserve, National Guard, or Active Army. Students can be guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty or National Guard Duty. Coursework for the Advanced Course spans two years and is discussed in the Military Science course descriptions. Advanced Course students also attend a Cadet Leadership Course of approximately 36 days duration, normally between their junior and senior years. Students receive pay, travel allowance, and room and meal plan while attending the course.

Two-Year Program

The Two-Year Program permits the student who has successfully completed the ROTC Cadet Basic Camp, or who has prior service as Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserves, to enter directly into the Advanced Course Program. The ROTC Cadet Basic Camp is approximately four weeks long and provides military training in such subjects as leadership, rappelling, map reading, rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, tactics, communications, first aid, and water survival. The student attending ROTC Cadet Basic Camp is paid to attend and receives free lodging, meals, and college credit (up to 6 elective hours). There is no service obligation connected with the course. The course is designed to provide the student with Basic Course credit. Students wishing to attend the Cadet Basic Camp should apply early in the Spring semester.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships

Federal and state ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive merit basis to qualified students. Scholarships are awarded based upon merit, not financial need. Scholarships are awarded based upon evidence of scholastic ability, military aptitude, and demonstrated leadership ability. The Federal ROTC scholarship covers either tuition and most fees, or room and board. Either option provides a book allowance of $1,200. The State ROTC scholarship pays only tuition and some fees.

Financial Aid

During the last two years of Military Science, contracted Advanced Course students receive a total subsistence allowance of approximately $9,500 tax-free. This allowance is received in monthly installments during the school year. Simultaneous Membership Program cadets (those serving in drilling National Guard or Army Reserve units) also receive drill pay equivalent to E-5, but perform duties commensurate with those of a junior officer.

Army Nurse Corps Program

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides an opportunity for college Nursing students to receive practical, hands-on leadership experience. The ROTC courses provide a chance for students to develop management, communication, and decision-making skills. Students interested in obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may enroll in ROTC. Students may enroll as a freshman, sophomore, or as late as an entering college junior. Upon completion of the program, students obtain nursing experience as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. Specialized financial and educational benefits are available to qualified students.

Commission as a Second Lieutenant

Upon completion of University and ROTC requirements, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in one of 17 branches determined by a market-model system that incorporates individual preference with a holistic assessment of academic performance, physical fitness, and leadership attributes. Newly commissioned officers may fulfill their service obligation in the Active Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard. Service in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard is an ideal way of blending a full-time civilian career with part-time service to the country as an officer. Students may also request to delay their military duties to attend graduate school or to attain professional degrees. Students desiring further information should visit the Department of Military Science in Horrabin Hall, Room 103, or call (309) 298-1161.

Course Descriptions

MILITARY SCIENCE (MS)

111 Leadership and Personal Development. (1) A course designed to introduce students to Army ROTC and the organization of the U.S. Army and its role in American society. Teach fundamental concepts in leadership in both classroom and outdoor activities. Increase self-confidence through optional activities in rappelling, leadership reaction course, and basic marksmanship.

112 Introduction to Tactical Leadership. (1) A continuation of MS 111. This course continues to build a knowledge base of soldier skills such as first aid, marksmanship, and writing. Expands students’ opportunity for and knowledge of leadership skills through basic drill, rappelling, and the leadership reaction course.

211 Innovative Team Leadership. (2) Students participate in discussions of selected leadership principles and the methods of military instruction. Introduction to a Leadership Development Program which assesses using 16 leader dimensions. Instruction in basic individual military skills.

212 Foundations of Tactical Leadership. (2) Continuation of discussions of personal leadership development and individual military skills. Exercises in team building, small unit leadership techniques, and military map reading.

298 Individual Studies. (1–3) Special study in Military Science carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Limited to enrolled Military Science students. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

311 Adaptive Tactical Leadership. (3) Theories and techniques of military leadership. Concentration on leader-group interaction, organizational demands, communication, and counseling. Practical opportunities to lead small groups, receive assessment, and lead in situations of increasing complexity. Application of leadership techniques in small unit tactics and preparation for Advanced Camp. Prerequisites: MS 111 and 112, and MS 211 and 212, or Cadet Initial Entry Training, and consent of the department chairperson. Field trips required. 3 hrs. lect.; 2 hrs. lab.

312 Leadership in Changing Environments. (3) Continues methodology of MS 311. Tactical organization and operations, and small unit leadership of rifle squad and platoon in the attack and defense. Written and oral presentations of operations orders, reports, and control systems. Proficiency in land navigation. Preparation for Advanced Camp. Prerequisites: MS 311 and consent of the department chairperson. Field trips required. 3 hrs. lect.; 2 hrs. lab.

411 Developing Adaptive Leaders. (3) Designed to prepare the cadet for transition to lieutenant. Students will learn the expectations and duties of the newly commissioned officer, including command and staff functions through classroom discussion. They will also function as a battalion level command and staff element. MS 411 will also continue to improve presentation skills, after action review/reports, Army Training Doctrine, operation orders, and military justice. Prerequisites: MS 312 and consent of the department chairperson. 3 hrs. lect.; 2 hrs. lab.

412 Leadership in a Complex World. (3) Culmination of the leader development process at the pre-commissioning level, preparing for the transition from cadet to lieutenant. Training is to solidify the commitment to officership, reinforce individual competencies, and offer practical leader experiences. Includes the study and application of oral and written communications, leadership/professional ethics, logistics, and maintenance. Prerequisites: MS 411 and /or consent of the department chairperson. 3 hrs. lect.; 2 hrs. lab.

498 Individual Studies. (1–3) Special study in Military Science carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Limited to enrolled Military Science students. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.