Undergrad. Catalog 07: Army ROTC

Revised May 2007

Military Science (Army ROTC)

Return to Educational Development Services.

West Chester University students are eligible to participate in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program through a formal cross-enrollment agreement with the Widener University Department of Military Science. Army ROTC offers University students the opportunity to graduate with a college degree and a commission in the United States army, Army National Guard, or United States Army Reserve. All 100- and 200-level ROTC classes are taught at West Chester University, while 300- and 400-level Army ROTC classes are conducted on the Widener campus. The 100-400-level leadership lab is taught at Widener.

The Army ROTC program consists of a basic course taken during the freshman and sophomore years, and an advanced course taken during junior and senior years. Successful completion of the basic course is required before placement in the advanced course. Students who participated in Junior ROTC in high school or who have prior military service may receive placement in the advanced courses, which is determined by the army professor of military science. The basic course requirement also may be satisfied through attendance at a five-week Army ROTC Basic Camp at the end of the sophomore year. Students enrolled in the advanced course receive a stipend of $350 for juniors and $400 for seniors per month. Guaranteed National Guard and Reserve Forces options also are available.

Nursing students who complete the four-year or two-year program, obtain their nursing degree, and pass their Nursing Board Examinations are commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps. Two-year (limited) and three-year Army ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive basis. These scholarships pay 100 percent of the student's tuition up to $10,000 and include payment of certain University fees, a book and school supplies subsidy, and a monthly stipend of $250 for freshmen, $300 for sophomores, $350 for juniors, and $400 for seniors.

Application for two- and three-year Army ROTC scholarships must be submitted early in the spring semester of the freshman or sophomore year (respectively). Applications for attendance at the Army ROTC Basic Camp must be submitted early in the spring semester of the sophomore year.

Military science students also participate in orientation and field training activities as part of the military science curriculum. These activities are explorations of historical, organizational, and functional activities of the U.S. Army, conducted in conjunction with the Army Officer Education Program, and are recognized as a part of the process for preparation of cadets for commissioning.

Activities are conducted off campus through tours, field trips, laboratory sessions, and practical field applications. Practical field application activities include marksmanship, land navigation, small units operations, rappelling, water survival, color guard, drill team, rifle team, organized athletics, and other military skills. Varying degrees of health and body risk are involved in these activities. The government of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, its officers, trustees, employees, agents, or students assume no liability for any injury caused during the above activities.

For further information on scholarship and career opportunities, contact the professor of military science, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, 610-499-4097.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
MILITARY SCIENCE

Symbol: MSI

101 Introduction to ROTC I (1) This course is designed to teach self-confidence through team study and activities in basic drill, physical fitness, rappelling, leadership reaction course, first aid, making presentations, and basic marksmanship. Includes fundamental concepts of professional leadership in both classroom and outdoor laboratory environments. One hour and a required leadership lab, plus participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in a weekend exercise also is required.

102 Introduction to Leadership (1) Learn/apply principles of effective leading. Reinforce self-confidence through participation in physically and mentally challenging exercises with upper-division ROTC students. Develop communication skills to improve individual performance and group interaction. Relate organizational ethical values to the effectiveness of a leader. One hour and a required leadership lab, plus participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in a weekend exercise also is required.

201 Self/Team Development (2) Learn/apply ethics-based leadership skills that develop individual abilities and contribute to effective team building. Develop skills in oral presentations, writing concisely, planning events, coordinating group efforts, advanced first aid, land navigation, and basic military tactics. Learn fundamentals of ROTC's Leadership Development Program. Two hours and a required leadership lab, plus required participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in a weekend exercise also is required.

202 Individual/Team Military Tactics (2) Introduction to individual and team aspects of military tactics in small-unit operations. Includes use of radio communications, making safety assessments, movement techniques, planning for team safety/security, and methods of pre-execution checks. Practical exercises with upper-division ROTC students. Learn techniques for training others as an aspect of continued leadership development. Two hours and a required leadership lab, plus required participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in a weekend exercise also is required.

301 Leading Small Organizations I (3) Series of practical opportunities to lead small groups, receive personal assessments and encouragement, and lead again in situations of increasing complexity. Uses small-unit defensive tactics and opportunities to plan and conduct training for lower-division students to develop these skills as vehicles to practice leading. Three hours and a required leadership lab, plus required participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in one weekend exercise also is required, and one or two more weekend exercises may be offered for participation. PREREQ: Army ROTC advanced course standing or approval of the professor of military science.

302 Leading Small Organizations II (3) Continues methodology of MSI 301. Analyze tasks, prepare written or oral guidance for team members to accomplish tasks, delegate tasks, and supervise. Plan for and adapt to the unexpected in organizations under stress. Examine and apply lessons from leadership case studies as well as the importance of ethical decision making in setting a positive climate that enhances team performance. Three hours and a required leadership lab, plus required participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in one weekend exercise and three other one-day exercises is required. PREREQ: MSI 301.

401 Leadership Challenges and Goal Setting (3) Plan, conduct, and evaluate activities of the ROTC cadet organization. Articulate goals and put plans into action to attain them. Assess organizational cohesion and develop strategies to improve it. Develop confidence in skills to lead people and manage resources. Learn/apply various Army policies and programs in this effort. Three hours and a required leadership lab, plus required participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in one weekend exercise also is required, and one or two more weekend exercises may be offered for optional participation. PREREQ: MSI 301 and MSI 302.

402 Transition to Lieutenant (2) Continues the methodology from MSI 401. Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas. Refine counseling and motivating techniques. Examine aspects of tradition and law as related to leading as an officer in the Army. Prepare for a future as a successful Army lieutenant. Three hours and a required leadership lab, plus required participation in three, one-hour sessions for physical fitness. Participation in one weekend exercise also is required, and one or two more weekend exercises may be offered for optional participation. PREREQ: MSI 401.

Additional Requirements. Students enrolled in the Army ROTC program are required to complete communications, computer literacy, and military history courses prior to commissioning.