MILITARY SCIENCE
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MILITARY SCIENCE DANIEL J. LAFOUNTAIN, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, MS, Chairperson FACULTY: Instructors: Master Sergeant Aaron Coombs, Sergeant First Class Guadalupe Trevino. General Information The Military Science Program is open to both male and female students. Freshman and sophomores incur NO OBLIGATION to the U.S. Army by enrolling in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program Basic Course. Additionally, military science courses are free of charge to all full-time students (minimum of 12 credits, excluding military science courses) and earn academic credits which may apply towards graduation requirements. Those who desire to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard must sign a contract no later than the second semester of their junior year in the program. All students who graduate with their undergraduate degree and fulfill all commissioning requirements are eligible to earn the Leadership Studies Minor on top of their respective academic major. Aims and Objectives The primary purpose of the Department of Military Science is to develop the future officer leadership of the United States Army and to motivate young people to become better citizens. Students enrolled in the ROTC Program receive instruction in the fundamentals of leadership with emphasis on loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Army ROTC is one of the best leadership courses in the country. During classes, leadership labs, physical training and field training exercises, students learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups and conduct missions as an Officer in the United States Army. The program objectives focus on the overall development of a student to lead Soldiers and organizations in the 21st century. 1. Students develop into leaders of tomorrow as Commissioned Officers in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. 2. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of leadership with emphasis on loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage and ethics. 3. Students assess the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership within teams, groups, and organizations through direction, problem solving, listening and effective communications. 4. Students are challenged to explore the dimensions of creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles within team dynamics through leadership attributes and competencies in relation to military operations. 5. Students practice, study and evaluate adaptive leadership skills as they are presented with challenging scenarios related to squad and platoon tactical operations receiving feedback on their leadership attributes and actions. 6. Students transition from an academic student focus to a military student focus by holding leadership positions with the Cadet Battalion training, organizing, mentoring and evaluating underclass students within the Military Science Program. Program of Instruction The Department of Military Science offers both a four-year and two-year program of instruction. Students begin the Military Science program during their freshman year, but may enter as late as their junior year. a. Four-Year Program. This program consists of the Basic Course (freshman and sophomore years) and the Advanced Course (junior and senior years). During the Basic Course,