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,

students must complete four courses (two credit hours each) and four labs (one credit hour each). The Basic Course provides a general knowledge of the U.S. Army (to include career opportunities), development of selected leadership traits, such as poise and selfconfidence, and instruction on basic military skills. b. Entry into the Advanced Course requires completion of the Basic Course. During the

Advanced Course, students qualify for a U.S. Army commission, by completing four courses (two credit hours each) and four labs (one credit hour each), and attending the Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky between their junior and senior academic years. During the school year, contracted students receive a non-taxable subsistence allowance of $450 per month. c. Two-Year Program. This program allows direct entry into the Advanced Course via these methods: (1) Compress the two year Basic Course into a single year. (2) Attend the Cadet Initial Entry Training Course (CIET) (a four week program completed during the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky). (3) Complete Basic Training through one of the Armed Forces. (4) Being a participant in a 4-year JROTC Program. c. Professional Military Education. Whether the student chooses the four-year or two-year program, all ROTC students must take and pass HIST 282 American Military History prior to commissioning as a second lieutenant.

Financial Assistance

ROTC merit based scholarships are available that pay full tuition and fees, a $1,200 annual book allowance, plus $420 per month non-taxable subsistence allowance for ten months each school year. Scholarship recipients may also qualify to receive a room and board incentive. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to include grade point average, physical fitness, medical condition and legal record. Advancing freshman and sophomores may compete for three and two-year scholarships, respectively, regardless of current ROTC participation. There are also multiple scholarship and financial assistance opportunities through the United States Army Reserves and the Army National Guard specifically for ROTC cadets.

Military Science Student Activities

Military Science cadre and staff encourage students to participate in college and civic activities. The Ranger Challenge Team is equivalent to a varsity sport and is one of the most challenging activities offered through the Military Science Department. The 10 person team competes in various activities to include a physical fitness test, a 10 kilometer ruck march, the one-ropebridge, a hand-grenade assault course and an orienteering competition. The color guard is a student run organization that presents the national and state colors in uniform at freshman commencement, graduations, sporting events and other special functions.

A suggested Military Science Curriculum

FRESHMAN Fall

MLTS 101

MLTS 103**

SOPHOMORE Fall

MLTS 201

MLTS 203** Spring

MLTS 102

MLTS 104**

Spring

MLTS 202

MLTS 204**

JUNIOR Fall

MLTS 301

MLTS 303** SENIOR Fall

MLTS 401

MLTS 403** Spring

MLTS 302

MLTS 304**

Spring

MLTS 402

MLTS 404

** Leadership Lab counts as 1 credit and should be taken each semester. All graduating ROTC students who earn their commission will earn the Leadership Studies Minor along with their academic degree major.

Cadets may also declare the Leadership Studies minor through the completion of the following Military Science coursework.

MLTS Core Courses

(24 credit hours – required) 2 Introduction to the Army/MLTS 101 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 103

2 Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership/MLTS 102 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 104

2 Leadership and Decision-making/MLTS 201 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 203

2 Army Doctrine and Team Development/MLTS 202 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 204

2 Training Management and the Warfighting Functions/MLTS 301 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 303

2 Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations/MLTS 302 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 304

2 The Army Officer/MLTS 401 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 403

2 Company Grade Leadership/MLTS 402 1 Leadership Lab/MLTS 404

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

MLTS 101: Introduction to the Army

This course introduces students to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Students learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, goal setting, time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership, and the Army profession. The focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of Army leadership dimensions while gaining a big picture understanding of the ROTC program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. Corequisite: MLTS 103 2 credits, Fall

MLTS 102: Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership

This course overviews leadership fundamentals such as setting direction, problem-solving, listening, presenting briefs, providing feedback, and using effective writing skills. Students explore dimensions of leadership attributes and core leader competencies in the context of practical, hands-on, and interactive exercises. Cadre role models and the building of stronger relationships among the students through common experience and practical interaction are critical aspects of the MLTS 102 experience. Corequisite: MLTS 104 2 credits, Spring

MLTS 103 and MLTS 104: Leadership Labs

Courses supplement instruction in MLTS 101 and MLTS 102. Students participate as a member of a team analyzing leadership styles and provides hands-on practical application of lessons learned in a variety of situations. Corequisite for MLTS 103: MLTS 101 Corequisite for MLTS 104: MLTS 102 1 credit, Fall, Spring

MLTS 201: Leadership and Decision Making

This course explores the dimensions of creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles by examining the team dynamics and two historical leadership theories that form the basis of the Army leadership framework (trait and behavior theories). Students practice aspects of personal motivation and team building in the context of planning, executing, and assessing team exercises and participating in leadership labs. Focus is on continued development of the knowledge of leadership attributes and core leader competencies through an understanding of Army rank, structure, duties and basic aspects of land navigation and squad tactics. Case studies provide tangible context for learning the Soldier’s Creed and Warrior Ethos as they apply on the modern battlefield. Corequisite: MLTS 203 2 credits, Fall

MLTS 202: Army Doctrine and Team Development

This course examines the challenges of leading tactical teams in the complex contemporary operating environment (COE). The course highlights dimensions of terrain analysis, patrolling, and operation orders. Further study of the theoretical basis of the Army Leadership Requirements Model explores the dynamics of adaptive leadership in the context of the military operations. MLTS 202 provides a smooth transition in MLTS 301. Students develop greater self-awareness as they assess their own leadership styles and practice communication and team building skills. COE case studies give insight into the importance and practice of teamwork and tactics in real-world scenarios. Corequisite: MLTS 204 2 credits, Spring

MLTS 203 and MLTS 204: Leadership Labs

Courses supplement instruction in MLTS 201 and MLTS 202. Students will apply the leadership and management skills learned during classroom instruction in order to develop individual competence and confidence in their own leadership abilities. Students participate as a member of a team analyzing leadership styles and provides hands-on practical application of lessons learned in a variety of situations. Corequisite for MLTS 203: MLTS 201 Corequisite for MLTS 204: MLTS 202 1 credit, Fall, Spring

MLTS 205: Cadet Initial Entry Training Course (CIET-C)

This is a four-week summer leadership course for students who have not previously taken the required ROTC courses during their freshman and sophomore years and who wish to enter the ROTC program at the start of their junior year. The course focuses on leadership fundamentals, basic soldier skills, squad tactics, and evaluations on leadership attributes and competencies. Students attending this course must be a junior at the start of the fall semester after the course. Students are required to visit the ROTC Department prior to signing up for the course. 3-6 credits, Summer

Advanced Course

Entrance into the advanced course is required by the completion of one of the following: 1) Army ROTC Basic Course (MLTS 101-MLTS 204), 2) Basic Training, 3) MLTS 205, 4) JROTC.

MLTS 301: Training Management and the War Fighting Function

This course challenges Cadets to study, practice, and evaluate adaptive leadership skills as they are presented with challenging scenarios related to squad tactical operations. Cadets receive systematic and specific feedback on their leadership attributes and actions. Based on such feedback, as well as their own self-evaluations, Cadets continue to develop their leadership and critical thinking abilities. The focus is developing Cadet’s tactical leadership abilities to enable them to succeed at ROTC’s Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Corequisite: MLTS 303 2 credits, Fall

MLTS 302: Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations

This course uses increasingly intense situations while applying team leadership challenges to build Cadet awareness and skills in leading tactical operations at the small unit level. Cadets review aspects of full spectrum operations. They also conduct military briefings and develop proficiency in the operation orders process. The focus is on exploring, evaluating, and developing skills in decision-making, persuading, and motivating team members in the contemporary operation environment (COE). MSL 302 Cadets are evaluated on what they know and do as leaders as they prepare for ROTC’s Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Prerequisite: MLTS 301 Corequisite: MLTS 304 2 credits, Spring

MLTS 303 and MLTS 304: Leadership Labs

The student implements the plans and orders created as part of Advanced Leadership Management I and II. The student will be evaluated on how he or she handles the changing situations, personalities and environments encountered during the labs. Students participate as a member of a team analyzing leadership styles and provides hands-on practical application of lessons learned in a variety of situations. Corequisite for MLTS 303: MLTS 301 Corequisite for MLTS 304: MLTS 302 1 credit, Fall, Spring

MLTS 401: The Army Officer

This course was designed to be student-centric with the ownership of learning on the student, but facilitated by the instructor. Army Officers are expected to be life-long learners who take responsibility and personal initiative for their learning. You must properly conduct your pre- class assignments in order to come to class with a foundation of knowledge on the subject to be taught by your instructor. Doing so will allow us to spend the majority of the class time on specific areas that are least understood from the pre-class assignment rather than having to teach the subject from scratch. Self-study is critical so you can spend more time sharing personal knowledge and experiences with the class. Class will be conducted in an interactive manner with ample opportunities for small group discussions and practical exercises. Everyone will be responsible for contributing to the success of the learning experience. Prerequisite: MLTS 301, MLTS 302 Corequisite: MLTS 403 2 credits, Fall

MLTS 402: Company Grade Leadership

The outcome of this lesson is to have Cadets receive and understand essential information to continue to develop their military knowledge and skills; stay focused on their responsibilities as the ROTC battalion leadership and staff; continue to effectively lead their fellow Cadets and prepare them for future success; and successfully graduate as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. By the end of this course, cadets will be ready to assume duties and responsibilities as a platoon leader in their future unit of assignment. Prerequisite: MLTS 401 Corequisite: MLTS 404 2 credits, Spring