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The ROTC program builds students’ leadership expertise, communication and decision-making skills, as well as self-confidence, all of which can be applied immediately while still in college or upon graduation from college. The leadership and management skills taught in ROTC are in high demand in the civilian market as well as in the military.

Instruction and training given both in the classroom and at Army installations range from strategic studies to tactical exercises and include subjects from air-land battle doctrine to rappelling, marksmanship, military history, and operational considerations.

New lieutenants have options for the job (branch) in which they will work. Educational delays may be requested for graduate school in medical fields and in law. All grades received for Military Science courses are included in cumulative grade point ratios.


Freshman Year: Preparing for Success as an Army Officer


MS 101 - Fundamental Military Concepts
Credit: 1

The course introduces students to the basic officer competencies, establishes a firm foundation for continued study in higher ROTC courses, and instructs basic life skills pertaining to personal fitness and interpersonal communication skills.  students will be introduced to the U.S. Army values, national values, and expected ethical behavior. Students will be exposed to the unique duties and responsibilities of officers and the expectations of selfless service, dedication, and duty to the nation. Designed to introduce basic soldier skills and squad-level tactical operations. Attention is devoted to development of leadership potential through practical exercises both in and out of the classroom.

MS 102 - Basic Leadership
Credit: 1

Examines the leadership process as affected by individual differences and styles, group dynamics, and personality behavior of leaders. Will introduce a generic model of problem solving. Teaches the basic skills that underlie effective problem solving in different work environments. Instructs how to relate the problem-solving model and basic problem solving skills to the resolution of military problems. Students will experience an introduction of fundamental leadership concepts and examine factors that influence leader and group effectiveness. Designed to teach basic soldier skills and squad level tactical operations. Student involvement in briefings and hands on practical exercises. Attention is devoted to development of leadership potential through practical exercises both in and out of the classroom.


Sophomore Year: The Role of an Officer


MS 201 - Advanced Leadership and Management
Credits: 2

Develops basic leadership abilities and management skills through instruction and hands on practical exercises. Introduces principles and techniques of effective written and oral communication. Teaches practical leader skills and examines the principle of subordinate motivation and organizational change. Students will apply leadership and problem solving to a complex case study/simulation. Class is designed to develop individual team skills, decision-making abilities, and test basic tactical proficiency skills as well as improve planning and organizational skills both in and out of the classroom environment. Teaches hands-on soldier skills and squad-level tactical operations. Attention is devoted to development of leadership potential through practical exercises both in and out of the classroom.

MS 202 - Leadership, Tactics and Officership
Credits: 2

Further develops leadership skills by focusing on conventional basic squad and small unit tactics and introduces students to the basic tactical principles of maneuver. Examines the roots of national and Army values and better citizenship. Allows students to apply principles of ethical decision-making and resolve ethical issues in case studies. Examines the legal and historical foundations and duties and function of the Army officer. Students will analyze the roles officers played in the transition of the Army from the Vietnam Conflict to the 21st Century. Teaches basic soldier skills and squad-level tactical operations. Special attention is devoted to development of leadership potential through practical exercises both in and out of the classroom.

MS 204 - Leader's Training (Basic Camp)
Credits: 4

Conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, home of the United States Armor Branch, during the summer months, covering a training period of approximately 30 days of paid training and excitement. The Department of Military Science ROTC battalion provides travel to and from Fort Knox. While at camp you will meet students from all over the nation while earning approximately $800 in pay and receive free room and board while at camp. While at camp, you may apply for a two-year ROTC scholarship to cover up to $16,000 at selected high-cost universities to pay for your remaining two years of college, $510 annually for books, and earn a monthly stipend of over $200 for 10 months per year. The Basic Camp is a way to catch up on missed Military Science courses in order to qualify the student to contract into the Advanced ROTC Course at USI.


Military History


MS 241 - U.S. Military History I (1740-1900)
Credits: 3

The course will focus on U.S. military activity from the French and Indian War through the Spanish American War. Emphasis is on issues in command, impacts of technology, and the evolution of strategy and tactics in modern warfare. Students will conduct a battle analysis using a variety of techniques.

MS 242 - U.S. Military History II (1900-Present)
Credits: 3

The course will focus on U.S. military activity from before WWI through the Persian Gulf War as well as highlighted concepts in contemporary peacekeeping operations. Emphasis is on issues in command, impacts of technology, and the evolution of strategy and tactics in modern warfare. Students will conduct a battle analysis using a variety of techniques.


Junior Year: Small Tactical Units


MS 301 - Small Unit Leadership
Credits: 3

Course is designed for those students who contract with Army ROTC to continue their military studies in pursuit of a commission as on officer into the Army following graduation from college. Course focus is to build cadet leadership competencies in preparation for attendance and successful completion of ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Provides an in-depth review of the features and execution of the Leadership Development Program, providing the cadet with periodic assessment of performance in leadership positions. Students will study squad and platoon-level tactics, troop leading procedures, mission analysis, land navigation skills training, military operations plans and orders development, execution of squad battle drills, and basic briefing techniques.

MS 302 - Small Unit Operations
Credits: 3

Course is a follow-on module to the MS 301 class, preparing cadets for attendance and successful completion of ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Focus will center on advanced self-development through the Leadership Development Program and an advanced-learning environment of doctrinal leadership and tactical operations at the small unit level. Cadets will plan and conduct individual and collective skill training for offensive operations and a Field Training Exercise during the spring semester. Cadets will be exposed to the developmental counseling program throughout the course period.


Senior Year: Transition to Becoming an Officer


MS 401 - Leadership, Management, and Ethics
Credits: 3

Course is designed to develop, train, and transition the advanced course graduate from cadet to lieutenant for service as an officer. Cadet will study Army staff organizations, how they function, and the processes of the army's hierarchy organizational structure. Students will learn in-depth counseling responsibilities/methods, officer and non-commissioned officer evaluation report development, officer evaluation report support form development, and training plan development. Course analyzes the legal aspects of decision-making and leadership in action. Course will expose cadets to the foundations of leadership, operational law, and the key aspects of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. Cadets will receive training on basic leader responsibilities to foster an ethical command climate and how to meet moral obligations, as well as leader responsibilities to accommodate subordinate spiritual needs.

MS 402 - Transition to Lieutenant
Credits: 3

Continued advanced development and transition of the advanced camp graduate from cadet to lieutenant for service as an officer.  Course is a follow-on module to the MS 401 class. Course will expose cadets to the in-depth study of leadership, operational law, and the key aspects of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice with a hands-on approach with interactive scenarios being utilized in class. Students will undergo hands-on training and instruction in Joint Ethics regulations, joint strategic level operations, study of army administrative and logistics management, in-depth counseling techniques, and duty at first military assignment. Course will cover the Army's training philosophy, METL development, equipment readiness, and rules of engagement during deployment operations. Students also will receive training in personal awareness financial planning.