Military Science Program

Overview

The Military Science Department is embedded within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as an interdisciplinary program, but does not offer an academic degree. The mission of the department is derived directly from regulations governing Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AROTC), which are issued by the U.S. Army Cadet Command and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and cannot be modifiable by this department.

Freshmen Year Learning Outcomes

The student will have a working knowledge of the following areas: The Role of the Army, Roles and Origins of the Army, Army Customs and Traditions, Branches (Jobs) in the Army and Military Operations and Tactics, U.S. Army leadership and character development.

Sophomore Year Learning Outcomes

The student will have a working knowledge of the following areas: The Role of an Officer, Role of the Officer and Noncommissioned Officer, communications, code of conduct, first aid, principles of war and military operations and tactics, and begin to apply U.S. Army leadership through observed activities and demonstrate character development traits.

Junior Year Learning Outcomes

The student will have a working knowledge of the following areas: Small Unit Training, Command and Staff Functions, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare, Law of War, Weapons, Human Behavior, Math Reasoning, Computer Science and Military Operations and Tactics; Cadets will actively analyze character development and assess leadership skills.

Senior Year Learning Outcomes

The student will have a working knowledge of the following areas: Transition to Becoming an Officer, Military Justice, Intelligence and Electronic Warfare, Army Personnel Management, Army Logistics, Post and Installation Support and Military Operations and Tactics; Cadets will internalize and adhere to the U.S. Army's profession through active leadership and congruence of character development.

The mission of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AROTC) is to commission the future leaders of the United States Army. Since ROTC produces over 65 percent of the Army’s Officer Corps, our task is one of the most important undertakings in the Army and our country today. We seek top quality college students. We train these potential leaders, assess their abilities, and challenge them with the highest standards of profession/professionalism. Those who successfully complete the program, receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. A commission as an Army officer affords the opportunity to pursue a profession in one or several of the 300 different jobs held by Army officers. Students may request to serve as an officer in either the active army, or part time in the Army Reserve or National Guard. Regardless of the method of service, officers in today’s Army can be proud to know that they are doing their share in the defense of the United States of America.

The ISU Military Science program is divided into two segments, the basic program and the advanced program. The basic program (courses numbered 1010-2900) is designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores. No military obligation is incurred by a person participating in the basic program. The basic program is designed to be informative and to acquaint students with the military as a profession. The basic program or an allowed substitute is a prerequisite for the advanced program. Financial assistance is available on a competitive basis.

Persons interested in Military Science should visit the department located on the second floor of the Armory (east side).

Basic Program

The basic program courses are primarily for freshmen and sophomore students and, except for persons with prior military service and basic training graduates, are required for entry into the advanced program. Each scholarship cadet in the Basic Program receives a monthly allowance for up to 10 months. The curriculum is designed to train freshmen and sophomores in individual and team skills. It also helps the Professor of Military Science identify individual leader developmental needs.

Advanced Program

The advanced program courses are for students who have completed the basic program (or received equivalent credit) and are mandatory for potential commissioning upon contracting at the beginning of their junior year. Each cadet receives a monthly allowance for up to 10 months. These courses are primarily taught to academic juniors and seniors.

Successful completion normally obligates the student to military service on active or reserve duty. In addition to the advanced program of study, a student (cadet) will be expected to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (precondition for commissioning) each semester and continually maintain military appearance standards in both personal grooming and uniform. Physical fitness training is regularly conducted outside of class and laboratory hours in a separate course, MS 1500 Army Physical Readiness. Students are encouraged to attend and participate in this class.

Professional Military Science Education (PME) coursework outside of the military science curriculum is also a precondition to commissioning. The PME component consists of Basic Academic proficiency standards. These standards are explained to prospective students as they consider enrollment in the advanced program. Army Uniforms will be worn at least once a week. The 300-level courses are designed to prepare cadets for the Advanced Course, which is a 37 day summer internship/training program where cadets are trained to Army standards, develop leadership skills, and have their officer potential evaluated. The 400-level courses are the final preparation for commissioning as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Students must meet academic alignment criteria and receive basic program credit before entering the advanced program.

Military Studies Minor

The College of Liberal Arts and Science offers a minor in Military Studies. Requirements for the minor include taking a minimum of 15 credits of ROTC instruction, which may be taken from one or a number of the ROTC programs.