The Military Science Department offers students, as an adjunct to their major field of study, the opportunity to achieve commissions as Army officers in either the active Army, the U.S. Army Reserve, or National Guard through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. The program develops leadership, managerial potential, and the qualities of self-discipline, confidence, personal integrity, and individual responsibility. Emphasis is on learning through doing. The department’s program prepares the student for a period of service as a commissioned officer in the United States Army, a service that can ultimately lead either to a military career or to a more responsible place in the civilian world. The curriculum is divided into two parts: Basic and Advanced. The Basic course normally encompasses the freshman and sophomore academic years. Basic-course students are under no obligation to enter into a contractual agreement with the U.S. Government. The advanced course encompasses juniors and seniors who have successfully completed the on-campus basic course. Students who have attended a special six-week summer training program, students who have previous Junior ROTC training, and qualified veterans may also be admitted into the advanced course. Upon enrollment in the Advanced Course, the student enters into a contractual agreement with the United States Government, whereby the student agrees to accept a commission in the United States Army for a period of active or reserve duty after his graduation. The government, in return, provides a monthly stipend of $300-500 for up to ten months of the school year.
Students may compete for ROTC two-year and three-year scholarships during their freshman or sophomore year. Scholarships can pay full tuition and fees, annual book allowance of $1,200, and $300-500 monthly during the remainder of the winner’s undergraduate education. A Leaders Training Course summer program is available to selected students who have been unable to complete the normal two-year progression of Military Science. Students attend a six-week program at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This program, in conjunction with the normal two-year advanced program of Military Science, is designed to prepare the student for a period of service as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. The program provides an introduction to a variety of military-related topics. It involves instruction in map reading, marksmanship, first aid, tactics, fundamentals of leadership, and basic military skills.