Program Codes:
ROTC
Certificate
Introduction
The Military Science program is open to both male and female students. Freshmen and sophomores incur NO OBLIGATION to the U.S. Army by enrolling in the ROTC program unless they win and accept a scholarship from the Army. 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 in order to enter the junior and senior year of the program known as the Advanced Course. Classes for freshmen and sophomores are held at Mercyhurst University; juniors and seniors may attend classes at Gannon University.
Military Science classes are free of charge to all full-time students who earn academic credits that may be applied toward graduation requirements. Students may count a maximum of 18 credits from ROTC courses toward graduation as free elective courses. These courses may not be substituted for major, minor, or REACH requirements but will count toward the total number of credits required for graduation. Students accepted to the university on conditional status will not be permitted to take military science courses until their conditional status has been removed.
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. 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 Unites States Army.
The program objectives focus on the overall development of a student to lead soldiers and organizations in the 21st century.
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.
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 military science courses (twelve credit hours). These courses are designed to provide a general knowledge of the US Army (to include career opportunities), to develop selected leadership traits such as poise and self-confidence, and to teach basic military skills.
Completion of the Basic Course is required for entry into the Advanced Course. During the Advanced Course phase, students qualify for a U.S. Army commission by completing four military science courses (twelve credit hours) and by successfully completing a Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) between their junior and senior academic years. During the school year, students in the advanced course receive a non-taxable subsistence allowance of $450 per month for juniors and $500 per month for seniors.
Two-Year Program
This program allows direct entry into the Advanced Course via these methods:
Professional Military Education
Whether the student chooses the four-year or two-year program, all ROTC students must pass an approved American military history course prior to commissioning as a second lieutenant.
Financial Aid
OTC merit-based scholarships are available that pay full tuition and fees ($1200 annual book fees) plus $300-$500 per month non-taxable subsistence allowance for ten months each school year. All fouryear scholarship recipients also receive a room and board incentive. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to include grade point average, physical fitness, medical condition, and legal records.
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.
Military Science Student Activities
Military Science students are encouraged to participate in university and civic activities. Military Science students are afforded the opportunity to visit selected government facilities (military bases, federal law enforcement facilities, and medical facilities). The Ranger Challenge Competition, considered a varsity sport, 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 12-mile ruck march, the one-rope-bridge, a handgrenade assault course, and an orienteering competition. The color guard is a student-run organization that presents the national and state colors in uniform at graduations, sporting events, and other special functions.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the Leadership, Officer Skills, Army Values and Ethics, Personal Development, and Tactics at the small unit level. Students will examines the challenges of leading tactical teams in the complex contemporary operating environment. The course highlights dimensions of terrain analysis, patrolling and operation orders. Students develop greater self awareness as they assess their own leadership styles and practice communication and team building skills.
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 summer Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
This course explores the dynamics of leading in complex situations of current military operations in unified land operations. Cadets examine Army ethics and values, differences in customs and courtesies, cultural awareness, military law, and the impact of the Army's eight interrelated operational variables (PMESII-PT: Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical Environment, Time) in the face of international terrorism, aspects of interacting with non-government organizations, civilians on the battlefield, and host nation support. It uses case studies, scenarios, and "What Now, Lieutenant?" exercises to prepare Cadets to face the complex ethical and practical demands of leading as commissioned officers in the United States Army.