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ROTC

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.

  • Students develop into leaders of tomorrow and have the potential to commission as Officers in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
  • Students are introduced to the fundamentals of leadership with emphasis on loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, and ethics.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Students transition from an academic student focus to a military student focus by holding leadership positions with the Cadet Battalion while 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.

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:

  • Be a Junior ROTC graduate. Attend four-week Basic Camp training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. (a four-week program completed summer of junior year).
  • Complete Basic Training through one of the Armed Forces.

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.

INTRO TO THE ARMY & CRITICAL THINKING
Course Code:
ROTC 101
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership and commucation. Students will learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, goal setting, time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership, officership, and the Army profession. The focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of Army leadership dimensions, while gaining an understanding of the ROTC program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. 3 credits.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 101
INTRO TO THE ARMY & CRITICAL THINKING
3
FOUNDATIONS AGILE & ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP
Course Code:
ROTC 102
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the professional challenges and competencies that are needed for effective execution of the profession of arms and Army communication. Students will learn how Army ethics and values shape the Army and the specific ways that these ethics are inculcated into Army culture. The focus is on leadership fundamentals such as problem solving, listening, presenting briefs, 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.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 102
FOUNDATIONS AGILE & ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP
3
LEADERSHIP & DECISION MAKING
Course Code:
ROTC 201
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the principles, theories, methods and practices of effective leadership. Students will learn problem solving, military operations and personal development in order to adequately prepare them to become a successful future officer. The focus of this class is for students to demonstrate critical and creative thinking, the ability to apply troop leading procedures, comprehension of the officer's role in leading, and the abillity to apply innovative solutions to problems in concert with the principles of mission command.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 201
LEADERSHIP & DECISION MAKING
3
ARMY DOCTRINE & TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Course Code:
ROTC 202
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

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.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 202
ARMY DOCTRINE & TEAM DEVELOPMENT
3
LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE
Course Code:
ROTC 205
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ Randomly
Credit:
6
Instruction methods:
Field
x
ROTC 205
LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE
6
TRAINING MGMT & WARFIGHTING FUNCTIONS
Course Code:
ROTC 301
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
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 summer Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 301
TRAINING MGMT & WARFIGHTING FUNCTIONS
3
APPLIED LEADERSHIP SMALL UNIT OPERATION
Course Code:
ROTC 302
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

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.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 302
APPLIED LEADERSHIP SMALL UNIT OPERATION
3
THE ARMY OFFICER, LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
Course Code:
ROTC 401
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course transitions the focus of student learning from being trained, mentored andevaluated as an MSL III Cadet to learning how to train, mentor and evaluate underclass Cadets. MSL IV Cadets will learn the duties and responsibilities of an Army staff officer and apply the Military Decision Making Process, Army writing style and the Army's principles of training and training management cycle during weekly training meetings to plan, execute and assess battalion training events.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 401
THE ARMY OFFICER, LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
3
COMPANY GRADE LEADERSHIP
Course Code:
ROTC 402
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

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.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
ROTC 402
COMPANY GRADE LEADERSHIP
3
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