Military Science and Leadership

---

Chapter 3

The U.S. Army ROTC Program offered at the Western Kentucky University is designed to develop your management, leadership, and basic military skills. There is a significant focus on preparing you to successfully complete the ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), the most significant event in your cadet training. The ultimate goal is for each cadet to be well prepared for service as a commissioned officer in one of the three components of the U.S. Army- the Active Army, the Army National Guard, or the United States Army Reserve. The purpose of each MS year is delineated in the following two sections, with additional requirements described in the third section.

The Basic Course

MS I cadets attend Military Science academic classes and Leadership Labs each semester. Participation in FTXs, weekly Leadership Laboratories, formal social functions and physical training is included as part of the class participation grade of MS classes. The purpose of Military Science I is:

a.to provide the cadet an overview of Army ROTC, basic Army leadership concepts and the Army: its history, customs, regulations and opportunities, to include the scholarship process.

b.to develop personal character and challenge all to understand and begin to inculcate the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

c.to foster a sense of responsibility within cadets, especially toward academics and ROTC subjects.

d.to develop self-confidence through challenging, adventurous and innovative training, including hands-on military skills.

e.to develop oral and written presentation skills, good learning habits and time management.

f.to develop a sense of belonging to the Army family, especially as a member of the Hilltopper Battalion.

g.to improve physical fitness.

h.to prepare MSI students to become MSII cadets.

MS II cadets attend ROTC academic classes and Leadership Labs each semester. Participation in FTXs, weekly Leadership Laboratories, formal social functions and physical training is included as part of the class participation grade of MS classes. The purpose of Military Science II is:

a.continue the emphasis of living the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

b.to introduce MS II cadets to the role of the noncommissioned officer, to expose them to NCO leadership in the Active Army and the Hilltopper Battalion, and to prepare them to assume leadership of the cadet battalion in the future.

c.to become familiar with and develop knowledge of basic military skills. The focus of training is to prepare cadets to be future leaders of the cadet battalion and eventually, the Army.

d.to further develop oral and written presentation skills.

e.to encourage qualified MS II cadets to contract into the Advance Course.

f.to prepare MS II cadets to be successful MS III cadets.

g.to improve physical fitness.

The Advanced Course

MS III cadets will attend Military Science academic courses each quarter or semester. Participation in FTXs, weekly Leadership Laboratories, formal social functions, and physical training is required. Participation in extracurricular activities is encouraged. The purposes of Military Science III is:

a.continue the emphasis of living the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

b.to prepare cadets for success at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). Training consists of hands-on situational tactical exercises, planning and executing operations orders and basic military skills.

c.to further develop oral and written presentation skills.

d.to prepare cadets to become responsible MS IVs. The MS III year will reinforce troop leadership skills necessary for success as cadet officers.

e.to enable the cadet to make sound informed decisions concerning component, branch, and initial duty assignments.

f.to teach cadets to provide the leadership in the cadet battalion.

g.to instill an understanding that college performance is as important as ROTC involvement to the cadets' future. Similarly, their performance at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) is a training and performance evaluation that is critical in the selection process for component and branch.

MS IV cadets will attend ROTC academic courses each semester. Participation in FTXs, special professional development events, physical training, and all Leadership Laboratories is required. Involvement with extracurricular activities is encouraged. The purpose of Military Science IV is:

a.continue the emphasis of living the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

b.to develop the cadet's leadership and managerial skills, enabling him/her to assume the junior officer leadership of the U.S. Army.

c.to develop leadership and managerial skills in the Cadet Battalion by planning, coordinating, and conducting the training of Basic Course cadets.

d. to prepare MS IV cadets for success at BOLC II.

Professional Military Education Requirements

Certain academic courses outside the regular Military Science curriculum are required to provide each cadet with the academic foundation necessary to support his/her continued intellectual growth. Requirements, which cadets must satisfy, are the baccalaureate degree, completion of Military History (History 299), and the ESTP program.