Army ROTC

Head: Paul A. Mele, COL., U.S. Army
Professor: P. A. Mele
Assistant Professors: D. Haeffner, M. Hogans, and J. Thomas
Advisor: (540) 231-6401

Web: www.armyrotc.vt.edu

Overview

The Department of Military Science provides a program of leadership development which prepares college men and women for service as officers in the United States Army. After graduation, they serve as commissioned officers on active duty, or as officers in reserve forces units. To accomplish this, the department:

• Prepares cadets to be commissioned as Second Lieutenants through a curriculum which develops leadership skills, and provides opportunities to utilize these skills in a variety of practical applications.
• Provides an understanding of how to lead and influence small organizations, with a strong emphasis on personal integrity, critical thinking, ethical decision making, goal setting, and mission accomplishment.
• Offers adventure training, such as rappelling, land-navigation, marksmanship, and, for selected students, airborne, air assault, combat diver training. Army sponsored international programs for cultural awareness and language training as well as internships with active army units and federal agencies worldwide are also offered during the summer.
• In conjunction with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, provides programs and experiences which increase self-confidence, self-discipline, physical stamina, poise, and other attributes essential to the development of a leader of character--one who is prepared to serve the nation or the commonwealth both in or out of uniform.

The curriculum and leader development programs of the Department of Military Science are mentally and physically challenging. Cadets learn individual soldier skills and undergo physical conditioning, beginning in the freshman year. On-campus instruction is done both in the classroom and in the field environment. Lab training and leadership development exercises expand the general knowledge of cadets and provide opportunities for practical leadership experience. Summer leadership training occurs after either the freshman or sophomore year as well as between the junior and senior years at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Army ROTC offers the conventional four-year program where a student enters as a freshman. A three-year program for sophomores is also available. Additionally, a two-year program is offered for juniors and graduate students. Placement credit may be awarded to students with ROTC experience, students currently serving in the Army Reserve or National Guard, those who have had active military service, or those who volunteer for summer training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Scholarships covering full tuition and fees are available for entering freshman though a High School National Army ROTC Scholarship Board process. Applications for these scholarships are available on-line at www.goarmy.com/rotc. Otherwise, Cadets enrolled in Army ROTC can compete for Campus Based scholarships through the department's Recruiting Operations Officer. All contracted Cadets (scholarship or non-scholarship) enrolled in the junior and senior years of ROTC are paid a tax-free stipend of $450.00 for ten months during their junior year and $500 for ten months during their senior year for a total of $9,500.00. Membership in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets is a pre-requisite for all ROTC classes. The cost of cadet uniforms is paid by a special Army uniform allowance provided to each enrolled cadet.

Minor in Leadership Studies

Satisfactory completion of the 20-credit military science curriculum may qualify each cadet for a minor in leadership studies. Virginia Tech is the first land-grant university in the nation to recognize the military science curricula with the award of a leadership studies minor. Contact the Center for Leader Development, (540) 231-7136, for information on how to apply for the minor in leadership studies.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions (MS)

1005,1006: MS I, AROTC
First year of military science. 1005: Introduction to ROTC. Roles and mission of the Army, including the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Army customs and traditions. Introduction to drill ceremony, basic first aid, physical training and land navigation. Required participation: leadership lab, physical training and field training exercises. 1006: Basic military skills training. Introduction to marksmanship, small unit tactics and leadership. Required participation: leadership lab, physical training and weekend field training exercises. I (1H,2L,2C)

2005,2006: MS II, AROTC
Second year of military science. 2005: Apply ethics-based leadership skills. Oral presentations, writing concisely, basic military tactics, advanced first aid and land navigation. Required participation; leadership lab, physical training, weekend field exercises. 2006: Team and small unit operations to include radio communications, safety assessments, movement techniques. Required participation: leadership lab and weekend field training exercises. I Pre: 1005, 1006. (1H,6L,3C)

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3005,3006: MS III, AROTC
Third year of military science. 3005: Analysis of the leadership role in directing and coordinating offensive and defensive tactical operations. Introduction to military training management. Practical exercises in land navigation and small unit tactics. 3006: Classroom and practical exercises to prepare cadets for LDAC: emphasis on weapons qualification, physical fitness, leadership techniques, and small unit operations. Practical exercises to enhance oral and written skills. I Pre: 1005, 1006, 2005, 2006. (3H,3L,4C)

4005,4006: MS IV, AROTC
Fourth year of military science. 4005: The role of the military profession in today's society. Ethical dimensions of military decision-making. Introduction to methods of instruction, the conduct of briefings, how to structure and conduct meetings, performance and disciplinary counseling. 4006: Introduction to logistics, personnel management, the Army finance and accounting system, the role of the lieutenant in unit administration and military justice. The military aspect of world geography. Current events and their relevance to the military profession. I Pre: 3005, 3006. (3H,3L,4C)

4964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.