Military Science Department (MS)
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
Department Chair: LTC Brian Knutson
413 Wimberly Hall; 608.785.8404
Email: rotc@uwlax.edu
www.uwlax.edu/academics/department/rotc
The Department of Military Science, through the Army's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), offers students an opportunity to receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard. Upon completion of the Military Science and Leadership program, the student will have acquired skills in leadership, management, problem solving, and decision making, which will facilitate the transition to a civilian career, while serving in the Army Reserve or National Guard, or military career in the Regular Army. Courses and training are conducted on the campus, in the local area or at military training facilities. The Military Science and Leadership Program is divided into basic course and advanced course requirements as outlined below.
ROTC basic and advanced courses Internships
Army ROTC Basic Course (no service obligation incurred)
The Army ROTC Basic Course consists of two first year-level courses (MS 101 Introduction to the Army and MS 102 Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership in the Army) and two sophomore-level courses (MS 201 Leadership and Decision Making and MS 202 Army Doctrine and Team Development); the four courses total eight credits. The first year courses focus on the introduction to the Army profession and officership. The sophomore courses focus on the experiential examination of leadership, decision-making, and group dynamics. By the end of the Army ROTC Basic Course, students will possess a basic understanding of the unique aspects of the officer corps, fundamentals of leadership and decision-making, the Army’s institutional values, and principles of individual fitness and healthy lifestyles. All basic course lessons emphasize student classroom practical exercises, inspire intellectual curiosity, and stimulate self-study.
Army ROTC Advanced Course
The Army ROTC Advanced Course consists of three distinct components: The leadership and decision-making training of the MS III, or junior year; the Advanced Camp; and lessons that guide the student in a transition from Cadet to Army officer during the MS IV, or senior year. Advanced Course lessons are carefully sequenced, linked, and progressive in their treatment of key officer knowledge and competencies. The ROTC Advanced Course consists of 15 credit hours, acquired through MS 301 Training Management and the Warfighting Functions, MS 302 Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations, MS 401 The Army Officer, MS 402 American Military History, and MS 403 Company Grade Leadership as described below. The prerequisite for the ROTC Advanced Course is the ROTC Basic Course. This requirement can also be fulfilled by attending an ROTC internship known as the Basic Camp. Additionally, basic course requirements are automatically met by veterans, Army Reservists, and National Guardsmen now enrolled in school who possess a minimum of 54 credit hours and have graduated from a basic training course from any of the armed services.
Internships
The military science department offers two types of internships that may, upon mutual agreement between the student's college and the professor of military science, fulfill other academic internship requirements.
Leadership Internship (no military obligation incurred)
The Basic Camp is a paid, no obligation, four-week course held at Fort Knox, KY. This internship is high adventure, activity-based training that develops leadership, decision-making, and management skills. This internship is available to any sophomore or junior with four semesters of undergraduate study remaining, provided they have not already completed a basic military training course in any of the armed services. Motivation, initiative, and a drive for adventure are the key characteristics one must possess upon entering this internship. Upon completion, the student may receive additional credit hours and have the opportunity to enter the ROTC Advanced Course to pursue a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army.
Advanced Camp
(an internship opportunity worth 3-12 credits, given prior coordination and consent from the student’s college and the professor of military science)
The Advanced Camp provides the single most important block of training and evaluation in the progression of an Army cadet. Throughout the 29 Advanced Camp training days at Fort Knox, KY, cadets encounter stress-inducing physical and mental obstacles, which challenge them as individuals, soldiers, and leaders. The Advanced Camp uses small unit tactical training as the vehicle for further developing self-confidence and evaluating a cadet's leadership abilities and potential to serve as a commissioned officer. Prerequisites for Advanced Camp attendance are MS 301, MS 302 and an Army contractual obligation for service as a commissioned officer.
The following is the department's faculty and staff as of the publication date of this catalog. This list will not be updated again until the next catalog is published in July.
Professor of Military Science and Department Chair
LTC Brian Knutson
Professor of Military Science
SSG Skyler Nimmer
Assistant Professor of Military Science
CPT Joshua Albrecht
Senior Military Science Instructor
MSG Kamilo Lara
Military Science Instructor
SFC Lionel Cabanit
SFC Jonathon Peters
Military Science Scholarship and Enrollment Officer
Mr. Eric Jones
Military Science Human Resources Assistant
Charles Arbeen
Courses
MS 101 Cr.2
Introduction to the Army
This course focuses on introduction to the Army and critical thinking. It introduces cadets to the Army and the profession of arms. Students will examine the Army profession and what it means to be a professional in the U.S. Army. The overall focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of the Army Leadership Requirements Model while gaining a complete understanding of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. Cadets also learn how resiliency and fitness supports their development as an Army leader. Includes a weekly lab facilitated by MSL III Cadets and supervised by Cadre personnel. Lect. 1, Lab 2. Prerequisite: first year or sophomore standing. Junior or senior standing requires consent of department. Offered Fall.
MS 102 Cr.2
Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership in the Army
This course introduces students to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Cadets learn how the personal development of certain life skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting and communication affect their daily life and interactions with peers, teams and leaders. Students learn the basics of the communications process and the importance for leaders to develop the essential skills to effectively communicate in the Army. Students will begin learning the basics of squad level tactics. Prerequisite: MS 101; first year or sophomore standing. Junior or senior standing requires consent of department. Offered Spring.
MS 201 Cr.2
Leadership and Decision Making
This course focuses on leadership and decision making. The outcomes are demonstrated through critical and creative thinking and the ability to apply Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) innovative solutions to problems. The Army profession is also stressed through leadership forums and a leadership self-assessment. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MSL III and IV Cadets and supervised by Cadre personnel. Lect. 1, Lab 2. Prerequisite: MS 102; first year or sophomore standing. Junior or senior standing requires consent of department. Offered Fall.
MS 202 Cr.2
Army Doctrine and Team Development
This course focuses on Army doctrine and team development. The course begins the journey to understand and demonstrate competencies as they relate to Army doctrine. Army Values, Teamwork, and Warrior Ethos and their relationship to the Law of Land Warfare and philosophy of military service are also stressed. The ability to lead and follow is also covered through team building exercises at squad level. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III and IV Cadets and supervised by Cadre personnel. Prerequisite: MS 201; first year or sophomore standing. Junior or senior standing requires consent of department. Offered Spring.
MS 301 Cr.3
Training Management and the Warfighting Functions
This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a squad and platoon in the execution of a mission during a classroom PE, a leadership lab, or during a Leader Training Exercise (LTX). You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills that can further develop you into a successful officer. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies and practical exercises, a midterm exam, and a final exam. You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MS IV Cadets. Prerequisite: MS 202. Offered Fall.
MS 302 Cr.3
Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a squad and platoon in the execution of a mission during a classroom PE, a leadership lab, or during a Leader Training Exercise (LTX). You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills that can further develop you in to a successful officer. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies and practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MSL IV Cadets. Prerequisite: MS 301. Offered Spring.
MS 401 Cr.3
The Army Officer
This course focuses on development of the Army officer. It is an academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, resource, and assess training at the small unit level. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning, and legal responsibilities. At the conclusion of this course, you will be familiar with how to plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess the conduct of training at the company or field grade officer level. The course includes a lab per week overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre. Prerequisite: MS 302. Offered Fall.
MS 402 Cr.3
American Military History
A historical review and analysis of the development of military strategy and weapons; a detailed study of the history of the United States military; an analysis of contemporary, post-World War II issues; and a study of selected battles. Offered Fall, Spring.
MS 403 Cr.3
Company Grade Leadership
This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, develop, and apply critical thinking skills pertaining to Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at platoon level. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, mid-term exam, and a capstone exercise in place of the final exam. For the capstone exercise, you will be required to complete an oral practicum where you will be evaluated on your knowledge of the 20 Army Warfighting Challenges (AWFC) covered throughout MS 401 and MS 402 coursework. In addition, you will be assessed on leadership abilities during classroom PE, leadership labs, or Leader Training Exercises (LTX). You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your cadre, PMS, and other MS IV Cadets who will evaluate you using the Cadet Officer Evaluation Report (COER). You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to plan, coordinate, navigate, motivate and lead a platoon in future operational environments. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for your BOLC B course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Prerequisite: MS 401. Offered Spring.
MS 499 Cr.1-3
Independent Studies in Military Science
Students design individual plans of study in consultation with a MS faculty member. Designed for MS students who have excellent records in the department. Repeatable for credit - maximum three. Consent of department. Offered Occasionally.