Army ROTC Curriculum

Monday/Wednesday/Fridays 6-7 a.m.

The Spartan Battalion places an emphasis on physical fitness and believes it is a defining characteristic for Army officers. To maximize the health, strength and ACFT scores of our cadets, the Spartan Battalion conducts physical training three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). These workouts are tailored to ensure that our cadets can score high on the Army Combat Fitness Test and conduct functional movements that are relevant to our future careers as officers.

Semester: 12 weeks
Class length and frequency: 50 minutes, one session per week
Credit hours: 2 credit hours

The MS I End state:
The MS I course produces a cadet who understands the basic structure of the US Army and its’ customs and courtesies; accepts the Army as a values-based organization and embraces the scholar-athlete-warrior ethos; who is familiar with individual roles and responsibilities in support of team efforts; who demonstrates oral and written communications skills, understands resilience and develops a commitment to learning. In addition, demonstrates introductory skills in fieldcraft and tactics at squad level.

MS101: Introduction to the Army
MS101 focuses on introduction to the Army and basic Soldier skills. 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 begin learning map reading and land navigation. Students will have initial classes on fieldcraft, first aid, individual/team movement techniques that will include a weekly lab facilitated by MS III cadets and supervised by MS IV’s and cadre.

MS102: Foundations of Leadership
MS102 introduces cadets to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Cadets learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting and communication. Cadets learn the basics of the communications process and the importance for leaders to develop the essential skills to effectively communicate in the Army. Cadets will begin learning the basics of squad level tactics that will be reinforced during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III cadets, supervised by MS IVs and cadre.

Semester: 12 weeks
Class length and frequency: 50 minutes, two sessions per week
Credit hours: 2 credit hours

MS II End state:
The MS II course produces a cadet grounded in foundational leadership doctrine and skills by following and leading small units to achieve assigned missions; who comprehends critical thinking and problem solving using TLPs; who comprehends the value of diversity and understands the officer’s role in leading change; and understands the fundamentals of the Army as a profession. 

MS201: Leadership and Ethics
MS201 focuses on leadership and ethics. The course adds depth to the cadets knowledge of the different leadership styles. Cadets will conduct a leadership analysis of famous leaders and self-assessment of their own leadership style. The Army Profession is presented through the understanding of values, ethics and how to apply both to different situations they may encounter as a leader. Army values and ethics and their relationship to the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and philosophy of military service are also discussed. Cadets are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom during hands-on performance-oriented environments at the weekly lab facilitated by MS III cadets, supervised by MS IV’s and cadre.

MS202: Army Doctrine and Decision Making
MS202 focuses on Army doctrine and decision-making. The course begins with analytical techniques, creative thinking skills and the Army problem-solving process as related to situations faced by leaders when making decisions. TLPs and OPORD will lead cadets to an understanding of Army doctrine and symbology. Squad tactics will be covered in classes on Unified Land Operations, Offensive Operations and Defensive Operations. 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 cadets and supervised by cadre.

Semester: 12 weeks
Class length and frequency: 50 minutes, three sessions per week
Credit hours: 3 credit hours

MSIII End state: The MS III course produces a cadet who possesses enhanced individual and collective skills including leader competencies; effectively leads formations at the squad and platoon level in a variety of military and non-military mission context scenarios; effective at receiving and giving peer evaluations; who is committed and disciplined ethically, academically, physically and socially. 

MS 301: Training Management and the Warfighting Functions
MS 301 focuses on training management and the warfighting functions. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice and apply the fundamentals of training management and how the Army operates through the warfighting functions. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, preparing and executing training for a squad conducting small unit tactics. Includes a lab per week using peer facilitation overseen by MS IVs, supervised by ROTC cadre. 

MS 302: Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
MS 302 focuses on applied leadership in small unit operations. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice and apply the fundamentals of direct level leadership 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 platoon in the execution of a mission. Includes a lab per week using peer facilitation overseen by MS IVs, supervised by ROTC cadre. Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the Cadet Summer Training Advance Camp, which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY.

Advanced Camp (AC) is the capstone, 37-day training event designed to assess a cadet's ability to demonstrate proficiency in Basic Officer Leadership Course-A tasks and leadership abilities. Approximately 7,100 cadets are evaluated on their ability to lead at the squad and platoon levels, both in garrison and tactical environments. Cadets are mentally and physically tested during a consequence-driven field training exercise that replicates a combat training center rotation. Successful completion of AC is a prerequisite requirement for commissioning.

Semester: 12 weeks
Class length and frequency: 50 minutes, three sessions per week
Credit hours: 3 credit hours

MSIV Endstate: The MS IV course produces a leader of character possessing a professional identity; thrives in operationally ambiguous environments; is a moral exemplar and is prepared to be an Army leader, skilled critical thinker, problem solver and team builder; skilled oral and written communicator committed to the Army ethic and profession; who has advanced interpersonal skill, knowledge of training management, and understands Army Doctrine; is culturally aware and displays characteristics of a lifelong learner.

MS 401: The Army Officer
MS 401 focuses on development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills and abilities you will need as an Army Officer. 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 conduct training at the company level using the training management cycle. Includes a lab per week overseeing MS III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC cadre.

MS402: Company Grade Leadership
MS 402 is an academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills and abilities required of junior officers pertaining to the Army in unified land operations and company grade officer roles and responsibilities. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam and an oral practicum as the final exam. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for your BOLC B course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Includes a lab per week overseeing MS III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC cadre.