MILITARY SCIENCE
The Military Science Department offers a progressive program which will
enhance student education regardless of academic endeavor. The program is designed to
improve the leadership abilities of students, develop managerial skills, inform students
concerning the roles, missions, and capabilities of the army, and train qualified ROTC
students to become commissioned officers in the National Guard, Reserve, and U.S. Army.
Military Science is an accredited field of minor study. Students may take Military Science
courses and receive graduation credit in lieu of Physical Education courses. National
Guardsmen, reservists, veterans and former JROTC students may receive advanced placement
by requesting it through the PMS.
BASIC COURSE
The purpose of the Army ROTC Basic Course is to introduce students to Army
ROTC, to give them general information about the Army and to introduce them to basic
skills which have both military and civilian application. Courses and practical exercises
in land navigation, orienteering, and leadership round out the student's academic life,
provide a challenge, develop confidence, and break the classroom monotony. With this
initial exposure, the students will have experience upon which to base their decisions to
continue into the Advanced Course and into the Army as commissioned officers. There is no
military obligation in connection with the Basic Course.
MS I (MS 101-102). Meets for one classroom period per week.
All students are required to attend a two hour leadership lab once per week. In addition,
contracted students are required to attend physical training lab three times per week for
1.5 hours per session. During leadership laboratory, students will participate in
adventure training, and other military activities. Several optional training activities on
and off campus are scheduled each semester.
MS II (MS 201-202). Meets for one classroom period per
week. All students are required to attend a two hour leadership lab once per week. In
addition, contracted students are required to attend physical training lab three times per
week for 1.5 hours per session. During leadership laboratory, students will participate in
adventure training, and other military activities. Several optional training activities on
and off campus are scheduled during the school year.
BASIC CAMP
Army ROTC Basic Camp, conducted during the summer session, is a challenging
five-week training course designed to evaluate students' ability to handle themselves and
others in new and demanding situations. Throughout the program, the student is provided
with the fundamentals of soldiering which include physical training, marks-manship,
tactical operations, map reading, and orienteering. Students are provided transportation
to and from camp, fees, room and board, as well as approximately $650 in pay and
allowances. Attendance at the Basic Camp does not obligate the student to military
service; it does, however, qualify the student for the Army ROTC Advanced Course when
taken in lieu of the Basic Course requirements.
ADVANCED COURSE
Upon completion of the Basic Course or Basic Camp (above), ROTC students
entering the Advanced Course continue to develop their ability in evaluating situations,
making decisions, and practicing traits considered essential in a leader. The ability to
motivate subordinates, to win their confidence, and to supervise them effectively has been
attributed by many civilian and military leaders to training received through ROTC in
college. The ROTC Program uses and extends the intellect, education, and special abilities
of college students. Its primary purpose is to produce Army officers needed for the
defense of our nation in time of crisis; but, in the process, it also develops the kind of
junior executive or manager needed in every field of civilian endeavor.
All Advanced Course students earn $150 a month (upon
contracting) beginning the first month of their junior year and continuing until they
complete the Advanced Course (maximum of $3,000). Additional pay and travel allowances for
the five-week Advanced Camp training between the junior and senior years, makes the total
received approximately $3,700.
MS III (MS 301-302). Meets for two classroom periods per
week. All students are required to attend a two hour leadership lab once per week. In
addition, contracted students are required to attend physical training lab three times per
week for 1.5 hours per session. Three training activities off campus will be scheduled
during the school year.
MS IV (MS 401-402). Meets for three classroom periods per
week. All students are required to attend a two hour leadership lab once per week. In
addition, contracted students are required to attend physical training lab three times per
week for 1.5 hours per session. Three training activities off campus will be scheduled
during the school year.
ROTC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
See information provided in the chapter on
financial aid.
Army ROTC Scholarships
These competitive scholarships are awarded solely on potential rather than financial need
and cover the costs of tuition, fees, and a flat-rate book allowance (of $225 per
semester) plus a subsistence allowance of $150 per month up to ten months per year.
Four-year scholarships are available to designated freshmen, who applied and were selected
during their senior year in high school. Three- and two-year scholarships are available to
eligible students, both enrolled and not enrolled in the ROTC program. This allowance is
tax free and is in addition to most other assistance that the student may receive.
ACTIVITIES
In an effort to develop maximum leadership qualities among cadets, the
following organizations and activities are sponsored by ROTC as an integral part of the
Army Cadet Corps:
Color Guard - The official color guard for the city of
Mobile is composed of ROTC cadets from the University of South Alabama.
Ranger Challenge - Students are trained in small-unit
tactics and participate in ranger-type operations.
ACADEMIC CREDIT
Academic credit is granted for the completion of Military Science course
requirements as follows:
Basic Course 1st year (MS 101-102)
1st & 2nd Sem. - 1 hr ea. - Total 2
Basic Course 2nd year (MS 201-202)
1st & 2nd, Sem. - 2 hr ea. - Total 4
(Basic camp in lieu of Basic Course) (6)
Advanced Course 1st year (MS 301-302)
1st & 2nd Sem. - 3 hr. ea. - Total 6
Advanced Course 2nd year (MS 401-402)
1st & 2nd Sem. - 3 hr. ea.- Total 6
AUDITING
Students who do not meet qualifications for Army contracting and
commissioning may be allowed to audit a Military Science course. Students desiring to
audit must receive the permission of the department chair. Auditing students may not
participate in leadership laboratory, field training exercises, or other physical
activities. Non-U.S. students must have written permission from their government prior to
taking an ROTC course. MS 104 restricts registration to U.S. citizens age twenty-seven
(27) and under.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMMISSION
AS A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY
Students desiring a commission must complete a minimum of 27 hours of
course work to include:
1. 18 hours of Military Science, including
a. MS 101 and 102;
b. MS 201 and 202;
c. Students can receive placement credit for the 100- and 200-level courses for prior
military service, Junior ROTC, ROTC Basic Camp, and equivalent military training with PMS
approval;
d. MS 301 and 302;
e. MS 401 and 402.