Department of Military Science
Chairperson: Eric Palicia
Location: Jessie B. Bolling Hall
Contact Information: 804-524-5543 | epalicia@vsu.edu
Department Overview
The Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program consists of two parts: the basic course and the advanced course. The student normally pursues the basic course during the freshman and sophomore years, and the advanced course is normally pursued during the junior and senior years. Each advanced- course student is entitled to an allowance of $400.00 per month up to 10 months per year. Advanced-course students are required to attend a six-week ROTC summer camp at the completion of their junior year. For this summer training, the student receives over $700.00 plus travel pay to and from camp. Successful completion of the ROTC program qualifies the student for appointment as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.
Mission Statement
To commission the future officer leadership of the U.S. Army and motivate young people to be better Americans.
Department Goals
The objectives of the Department of Military Science are:
- to motivate selected students,
- to provide an understanding of the nature and operation of the United States Army,
- to develop the leadership and managerial potential of students,
- to encourage the development of mental and moral standards essential to military service, and
- to train students for commissioning in the United States Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard.
Program Listings
Minor in the Department
A Minor in Military Science is offered with a minimum of 15 hours of study.
SUMMARY
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester | Credit Hours | |
| MILS 101 | Introduction to Leadership | 2 |
| MILS 403 | Leadership Laboratory | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| 2nd Semester | ||
| MILS 102 | Introduction to Leadership | 2 |
| MILS 404 | MILS Independent Study | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| 1st Semester | ||
| MILS 201 | Foundations of Leadership * | 2 |
| MILS 403 | Leadership Laboratory | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| 2nd Semester | ||
| MILS 202 | Foundations of Leadership * | 2 |
| MILS 404 | MILS Independent Study | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| MILS 300 | Leadership Training Course | 4 |
| *Basic Leadership Training can be substituted for the 100 and 200 level in certain situations. | ||
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| 1st Semester | ||
| MILS 301 | Tactical Leadership | 3 |
| MILS 403 | Leadership Laboratory | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| 2nd Semester | ||
| MILS 302 | Applied Leadership | 3 |
| MILS 404 | MILS Independent Study | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| MILS 403 | Leadership Laboratory | 0 |
| MILS 404 | MILS Independent Study | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| 1st Semester | ||
| MILS 401 | Developmental Leadership | 3 |
| MILS 403 | Leadership Laboratory | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| 2nd Semester | ||
| MILS 402 | Adaptive Leadership | 3 |
| MILS 404 | MILS Independent Study | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Requirements for Commissioning:
26 hours Military Science
3 hours American Military History - HIST 304
3 hours Written/Oral Communication Skills - GEEN 310
3 hours Computer Literacy 3 hours Human Behavior
Contact the Professor of Military Science for additional information.
NOTE: ROTC students have an option of regular schedule class time for HIST 164-15 and HPER 165-11
or selecting ROTC class time (0600-0650). See catalog for course schedule
Requirements for Commissioning:
26 hours Military Science
3 hours American Military History - HIST 304
3 hours Written/Oral Communication Skills - GEEN 310
3 hours Computer Literacy 3 hours Human Behavior
Contact the Professor of Military Science for additional information.
NOTE: ROTC students have an option of regular schedule class time for HIST 164-15 and HPER 165-11
or selecting ROTC class time (0600-0650). See catalog for course schedule
MILITARY SCIENCE
Course Descriptions
MILS 101 INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP - 2 semester hours
A study of the organization of the Army and ROTC, with emphasis on the local program and career opportunities for the ROTC graduates. Significance of military courtesy, discipline, customs and traditions of the service.
MILS 102 INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP - 2 semester hours
A study of the organization of the Army and ROTC, with emphasis on the local program and career opportunities for the ROTC graduates. Significance of military courtesy, discipline, customs and traditions of the service.A study of the military as a profession, the historical growth and development of the Army, stressing the magnitude of management implications. Development of leadership through practical exercises.
MILS 201 FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP - 2 semester hours
A study of the functions, duties, and responsibilities of junior leaders, with continuing development of leadership through practical exercises.
MILS 202 FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP - 2 semester hours
A study of basic military skills and operations of the basic military team, to include military geography, and the use of maps and aerial photographs.
MILS 301 TACTICAL LEADERSHIP - 3 semester hours
A course stressing the development of the small unit leader skills, basic military skills, physical fitness and squad and platoon tactics.
Prerequisites: MILS 101; MILS 102; MILS 201; MILS 202
MILS 302 APPLIED LEADERSHIP - 3 semester hours
A course stressing the development of military skills with emphasis placed upon physical fitness, map reading and communications. Includes down-proofing exercises, field training exercises, and drill and ceremonies.
Prerequisite: MILS 301
MILS 401 DEVELOPMENTAL LEADERSHIP - 3 semester hours
A study of officer-enlisted relationship, staffs procedures, military writing and correspondence and military justice.
Prerequisites: MILS 301; MILS 302
MILS 402 ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP - 3 semester hours
Pre-commissioning seminars, study of Officer Evaluation Reports (OER's), Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports (NCOER's) division organizational structure, personal affairs, and unit administration are part of this course.
Prerequisites: MILS 301; MILS 302; (1) Students with previous military experience may be given semester hour for these prerequisites.
MILS 403 LEADERSHIP LABORATORY – 3 semester hours
Serves as learning laboratories for hands-on practical experiences. Training is supplementary and includes operations and tactics, land navigation, first aid, and general military subjects. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is administered to assess the state of physical development. (All cadets must participate in the 2- hour leadership lab.)
MILS 404 MILITARY SCIENCE INDEPENDENT STUDY - 3 to 6 semester hours
This internship is offered primarily to ROTC cadets to allow them to obtain practical work experience in their major under supervised conditions. The internship provides real-world application in Marketing, Political Science, Social Science, History, Physical Education, etc. majors with emphasis on Army or ROTC aspects.
MILS 30011 BASIC TRAINING COURSE - 4 semester hours
This 42-day leadership skills course at Fort Knox, KY, equates to Military Science 101, 102, 201, and 202. Student will be given the challenges of leadership, physical fitness, rappelling, drown-proofing, basic tactical maneuvering, use of basic Army weapons, map reading, compass course and basic military drill and ceremonies.
MILS 30311 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT COURSE - 6 semester hours
**Internship semester hours can be used during any semester for 3 to 6 semester hours.
