Department of Military Science
Department Chair: John Luckie, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Military Intelligence)
Faculty
J. Beshears, Sergeant First Class, US Army (MSI)
J. Luckie, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Military Intelligence)
B. Manning, Master Sergeant, US Army (SMI)
J. Walton, Department of the Army Civilian/First Sergeant (Retired)
M. Vergosen, Program Assistant
The department of military science conducts the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at St. Bonaventure University. The program is structured in two separate phases: a Basic Course (freshmen and sophomores) and an Advanced Course (juniors and seniors). Successful completion of ROTC qualifies a student, upon graduation, for appointment as a commissioned officer (second lieutenant) in the United States Army. St. Bonaventure’s ROTC program enjoys an honorable history dating back to 1936, highlighted by awards in 1998 as the best small unit in the nation (MacArthur Award) and in 2002, when the program was honored as Outstanding ROTC Unit in Cadet Command, recognizing it as one the best small ROTC programs nationwide.
Basic Course
The Military Science I and II classes are open to all students and a great way to earn up to 3 credits per semester (10 total through Sophomore year). Students learn important time management, organizational and foundational leadership skills through practical exercises. The curriculum is designed to enhance any academic pursuit. Students, except ROTC scholarship recipients, incur no military service obligation by enrolling in the basic course.
Course Descriptions
Using a military model, Military Science students receive instruction on the fundamentals of leadership. These basic leadership skills prepare students to lead in public service, business, military, and community organizations. By the end of the Basic Course, Cadets understand the unique aspects of the officer corps, are well grounded in the fundamentals of leadership and decision-making, embrace the Army’s institutional values, and are able to apply the principles of individual fitness and unit training. The lessons are designed to maximize Cadet participation, inspire intellectual curiosity, stimulate self-study, and encourage Cadets to contract. Leadership labs complement classroom instruction and challenge students with hands-on exercises where land navigation, rappelling, and survival skills are learned and then practiced.
Advanced Course
Admission to the Advanced Course requires completion of the Basic Course or equivalent. Eligible veterans and members of the Reserved Forces who have completed basic training may apply for direct admission, and sophomores and juniors without military experience can earn Basic Course credit by attending a four-week Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky., during June and July. To enroll in the Advanced Course, students must contract with the Army and agree to accept a commission as an Army Second Lieutenant.
Course Descriptions
Consisting of four distinct semesters, the Advanced Course is structured as a two-phased program leading to commissioning. The principal lessons of operations and tactics, coupled with leadership are progressive. The junior year focuses on enhanced tactics at the small unit level in preparation for Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The senior year focuses on officer professional development and final preparation for commissioning. By the end of the senior year, the cadet will have confidence in their abilities to lead, make decisions and motivate subordinates within their organization. The semesters are designed to maximize cadet participation, inspire intellectual curiosity and stimulate self-directed study. Completion of the Advanced Course prepares the cadet for the physical, emotional and intellectual challenges of leadership of the evolving Army in the 21st Century.
In addition to the military knowledge and skills taught in the core curriculum of military science, students enrolling in the Advanced Course must also satisfy a professional military education requirement of at least one undergraduate course in military history.
Course Credit
Up to ten credits of Military Science may be counted as general elective credits towards a degree program. Military Science 1 (MS1-freshman) course students earn one elective credit for class and one elective credit for lab each semester. MS2 students earn two credits for class and one for lab each semester. Advanced Course students (MS3 and MS4) earn three credits each semester for class and one for lab.
Four-Year Scholarships
Awarded on a competitive basis to high school graduates who apply the year prior to college entrance. Winners are selected based on a whole person evaluation considering academic achievements, athletics, and extracurricular participation. High school guidance counselors have applications or for additional information students can visit the Cadet Command Web site at http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.jsp.
Three- and Two-Year Scholarships
Awarded on campus to students already attending college. Students need not be enrolled in ROTC to apply and compete. Winners are selected based on a whole person evaluation considering the collegiate academic record plus other academic achievements. Army ROTC scholarships provide for tuition and fees and a book allowance along with a monthly stipend. Interested students should contact the Department of Military Science.
Pay and Allowances
Scholarship and Advanced Course students receive a monthly subsistence for up to 10 months of each school year (currently $420 month) and $600/semester for books. ROTC books, uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost.
Commissions Offered
Students completing all military science requirements and earning a baccalaureate degree may be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Options for commissioned service either on active duty or in the Reserve Components (Army National Guard or Army Reserves) on a part-time basis are determined by personal desire and the needs of the Army. All commissionees incur a service obligation of some type. Career branches of the Army are competitively designated each year. Nursing degree recipients who complete ROTC are commissioned directly into the Army Nurse Corps. Newly commissioned lieutenants attend initial officer training courses and, upon completion, report to challenging worldwide duty assignments if on Active Duty or to “hometown” Army Reserve or National Guard assignments if selected for Reserve Component duty. Students wishing to pursue graduate studies full-time leading to an advanced degree in law or medicine may compete for authorized delays before reporting to active duty.
Military Science (MS)
MS-101 FOUNDATIONS OF OFFICERSHIP (1 Credit)
(Course and lab) The purpose of this semester is to introduce cadets to fundamental components of service as an officer in the United States Army. These initial lessons form the building blocks of progressive lessons in values, fitness, leadership, and officership. Additionally, the semester addresses "life skills" including fitness, communications theory and practice (written and oral), and interpersonal relationships.
MS-101L FOUNDATIONS OF OFFICERSHIP LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and lab) The purpose of this semester is to introduce cadets to fundamental components of service as an officer in the United States Army. These initial lessons form the building blocks of progressive lessons in values, fitness, leadership, and officership. Additionally, the semester addresses "life skills" including fitness, communications theory and practice (written and oral), and interpersonal relationships.
MS-102 BASIC LEADERSHIP (1 Credit)
(Course and lab) This course, available to all students without any military obligation, is designed as a classroom and optional lab course that stresses the fundamentals of leadership. The course goals are to provide students with leadership and managerial skills that will prepare them to lead in public service, business, military and community organizations. This course uses a military model to train leadership development through an introduction to problem solving, effective decision making techniques, and delves into several aspects of communication and leadership theory. The classroom instruction is reinforced throughout the course with practical exercises that focus on individual leadership skills, as well as motivational techniques and how to function as an effective member of a team.
MS-102L BASIC LEADERSHIP LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and lab) This course, available to all students without any military obligation, is designed as a classroom and optional lab course that stresses the fundamentals of leadership. The course goals are to provide students with leadership and managerial skills that will prepare them to lead in public service, business, military and community organizations. This course uses a military model to train leadership development through an introduction to problem solving, effective decision making techniques, and delves into several aspects of communication and leadership theory. The classroom instruction is reinforced throughout the course with practical exercises that focus on individual leadership skills, as well as motivational techniques and how to function as an effective member of a team.
MS-201 INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP STUDIES (2 Credits)
(Course and lab) Building upon the fundamentals introduced in the MS 1 year, this instruction delves into several aspects of communication and leadership theory. The use of practical exercise is significantly increased and cadets are increasingly required to apply communications and leadership concepts. Virtually the entire semester teaches critical "life skills." The relevance of these life skills to future success in the Army is emphasized throughout the course.
MS-201L INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP STUDIES LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and lab) Building upon the fundamentals introduced in the MS 1 year, this instruction delves into several aspects of communication and leadership theory. The use of practical exercise is significantly increased and cadets are increasingly required to apply communications and leadership concepts. Virtually the entire semester teaches critical "life skills." The relevance of these life skills to future success in the Army is emphasized throughout the course.
MS-202 LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK (2 Credits)
(Course and Lab) The final semester of the Basic Course focuses principally on officership, providing an extensive examination of the unique purpose, roles and obligations of commissioned officers. It includes a detailed look at the origin of our institutional values and their practical application in decision making and leadership.
MS-202L LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK LAB (1 Credit)
The final semester of the Basic Course focuses principally on officership, providing an extensive examination of the unique purpose, roles and obligations of commissioned officers. It includes a detailed look at the origin of our institutional values and their practical application in decision-making and leadership.
MS-301 LEADERSHIP/PROB.SOLVING (3 Credits)
(Course and Lab) The MSL 300 level curriculum is intended to build leadership competencies and facilitate the cadet's initial demonstration of individual leadership potential at Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), while also preparing cadets for their future responsibilities as officers. MSL 300 level instruction uses small unit infantry tactics as the context for the development and assessment of leadership. While a measure of technical and tactical understanding of small unit operations is necessary, the focus of instruction in on the leadership competencies.
MS-301L LEADERSHIP/PROB.SOLVING LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and Lab) The MSL 300 level curriculum is intended to build leadership competencies and facilitate the cadet's initial demonstration of individual leadership potential at Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), while also preparing cadets for their future responsibilities as officers. MSL 300 level instruction uses small unit infantry tactics as the context for the development and assessment of leadership. While a measure of technical and tactical understanding of small unit operations is necessary, the focus of instruction in on the leadership competencies.
MS-302 LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS (3 Credits)
(Course and Lab) The final semester of the MSL III year continues focusing on doctrinal leadership and tactical operations at the small-unit level. This critical semester synthesizes the various components of training, leadership and team building. The MSL 302 curriculum complements progression through the cadet's campus evaluation process and in the culminating event of the MSL III year in the field training environment of the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).
MS-302L LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and Lab) The final semester of the MSL III year continues focusing on doctrinal leadership and tactical operations at the small-unit level. This critical semester synthesizes the various components of training, leadership and team building. The MSL 302 curriculum complements progression through the cadet's campus evaluation process and in the culminating event of the MSL III year in the field training environment of the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).
Prerequisite(s): Take MS-301L
MS-401 LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)
(Course and Lab) This semester of the Advanced Course concentrates on leadership, management and ethics, and begins the final transition from cadet to lieutenant. The course focuses cadets, early in the year, on attaining knowledge and proficiency in several critical areas they will need to operate effectively as Army officers. These areas include: Coordinate Activities with Staffs, Counseling Theory and Practice within the "Army Context," Training Management, and Ethics.
Prerequisite(s): Take MS-302
MS-401L LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and Lab) This semester of the Advanced Course concentrates on leadership, management and ethics, and begins the final transition from cadet to lieutenant. The course focuses cadets, early in the year, on attaining knowledge and proficiency in several critical areas they will need to operate effectively as Army officers. These areas include: Coordinate Activities with Staffs, Counseling Theory and Practice within the "Army Context," Training Management, and Ethics.
MS-402 OFFICERSHIP (3 Credits)
(Course and Lab) The final semester focuses on completing the transition from cadet to lieutenant. The course starts with a foundation in the legal aspects of decision making and leadership. Following modules reinforce the organization of the Army and introduce how the Army organizes for operations from the tactical to strategic level. Instruction on administrative and logistical management focuses on the fundamentals of soldier and unit level support. The final module focuses on the process of changing duty stations and reporting to a new unit. The Capstone Exercise requires the cadets, both individually and collectively, to apply their knowledge to solve problems and confront situations commonly faced by junior officers.
Prerequisite(s): Take MS-401
MS-402L OFFICERSHIP LAB (1 Credit)
(Course and Lab) The final semester focuses on completing the transition from cadet to lieutenant. The course starts with a foundation in the legal aspects of decision making and leadership. Following modules reinforce the organization of the Army and introduce how the Army organizes for operations from the tactical to strategic level. Instruction on administrative and logistical management focuses on the fundamentals of soldier and unit level support. The final module focuses on the process of changing duty stations and reporting to a new unit. The Capstone Exercise requires the cadets, both individually and collectively, to apply their knowledge to solve problems and confront situations commonly faced by junior officers.
Prerequisite(s): Take MS-401L
MS-499 IN.STDY-MILITARY SCIENCE (1-3 Credits)
Directed independent study in selected areas. Students may register for one hour per semester or one hour the first and two hours the second semester. They may not register for three hours during one semester. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: consent of the director of Army Military Science.
MS-499B DIRECTED STUDIES IN NATIONAL SECURITY (1 Credit)
Directed independent study in selected areas. Students may register for one hour per semester or one hour the first and two hours the second semester. They may not register for three hours during one semester. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: consent of the director of Army Military Science.
MS-499C INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT TO NATIONAL SECURITY (1 Credit)
Directed independent study in selected areas. Students may register for one hour per semester or one hour the first and two hours the second semester. They may not register for three hours during one semester. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: consent of the director of Army Military Science.