Course Curriculum
The ROTC program is structured to provide college students with the personal traits, technical knowledge, and military skills that they require to successfully serve as Army officers. Taking between two to four years to complete, depending upon scholarship options and one's level of previous military experience, the ROTC program is divided into four class levels, MS (military science) I through MS IV, which respectively correspond to the first and fourth years of ROTC. At each level, cadets are introduced to new material and have increasing responsibilities designed to prepare them to function as an officer.
The Basic Course
Referring to the MS I and MS II year, the ROTC basic course is designed for those cadets with no prior military experience. It is intended to teach basic soldier skills, acclimate civilians with the Army culture, instill within cadets the Army values, and prepare cadets physically, technically, and mentally for the ROTC advanced course.
MS I
For many cadets, the MS I class is the starting point of their Army career. Cadets learn basic soldier skills such as Army customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, weapons handling, first aid, individual movement techniques, rappelling, water survival, fieldcraft, physical fitness training, NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) training, and land navigation. Academic topics include career options for Army officers, the history and development of the Army, basic military organization, and officership. The emphasis of the MS I class is the cadet's personal development as a scholar, athlete, and leader. Physical fitness is strongly emphasized, as are the development of personal traits required for successive course levels in the ROTC program.
MS II
The MS II class is in many ways a continuation of the MS I year, with an emphasis on the reinforcement and perfection of skills already learned. In addition, new topics are introduced and cadets are given increasing leadership responsibilities to prepare them for the advanced course. These topics include small unit tactics, garrison operations, and basic management. Increased responsibilities may include leadership of a team or squad-sized element consisting of between four and nine subordinate cadets to accomplish a variety of garrison and field tasks.
Leader's Training Course (LTC)
LTC is an intensive four-week course held at Fort Knox, Kentucky designed to unite the curricula of the MS I and MS II years for cadets following a two year contract option. Most instruction takes place in the field, with an emphasis on basic soldier skills, small unit tactics, land navigation, and field leadership. Cadets who have successfully completed the basic course do not usually attend LTC.
We have posted some videos from last year's Leader's Training Course on our
YouTube channel. The videos can be accessed at www.youtube.com/cadetcommandpao You can also
read more about them at www.armyrotc.wordpress.com
The Advanced Course
Referring to the MS III and MS IV year, the ROTC advanced course is designed for cadets who have successfully completed the ROTC basic course or Soldiers who desire a commission as an Army officer. It is an intensive program designed to instill within students the leadership values and qualities necessary to be effective officers in a variety of roles.
MS III
The MS III year is intended to be the most challenging year of the ROTC program. Cadets must achieve proficiency in a variety of leader and Soldier skills and tasks. Cadets at this level must demonstrate proficiency in land navigation, fieldcraft, small unit tactics at the squad and platoon level, physical fitness, rifle marksmanship, and swimming. Most importantly, cadets must understand the operations order and be able to effectively make and execute their own orders to accomplish a variety of field and garrison tasks. Responsibilities at the MS III level increase dramatically, as cadets are responsible for leading squad to company-sized elements consisting of between nine and 100 subordinate cadets. The leadership performance of MS III cadets is evaluated, and feedback is given based on demonstrated proficiency in 23 leadership traits. Overall, the MS III year is an intensive leadership development program designed to prepare cadets for Warrior Forge, their officer qualification course.
Warrior Forge
Held every summer at Fort Lewis, Washington, Warrior Forge is a five-week leadership evaluation designed to test the military skills and leadership qualities of cadets who have completed their MS III year. Successful completion of Warrior Forge is mandatory in order for cadets to progress to their MS IV year and receive a commission as an officer. Cadets will be expected to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, pass a written land navigation test as well as a practical land navigation course, successfully negotiate several obstacle and confidence courses, demonstrate proficiency with US weapon systems and small arms, complete several foot marches with full equipment at distances of between four and nine miles, lead squad to company-sized elements in numerous garrison tasks, prepare and disseminate operations orders, and demonstrate an understanding of small unit tactics. The course capstone is a 10 day field problem during which cadets will lead a small unit under simulated combat conditions.
MS IV
Following their completion of Warrior Forge, cadets return for a final year of instruction that focuses on preparing to receive a commission. Course topics include military administration, officership, staff operations at the battalion level, professional ethics, logistics, the Army's equal opportunity program, developing subordinates, and enlisted/officer relationships. Responsibilities for senior cadets include the preparation of training and instruction for subordinate cadets, as well as management of the daily business of the cadet battalion.
Commissioning
Cadets are offered a commission if they successfully complete all four years of ROTC as well as their college degree. Following commissioning, new lieutenants attend between five and nine months of follow-on training before reporting to their first duty station.
