Department of MILITARY SCIENCE

College of Arts and Sciences

Professor: Lieutenant Colonel James E. Waldo; Assistant Professors: Brown, Clegg, Lovins, Storey; Instructors:Hightower, Powell, Roper

The military science department's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program of instruction qualifies the student for a commission in the United States Army, Army National Guard, or United States Army Reserve. The curriculum does not provide technical training in a job specialty nor does it emphasize vocational training; rather, it complements and provides a base for normal progression in the commissioned officers' educational program.

Leadership and management objectives are included in academic periods of instruction. Practical leadership experience is gained in a field training environment by attendance at a 32-day summer camp, normally between the junior and senior years. Nursing students attend a nursing internship at Army hospitals following the normal summer camp. A leadership laboratory also provides experience in a range of leadership positions during the school year. The department offers both a four-year and a two-year program, each with its own special advantages. Students are invited to visit or write the Department of Military Science to obtain additional information.

Requirements

Please review all college-wide degree requirements summarized in the "College of Arts and Sciences" section of this General Bulletin.

Core Program

The program requires four years of military science courses which consist of a two-year basic course and a two-year advanced course. Students can begin the four-year program as a freshman or as a sophomore.

There is also a two-year ROTC program for those students with only two years of college remaining. The two-year course is designed for junior college and other non-ROTC college transfer students, but may be utilized by students who did not enroll in the basic course outlined below.

Graduate students may also qualify for enrollment in the two-year course. Additional information regarding eligibility requirements for the two-year program may be obtained by contacting the Department of Military Science.

Women are encouraged to enroll and will be commissioned as officers in the United States Army upon completion of the ROTC curriculum. Job opportunities for women officers in the Army are the same as those for men, excluding a few combat arms fields.

Basic Course

The basic course is normally taken as an elective subject by students in their freshman and sophomore years. The purpose of this instruction is to qualify students for entry into the advanced course by familiarizing them with the organization of the Army, military skills, and military tradition. Students do not incur any military obligation as a result of enrolling in the basic course. Enrollment in ROTC requires proof of a doctor's physical screening. Participation in regularly scheduled physical training is required. In addition to classroom instruction, a one and a half hour leadership laboratory period is required each week.

Advanced Course

Instruction in the advanced course includes leadership and management, the exercise of command, military teaching methods, tactics, logistics, administration, history, and military justice. Leadership experience and command experience are provided by assigning advanced course students as cadet officers and noncommissioned officers. Participation in regularly scheduled physical training is a required part of the leadership training. Classroom instruction consists of two one and a quarter hour (75 minutes) periods and one and a half (90 minutes) hour leadership laboratory period each week. Only students who have demonstrated a definite potential for becoming competent officers will be selected for the advanced course.

Professional Military Education

In addition to basic and advanced ROTC courses, cadets must complete professional military education requirements consisting of one course in each of the following areas: written and oral communication skills, American military history, and computer literacy. Students should consult with the professor of military science to determine those University courses suitable for fulfilling these requirements.

Monetary Allowances

Cadets selected for admission into the advanced course qualify for a nontaxable monetary allowance of $350–$400 per month for up to 20 months. Cadets may also qualify for the simultaneous membership program with the United States Army Reserve or National Guard, which can provide over $6,000 during the last two years of school. Both the United States Army Reserve and the National Guard offer additional monetary incentives for cadets who join their organizations.

Army ROTC College Scholarship Program

Financial assistance is available in the form of two- or three-year ROTC academic scholarships for selected students. Under the Army ROTC Scholarship Program, the students/cadets receive full tuition. Additionally, Army scholarship recipients receive a flat-rate allowance $600 per year for textbooks and other expenses and $250–$400 per month stipend for up to 10 months per year. During the 32-day advanced course summer training between the junior and senior years, Army ROTC also pays attending cadets $22 per day plus room and board. There are also numerous national and organizational scholarships that students may compete for as a member of Army ROTC.

Textbooks and Uniforms

All textbooks, uniforms, and items of insignia incident to membership in the Army ROTC Program are furnished by the Department of Military Science.

Minor in Military Science

A minor in military science is offered and may be selected by students with the approval of their major department and the Department of Military Science. Requirement for a minor is twelve (12) semester hours of upper division coursework.

Special Activities

Throughout cadets courses in ROTC, they will have the opportunity to join and participate in a number of military affiliated organizations and activities, both on a voluntary and a selective basis. The Pershing Rifle Society is a voluntary organization that functions as a military unit participating in military ceremonies and presenting the national colors at civic events. Cadets have the opportunity to qualify for and compete with cadets from other universities and colleges in a series of military events termed Ranger Challenge. Cadets may also join Scabbard and Blade, a military honors society comprising those cadets with qualifying grades that denote scholarship.

Awards and Decorations

Awards and decorations made available by national organizations, The Florida State University, and local and national military organizations, are presented to both basic and advanced officer course cadets each year. These plaques, trophies, medals, and ribbons symbolize superior achievement in Army ROTC and other University academic courses, and in outstanding campus and cadet corps leadership.

Prerequisite for Admission to the Professional Officer Course

1. Be at least 17 years of age at time of acceptance.
2. Be able to complete the professional officer course and graduate from The Florida State University prior to reaching the age of thirty (30) at the time of commissioning.
3. Selection by the professor of military science and acceptance by the University.
4. Execute a written agreement with the government to complete the professional officer course and accept an Army ROTC commission.
5. Enlist in the Army Reserve Component-ROTC (terminated upon receiving an Army officer commission).

Those students enrolled in the four-year Army ROTC program must complete the basic course or its equivalent, or have acceptable prior military service. Veterans and students with previous ROTC training are invited to write, visit, or call the Department of Military Science (850) 644-8806/1016 to discuss their eligibility status.

Students desiring entry into the two-year Army ROTC program should contact the Department of Military Science at the beginning of the Fall semester one academic year prior to the Fall semester in which they wish to enroll in the professional officer course. This lead time is required to complete the application and a physical examination prior to enrollment in the professional officer course.

Leadership Laboratory

Leadership laboratory is open to students who are members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps or who are eligible to pursue a commission as determined by the professor of military science. Leadership laboratory is the formalized phase of leadership training conducted by the cadets. It is scheduled for one and one half (90 minutes) hours each week for both the basic and advanced officer courses (non-contracted and contracted). All uniforms and equipment required for cadet activities are furnished.

Definition of Prefix

MIS - Military Science

Undergraduate Courses

MIS 1031. Introduction to Military Science and Skills Development (1). An introductory course designed to provide an understanding of the Army and its role in American society. Army organization, customs, and chain of command are also emphasized.

MIS 1400. Fundamentals of Leadership Development (1). An introductory course focusing on military leadership principles. Additional emphasis on improvement in written communication, oral communication, and problem-solving techniques.

MIS 2631. Basic Military Science I (2). Prerequisite: MIS 1400 or permission of the professor of military science. This course continues the development of critical military skills and leadership. Training is basic in scope and includes, but is not limited to, leadership, written and oral communications, land navigation skills, and tactics.

MIS 2632. Basic Military Science II (2). Prerequisite: MIS 2631 or permission of the professor of military science. This course continues the development of critical military skills and cadet leadership. Training is basic in scope and includes, but is not limited to, basic first aid, role of the NCO, military tactics, and written and oral communication.

MIS 2940. Basic Field Internship (4). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: permission of the professor of military science. An intense summer program conducted at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, for four weeks. Designed as an alternative method to meet the prerequisites of the advanced course for students who have had no basic course military science instruction. Students receive funded travel, $21.00 per day, and University credit for attendance.

MIS 3410. Advanced Military Science I (3). Prerequisites: MIS 1031, 1400, 2631, 2632, or 2940, or permission of department chair. Develops cadet competencies and confidence through advanced leadership and technical/tactical instruction. Training will include, but is not limited to, leadership, written and oral communication, operations and tactics, land navigation, physical fitness, weapons, NBC defense training, and general military subjects.

MIS 3611. Advanced Military Science II (3). Prerequisite: MIS 3410. The course will provide selected military skills to develop competency in developing military trainees, training managers, and future U.S. Army officers. Instruction will include, but is not limited to, leadership, training management, and oral communication techniques. Continues skills development for advanced camp.

MIS 4125. Advanced Military Art (3). Prerequisite: MIS 3611. A study of advanced principles and techniques of military leadership, ethics, history, management, training/operations, and organization.

MIS 4420. Contemporary Issues in Military Law and Management (3). Prerequisite: MIS 4125. A study of junior-level officer duties relating to staff functions, company-level duties, military law/justice, and the transition to the officer corps.

MIS 4900r. Directed Individual Study (3). Prerequisites: permission of the professor of military science. Special supervised study/research with professor of military science dealing with emphasis on current issues relating to the profession of arms and national defense. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.