Army ROTC prepares students with the leadership skills and abilities through an applied model of training and mentorship to face the challenges of an ever changing environment. Students who accept the challenge to become an Army Officer may be eligible for a four year scholarship to include: 100% Tuition & fees (minus aviation), $1200 per year book allowance and a tax free stipend based on academic status ( $300/month – Freshman, $350/month – Sophomore, $450/month – Junior, $500/month – Senior). Army ROTC courses are categorized as a Basic Course (Freshman and Sophomore courses) or Advance Course (Junior and Senior courses). Any student may take Basic Course and physical fitness classes without military obligation or pre-requisites. Advance Course classes are limited to qualified contracted students (see Cadre for details). Typically, ROTC students take one three-credit class (2 to 3 hours per week), one workshop/leadership laboratory per week, and one overnight field exercise per semester in addition to their other classes. ROTC students also participate in physical fitness training (3 hours per week). The program provides opportunities to attend confidence-building courses during the summer such as the Air Assault or Airborne Schools, Mountain Warfare and summer internships. The program works with its Army ROTC host Battalion at Montana State University – Bozeman. ROTC (Military Science) is neither a major nor a minor. All cadets who seek a commission must graduate with one of Rocky Mountain College’s recognized majors. Cadets also plan and conduct other military events and participate in various leadership experiences each semester.

ROTC Curriculum

A maximum of 12 credits from the advanced courses in the Military Science curriculum may be applied as electives towards your degree. There are various other Military Science courses that may be available but not part of the required ROTC curriculum. These include 404 Practicum (1-3 semester hours) and 405 Leadership Special Topic (1-4 semester hours).

The Basic Course

The ROTC program is divided between the Basic Course and the Advance Course. The Basic Course consists of Freshman and Sophomore classes. Any student may take any Basic Course and the physical conditioning classes without pre-requisite or military obligation. The Basic Courses classes are:
MLS101 Introduction to Military Leadership Skills (2 credits)
MLS102 Basic Leadership Skills and Concepts (2 credits)
MLS201 Leadership Development and Life Skills (3 credits)
MLS202 Leadership Management and Team Building (3 credits)

The physical conditioning class is:
MLS106 Army Physical Conditioning and Training (co-requisite taken every semester with Basic and Advanced courses. 1 credit)

The Advance Course

Only qualified, contracted ROTC cadets may take Advance Course classes:
MLS301 Small Unit Tactics and Operations (3 credits)
MLS302 Applied Leadership and Tactics Training (3 credits)
*MLS303 Warrior Forge (3 credits)
MLS401 The Army Officer: Roles and responsibilities (3 credits)

*Advance Course cadets must also complete Leadership Development and Assessment Course (5 paid weeks at Fort Lewis, Washington. Usually taken during the summer between their Junior and Senior year)

After the successful completion of ROTC requirements and graduation, Cadets commission as 2nd Lieutenants in the US Army. Cadets have the option of going into Active Duty, the Army Reserves, or the National Guard. Stipulations do apply. Contact Paul Fowler at: 406-461-6929 or paul.fowler@montana.edu for more information regarding commissioning, scholarships and enrollment options.

MLS101 - Introduction to Military Leadership Skills

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 2
Establishes a framework for understanding officership, leadership, Army values and physical fitness, time management, communications theory and practice (written and oral), and interpersonal relationships. These initial lessons form the building blocks of progressive lessons in values, fitness, leadership, and officership. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Prerequisite: MLS 106

MLS102 - Basic Leadership Skills and Concepts

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 2
Establishes a foundation of basic leadership fundamentals such as: problem solving, communications, military briefings, effective writing, goal setting, techniques for improving listening and speaking skills, in addition to an introduction to counseling. Provides students with a basic understanding of situational leadership as it applies to the military and how the basic concepts and practices relate to individuals and organizations. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Prerequisite: MLS 106

MLS106 - Army Physical Conditioning and Training

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 1
Develops confidence and discipline in mind and body through a regimented and challenging physical conditioning course. Designed to provide students a framework of fitness skills, planning and testing for a lifetime of health. The course consists of three Physical Training (PT) sessions per week that include: running, swimming, upper body, core development, sports, and team building exercises.
Co-requisite: Enrollment in another MLS course

MLS201 - Leadership Development and Life Skills

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 3
Develops an understanding of how to build teams, influence, communicate, a process for effective decision making, teaches creative problem solving, and the fundamentals of planning. Students identify successful leadership characteristics through observation of others and self through experiential learning exercises. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Co-requisite: MLS 106

MLS202 - Leadership Management and Team Building

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 3
Provides an advanced look at leadership principles and the application and practice of those principles. Examines building successful teams, various methods for influencing action, effective communication and achieving goals. Additionally, stresses the importance of timing the decision, creativity in the problem solving process, and obtaining team buy-in through immediate feedback. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Co-requisite: MLS 106

MLS203 - Ranger Challenge - Practicum

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 1
Provides a forum to execute and evaluate the leadership skills and abilities developed in practical exercises, tactical scenarios and peer mentorship. This course evaluates the tactical, technical, communication skills and duties common to all branches of the Army. Development of leadership and the ability to function effectively in small unit operations. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Co-requisite: MLS 101, MLS 201, MLS 301, MLS 401

MLS204 - Leadership Training Course - Practicum

Semester: Summer
Semester hours: 3
Provides a forum for the development of Military Leadership fundamentals. LTC is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course of ROTC. By transforming yourself through this rigorous training, you will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC Advanced Course on campus-provided you have two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

MLS301 - Small Unit Tactics and Operation

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Provides for the study, evaluation and practice of the adaptive leadership model in order to acquire the same. The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is used to develop self-awareness, behavior modification and critical thinking. Battle drills serves to assist in preparing the Student/Leader for Warrior Forge. Students conduct self-assessment of leadership style, develop personal fitness regimen, and learn to plan and conduct individual/small unit tactical training while testing reasoning and problem-solving techniques. Students receive direct feedback on leadership abilities. Restricted to contracted Military Science students. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Prerequisite: MLS 101, MLS 102, MLS 201, MLS 202, or MLS 204
Co-requisite: MLS 106

MLS302 - Applied Leadership and Tactics Training

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Provides a forum in order to execute and evaluate the leadership skills and abilities developed in practical exercises, tactical scenarios and mentorship. Evaluate the tactical, technical, administrative skills and duties common to all branches of the Army. Development of leadership behaviors and the ability to function effectively in small unit operations. Examines the role communications, values, and ethics play in the leadership role. Topics include: ethical decision-making, consideration of others, spirituality in the military, and case studies of effective leaders. Explores the leader’s role in planning, directing and coordinating the efforts of individuals and small groups in tactical missions. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Prerequisite: MLS 301
Co-requisite: MLS 106

MLS303 - Warrior Forge

Semester: Summer
Semester hours: 3
Provides an environment in which to evaluate and enhance Students’ leadership abilities in a controlled and challenging environment. This serves as U.S. Army Cadet Command’s flagship training and assessment exercise held at Ft. Lewis, Washington each summer. Every Army ROTC Cadet hoping to pin-on the gold bar of an Army lieutenant must successfully complete Warrior Forge. After graduation, most attendees will go back to their colleges or universities to finish their degrees and then be commissioned.
Prerequisite: MLS 302

MLS401 - The Army Officer: Roles and Responsibilities

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Develops proficiency in planning and executing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and mentoring subordinates. Students explore training management, methods of effective team collaboration, and developmental counseling techniques. The application of leadership principles and techniques involved in leading young men and women in today’s Army. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Co-requisite: MLS 106

MLS402 - Officership: Ethics and Justice in the Army

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Focuses on case study analysis of military law and practical exercises on establishing an ethical command climate. Future Leaders must complete a semester long Senior Leadership Project that requires them to plan, organize, collaborate, analyze, and demonstrate their leadership skills. Understanding of the ethical components of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and civil rights legislation. Study of the Military justice system and Army law administrations. Exploration of the dynamics of leading in complex situations. Preparation for transition from college student to commissioned Officer in the Army. A laboratory component is required which includes physical fitness training, and other outdoor skills.
Co-requisite: MLS 106

MLS404 - Advanced Leadership Practicum

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 1-3
Provides a study in military tactics, leadership and organizational behavior. Closely supervised by military Officers in order to provide one-on-one developmental counseling and mentorship. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

MLS405 - Leadership Special Topic

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 1-4
Provides a course of study not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need. Serves the needs of the Instructor and/or Student(s) otherwise not covered in any other class or curriculum.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor