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 percent tuition & fees (minus aviation), $1,200 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 advanced course (junior and senior courses). Any student may take a basic course and physical fitness classes without military obligation or prerequisites. Advanced 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.

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 semester hours from the advanced courses in the military science curriculum may be applied as electives toward the student’s degree. There are various other military science courses that may be available but are not part of the required ROTC curriculum.

Basic Course

The ROTC program is divided between the basic course and the advanced course. The basic course consists of freshman and sophomore classes. Any student may take any basic course and the physical conditioning classes without prerequisite or military obligation. The basic course classes are:

MSL 101: Introduction to the Army
MSL 102: Intro to Tactical Leadership
MSL 201: Leadership and Ethics
MSL 202: Foundations of Tactical Leadership

The physical conditioning class is:

MSL 106: Army Physical Fitness (corequisite taken every semester with basic and advanced courses).

Advanced Course

Only qualified, contracted ROTC cadets may take advanced course classes:

MSL 301: Training Management and Warfighting Functions
MSL 302: Applied Team Leadership
MSL 305: Leadership Development Assessment Course
MSL 401: The Army Officer

After the successful completion of ROTC requirements and graduation, cadets are commissioned as 2nd lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Cadets have the option of going into active duty, the Army Reserves, or the National Guard. Stipulations do apply.

MSL 101 – Introduction to the Army

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 3

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. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 102 – Intro to Tactical Leadership

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. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 106 – Army Physical Fitness

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. 

Corequisite: enrollment in another MSL course

MSL 201 – Leadership and Ethics

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 3

Develops an understanding of how to build teams, influence, and communicate, along with the processes for effective decision-making, creative problem-solving, and fundamentals of planning. Students identify successful leadership through experiential learning exercises. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 202 – Foundations of Tactical Leadership

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 decisions, creativity in the problem-solving process, and obtaining team buy-in through immediate feedback. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 204 – Basic Camp

Semester: Summer
Semester hours: 1-6

Provides a forum for the development of military leadership fundamentals. Leadership Training Course (LTC) is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course of ROTC (freshman and sophomore years on campus). By transforming themselves through this rigorous training, students will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC Advanced Course on campus, provided they have two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate).

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor

MSL 205 – American Military History

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

Presents the study of the evolution of the American Military, with concentration of the evolution of the American military within the context of national historical development, specifically with regard to industrialization, national security, and the United States’ evolving international role and policies. Includes study of significant battles throughout our history of warfare, which includes a field trip to a historical battleground.

Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 292 – Independent Study

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 1-6

Provides an opportunity for freshmen and sophomore students to explore material not covered by regular Military Science Student courses. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 301 – Training Management and Warfighting Functions

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 serve 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. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.

Prerequisite: MSL 101, MSL 102, MSL 201, or MSL 202
Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 302 – Applied Team Leadership

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. Evaluates the tactical, technical, and administrative skills and duties common to all branches of the Army. Develops 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, considerations 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. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Prerequisite: MSL 301
Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 401 – The Army Officer

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 an effective team collaboration, and developmental counseling techniques, as well as the application of leadership principles and techniques involved in leading young men and women in today’s Army. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 402 – Leadership in a Complex World

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

Focuses on case study analysis of military law and practical exercises in 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. The course includes 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, explorations of the dynamics of leading in complex situations, and preparation for transition from college student to commissioned Officer in the Army. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 491 – Leadership Special Topics

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 1-6

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 otherwise not covered in any other class or curriculum. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Corequisite: MSL 106

MSL 492 – Independent Study

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 1-6

Provides a study in military tactics, leadership, and organizational behavior. Students are closely supervised by military officers to provide one-on-one developmental counseling and mentorship. Restricted to contracted Military Science students. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills.

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Corequisite: MSL 106