Military Science

LTC Donald V. Phillips, Chair
LTC (RET) Brett E. Johnson
MAJ Timothy J. Russell
MAJ Max George
MAJ Heidi Fouty
CAPT Chad McDaniel
MSG Dennis Willman
SFC Douglas Merritt
Mr. Darrel Donaldson
Mr. Donald Johnson
Mrs. Cris Obreiter

The Department of Military Science lower courses are open to all University students. Courses are intended to develop responsibility, individual confidence, leadership and tactical skills, and to broaden students’ knowledge of the role of the military in society. The department offers a four-year and a two-year Military Science program, which can lead to an officer’s commission in the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or Regular Army upon successful completion of the program. ROTC scholarships are available to highly qualified students.

The chair of the department and all instructors are officers or noncommissioned officers of the United States Army assigned to the department by permission of the University. They administer the military science program and conduct all classes offered by the department. The government provides uniforms for all Advanced Course students as well as additional financial assistance for students in the last two years of the program.

Career Opportunities

Army ROTC increases opportunities for students by giving them options and by developing leadership potential for a civilian and/or military career. To enter the Advanced Course, a student agrees to finish the ROTC instruction, then accept a commission and an assignment in either active or reserve forces duty.

The active duty career option is usually three years for non-scholarship students, and assignment to a leadership position similar to the junior management level in the civilian sector. Starting salary for a second lieutenant on active duty is approximately $33,600, plus benefits.

The reserve forces career option combines the benefits of a civilian job with the leadership and management experience gained in the Army Reserve or National Guard. The reserve forces obligation is three to six months on active duty (attending a military branch school for the Officer Basic Course) and the remainder of an eight-year obligation in the reserve forces.

ROTC Admission Requirements

ROTC courses are open to all University students with no military obligation as participating students.

To be eligible to enter into the Advanced Course (Commissioning Program) students must be a full time student; be a U.S. Citizen; be not more than 31 years of age at the time of commissioning; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; not be a single parent; satisfy the Basic Course requirements either through attendance at ROTC Camp Challenge, prior military service, or successfully passing all Basic Course academic requirements; be able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test; be of good character as evidenced by no record of disciplinary problems or civil convictions; not be an alcohol abuser or drug user; and pass a Military Entrance Physical Exam.

Scholarships

Army ROTC has one of the largest scholarship programs in the nation.

Awards are competitively based on ability, not on income. ROTC scholarships are offered for two, three, and four years. Four-year scholarships are awarded to incoming college freshman. Three-year and two-year scholarships are awarded to students already enrolled in the university. It is not a requirement to be enrolled in ROTC to compete for a scholarship.

ROTC scholarships pay for fulfill tuition at WMU and provide $900 annually for books and fees. They also provide between $2,500 and $4,000 annually (depending on academic standing) living stipend. Nursing scholarships are available which cover all of the above plus pay for select nursing fees. Additionally, WMU may provide Army ROTC scholarship winners with a supplemental allocation up to $3,500.

Facilities

The department is located in the AT Building, with a drill hall and classroom facilities. Special training is also conducted at Fort Custer Army Reserve Training Center near Augusta, Michigan.

More information about the ROTC program is available at the ROTC office in the AT Building by calling (269) 387-8120 or (269) 387-8122.

Four Year Program

The four-year military science program is divided into a Basic Course (first two years) and an Advanced Course (last two years) and is offered as a minor program by the University. Students who participate in the Basic Course are under no obligation to the active Army or the reserves.

Basic Course

The Basic Course is designed to give students a general knowledge of the role of national defense and also provides knowledge of leadership skills needed by military officers. Students completing the Basic Course have an opportunity to be considered for the Advanced Course program and obtain a commission in the active Army or Reserve Components. ROTC students take at least one military science course each semester. First year students normally take MSL 1010 in the fall and MSL 1020 in the spring semester. Sophomore students take MSL 2010 during the fall and MSL 2020 during the spring.

Exceptions to the above requirements must be approved by the chair of the department. Students who have had three years of junior ROTC (High School JROTC) or more than six months of active military service may, with the approval of the chair of the department, have certain portions of the Basic Course waived. Students transferring from other institutions who have started either Army or Air Force ROTC will have their records reviewed to determine proper placement credit.

Advanced Course

Students successfully completing the Basic Course may be enrolled in the Advanced Course with the permission of the chair of the department. The major emphasis of the Advanced Course is the development of individual leadership and military skills. During the junior year, students complete MSL 3010 and 3020. Between the junior and senior year, students will attend a five-week camp. During the senior year, students complete MSL 4010 and MSL 4020. Course work is also required of students in the areas of history, behavioral sciences, written communications, mathematics, and computer science in order to complete the Military Science minor. These courses will be taken in the general education distribution program areas. The Department of Military Science advisor should be consulted on the specific courses which satisfy these requirements. Exceptions must be approved by the chair of the department.

Two Year Commissioning Program

For those students who are transferring into the University, graduate students, and currently enrolled students who have not taken military science classes, but desire to be commissioned as a second lieutenant, a two year program is available. Students enter this program by applying for attendance to a four-week Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Attendance and successful completion of the Leaders Training Course is substituted for the Basic Course classes. The student is trained, fed, and housed at the expense of the government. The student also receives travel pay plus a salary of approximately $761. Contact the Department of Military Science for details.

Veterans need only to complete the Advanced Course requirements while they are finishing the overall degree requirements in order to be eligible for a commission.

Contracted students in the two-year program receive uniforms and a non-taxable subsistence allowance of $350 per month during the junior year and $400 per month during the senior year.