Military Science and Leadership

LTC Andrew Morgan, Chair
Main Office: Activity Therapy Building
Telephone: (269) 387-8120
Fax: (269) 387-8112

Mr. Brett E. Johnson
Mrs. Cris Obreiter
MAJ Eric Dillman
MAJ Jeremy Latchaw
CPT Travis Payne
CPT Charles Solaita
MSG Robert Ryder
SFC Ivin Youngblood
Mr. Rick Rigsby
Mr. William Parks

The Department of Military Science and Leadership 1000 and 2000 level 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 Military Science and Leadership 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. Merit based ROTC scholarships are available to highly qualified students on a competitive basis without regard to financial need.

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 and Leadership program and conduct all classes offered by the department. The government provides uniforms and financial assistance for students who are contracted in the program.

Career Opportunities

Army ROTC increases opportunities for students by providing options and 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 as a second lieutenant and an assignment in either active or reserve forces duty.

The active duty career option is usually a minimum of three years for non-scholarship students and assignment to a leadership position similar to the junior management level in the civilian sector. Scholarship students generally have longer active duty commitments. Scholarship students generally have longer active duty commitments. The starting salary for a second lieutenant on active duty is approximately $46,500, 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 the Basic Officer Leader Course and the remainder of an eight-year obligation in the reserve forces.

ROTC Admission Requirements

The 1000 and 2000 level 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) and take 3000 and 4000 level ROTC courses 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, and meet specified benchmarking standards and other contracting criteria.

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 high school seniors. 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 full tuition at WMU and provide $1200 annually for books and fees. They also provide a monthly living stipend. Nursing scholarships are available which cover all of the above plus pay for select nursing fees. Additionally, WMU provides Army ROTC scholarship winners with an additional $3,000 annually towards on-campus housing.

Facilities

The department is located in the Activity Therapy Building adjacent to the College of Health and Human Services and features two drill halls, classroom facilities, a computer lab, a weapons simulator, and supply facilities. Leadership labs are conducted in the field areas near the department’s building. The department also operates the rappel tower located on campus and conducts field training at Fort Custer Training Center near Augusta, Michigan.

More information about the ROTC program is available at the ROTC office in the Activity Therapy Building, by calling (269) 387-8120 or (269) 387-8122, or online at http://www.wmich.edu/rotc.