Military Training Programs
Military Science—Army ROTC
1910 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608-262-3411; www.badgerrotc.com
Professor Lieutenant Colonel Pitz; Assistant Professor Major Mahnke
The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is the nation's largest leadership and management-development training program. It offers the opportunity to qualify for a commission as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard while pursuing an academic degree. It enables young men and women to prepare themselves to be leaders in the Army or the civilian career field of their choice. The traditional four-year Army ROTC Program is divided into a two-year Basic Course and a two-year Advanced Course. A student enrolled in the Basic Course does not incur a military service obligation.
Basic Course
This instruction introduces the student to fundamental subjects. It is normally taken over four successive semesters, but it may be completed in as few as two semesters; students should discuss available options with a military science advisor before registering for courses. The regular curriculum consists of Military Science (Mil Sci) 101 and 102, taken during the freshman year, and Mil Sci 201 and 202 taken during the sophomore year. Each of these courses includes lectures, seminars, and leadership laboratories. Labs are intended to provide practical leadership experience and adventure training—for example, rapelling, map reading and land navigation, and rifle/pistol marksmanship.
Advanced Course
Students who have completed the Basic Course or an equivalency (see Two-Year Program), pass a medical examination, and meet commissioning criteria may apply to the Professor of Military Science for entry into the Advanced Course. This course consists of Mil Sci 301, 302, 401, and 402, and a six-week summer camp at a military installation. Each of the military science courses involves lectures and seminars, leadership laboratories, and physical training classes. The labs and physical training sessions are intended to provide practical leadership opportunities while preparing students for summer camp. Students normally attend summer camp between their junior and senior years of military science. Satisfactory completion of each component of this course is mandatory for students seeking a commission.
Two-Year Program
Students who are veterans, members of the Army National Guard/Army Reserve, or who have participated in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program in high school may qualify for direct entry into the Advanced Course. In addition, students who did not enroll in the Basic Course may be granted credit for that phase of the program upon satisfactory completion of a five-week Summer Internship (Leader's Training Course); they may attend the internship as long as they have two years of academic study remaining. Students who believe that they qualify for this program should consult with a military science advisor.
Scholarships
Qualified freshman and sophomore students may compete for Army ROTC scholarships ranging from one to four years in duration. Students need not be enrolled in Army ROTC to apply for these scholarships. These scholarships are awarded solely on merit. They pay full tuition, selected fees, a $600/semester allowance for textbooks and an allowance of $300-$500 for each month of the regular school year. Interested students should consult with a military science advisor concerning the exact deadlines for submission of applications. Applications are completed during January and February each year to start benefits the following fall semester. For additional information about Army ROTC, students may contact Major Mahnke in the Department of Military Science, 1910 Linden Drive, 262-9758.