Assistant Professor of Military Science - Jon D. Walker; Captain Nicholas Vain; Jason Johnston
Mount Aloysius College offers students, or cadets, an opportunity to experience the rewards and demands of military leadership. Highly competitive cadets may be offered a contract for service and, if accepted, earn their commissions as officers within the United States Army upon graduation. Graduates earn the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and may elect to serve in one of three components: Active Duty, United States Army Reserves, or Army National Guard.
Overview
The Army ROTC program is comprised of two phases: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. During both courses, cadets will learn leadership and management skills by operating within their own military-styled organizations. They will learn basic skills and, as their proficiency increases with their academic class ranking, they will gain responsibilities for demonstrating those skills to newer cadets. All cadets, regardless of military science class, will participate in physical training three mornings each week and in a combined leadership laboratory session. Physical training is comprised of cadet led and developed muscular strength and endurance training. No prior physical fitness or athletics is necessary. The leadership laboratory sessions are the true hands-on Army training and will include first aid, survival skills, rappelling, basic rifle marksmanship, land navigation, and light infantry techniques that all Soldiers, including officers, must learn. Additionally, cadets attend weekly classes to study Army doctrine and leadership theories and practices that are in high demand across all disciplines and in all professions, civilian and military.
The Army ROTC Basic Course
The Basic Course offers students a chance to experience Army life while still fulfilling their roles as students at Mount Aloysius College. During the basic course, students learn the historical role of military forces as well as current military objectives. Coursework covers problem solving and decision-making, goal setting, time management, and numerous fundamental concepts and techniques unique to the United States Army. Any student may elect to participate in the Basic Course without signing a contract that obligates them to service. The Basic Course is comprised of the following classes:
- MLSC 101 - Introduction to the Army - 2 Credits
- MLSC 102 - Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership - 2 Credits
- MLSC 203 - Leadership and Decision Making - 2 Credits
- MLSC 204 - Army Doctrine and Team Development - 2 Credits
Students with a prior military background or whom volunteer to participate in the United States Army Cadet Command Basic Camp, a 30-day resident program held during the summer at Fort Knox, KY, may have the Basic Course requirements waived. Cadets who complete MLSC 101, 102, 203, & 204 are not required to attend Basic Camp. Contact the Military Science instructor for more information and to determine eligibility.
The Army ROTC Advanced Course
The Advanced Course is designed for junior and senior class cadets who have demonstrated a desire to serve as commissioned officers upon graduation. Only cadets who accept a contract for service will be admitted into the Advanced Course. During the junior year, cadets will be heavily focused on individual, team, squad, and platoon-level leadership techniques and tactics in preparation for Advanced Camp, a culminating 30-day resident course held during the summer at Fort Knox, KY. Additional topics include elements of mission command, orientation to the various branches and components of the Army, and effective evaluation techniques.
During the senior year, cadets will learn how the United States Army operates within the total Joint Force and how the Army operates with coalition partners and other nations’ militaries. Courses in military law, advanced coaching and mentoring, and how various Army programs and systems function round out the final year of military science coursework. Additionally, they will select their job, or branch, preferences and determine if they wish to serve as full-time or part-time officers upon graduation.
The Advanced Course is comprised of the following courses:
- MLSC 305 - Training Management and the Warfighting Functions - 3 Credits
- MLSC 306 - Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations - 3 Credits
- MLSC 407 - The Army Officer - 3 Credits
- MLSC 408 - Company Grade Leadership - 3 Credits
Advanced Course classes may be taught at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Cadets are responsible for their travel to and from IUP.
The complete 20 credit Army ROTC coursework includes:
- MLSC 101 - Introduction to the Army - 2 Credits
- MLSC 102 - Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership - 2 Credits
- MLSC 203 - Leadership and Decision Making - 2 Credits
- MLSC 204 - Army Doctrine and Team Development - 2 Credits
- MLSC 305 - Training Management and the Warfighting Functions - 3 Credits
- MLSC 306 - Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations - 3 Credits
- MLSC 407 - The Army Officer - 3 Credits
- MLSC 408 - Company Grade Leadership - 3 Credits
Scholarships and Incentives
In addition to uniforms, equipment, textbooks, and other class materials for all students, the Army ROTC program offers a host of scholarships and financial incentives for students who sign a contract. They include but are not limited to:
- Scholarships, up to 100% of tuition and fees for up to 5 years OR $10,000 annually. Scholarships are available to students already enrolled at Mount Aloysius College. Prospective Mount Aloysius College students may compete for scholarships during the fall and winter of their senior year of high school. Go to www.goarmy.com/rotc or contact the Military Science instructor for more information.
- Book stipends of $600/semester
- A monthly stipend ($420), prorated for days enrolled in classes during the fall and spring semesters.
- 30-day, fully funded foreign travel experiences during the summer months to a wide variety of locations.
- 30-day, fully-funded internships with various Federal Government Agencies, the Department of Defense (DoD), and industry partners. Cadets may also volunteer for a 3-week tour shadowing an Army officer during their duties (peacetime) at any number of military installations.
Nursing cadets will attend a 30-day, fully funded clinical rotation through an Army hospital and gain hands-on patient care experience under the observation of Army nurses, doctors, and other healthcare practitioners.
Opportunities to compete for various Army and DoD professional development programs. Some of those programs are the United States Army Airborne School (paratrooper training concluding with five jumps from an aircraft in flight), The Combat Diver Qualification Course, and the United States Army Air Assault Course (fast-rope from helicopters in flight).
Welcome back, Mounties. Let’s make this semester the best yet! #MAC
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