2024-2025 Academic Catalog

MSL - Military Science

MSL 101 Introduction to the Army

The MSL I course produces a Cadet who accepts the Army as a values-based organization and embraces the scholar-athlete-warrior ethos; who is familiar with individual roles and responsibilities in support of team efforts and problem solving processes in military and non-military situations; who demonstrates oral and written communication skills, understands resilience, and demonstrates a commitment to learning. Live Honorably & Build Trust and Communicate and Interact Effectively. MSL101 introduces Cadets to the Army and the Profession of Arms. Students will examine the Army Profession and what it means to be a professional in the U.S. Army. The overall focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of the Army Leadership Requirements Model while gaining a big picture understanding of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. Cadets also learn how resiliency and fitness supports their development as an Army leader. As you become further acquainted with MSL101, you will learn the structure of the ROTC Basic Course program consisting of MSL101, 102, 201, 202, Fall and Spring Leadership Labs, and Basic Camp. The focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of Army leadership dimensions, attributes and core leader competencies while gaining an understanding of the ROTC program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student.

MSL 102 Foundations of Leadership

MSL102, Foundations of Leadership, introduces Cadets to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Cadets learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting, and communication. Cadets learn the basics of the communications process and the importance for leaders to develop the essential skills to effectively communicate in the Army. Cadets will begin learning the basics of squad level tactics that will be reinforced during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets, supervised by MS IVs and cadre.

MSL 201 Leadership and Ethics

MSL201 focuses on leadership and ethics. The course adds depth to the Cadets knowledge of the different leadership styles. Cadets will conduct a leadership analysis of famous leaders and self-assessment of their own leadership style. The Army Profession is also stressed through understanding values, ethics and how to apply both to different situations they may encounter as a leader. Army Values and Ethics and their relationship to the Law of Land Warfare and philosophy of military service are also stressed. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets, supervised by MS IV’s and cadre.

MSL 202 Army Doctrine and Decision Making

MSL202 focuses on Army doctrine and decision making. The course begins with analytical techniques, creative thinking skills and the Army problem solving process as related to situations faced by leaders when making decisions. TLPs and OPORD will lead Cadets to an understanding of Army Doctrine and Symbology. Squad tactics will be covered in classes on Unified Land Operations, Offensive Operations and Defensive Operations. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MS III Cadets and supervised by cadre.

MSL 206 A History of the US Military

In Peace and War: A History of the US Military. Beginning just before the Revolutionary War and ending in the present, this course examines the US military experience in times of both peace and conflict. Students will read relevant literature, explore historic approaches to war, US military institutions, military leadership, and civilian-military relations against the backdrop of US history more generally. In addition, this class considers works of military history, theory, and scholarship that long pre-dates the United States as important context for understanding our own military's evolution. Reading ranges across disciplines and genres, including political science, international relations, biography, and war and battle narratives.

MSL 301 Trng Mgt/Warfighting Functions

MSL 301 and 303 (lab) focuses on training management and the warfighting functions. It is an academically challenging course and lab were you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Training Management and how the Army operates through the Warfighting functions. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, preparing, and executing training for a squad conducting small unit tactics. Lab is once per week using peer facilitation and is overseen by MSL IVs and is supervised by ROTC Cadre.

MSL 302 Applied Leadership Small Unit Operations

MSL 302 and 304 (lab) focuses on applied leadership in small unit operations. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of direct level leadership and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a platoon in the execution of a mission. Includes a lab per week using peer facilitation overseen by MS IVs, supervised by ROTC Cadre. Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the Cadet Summer Training Advance Camp, which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY.

MSL 303 Leadership Laboratory

MSL 301 and 303 (lab) focuses on training management and the warfighting functions. It is an academically challenging course and lab were you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Training Management and how the Army operates through the Warfighting functions. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, preparing, and executing training for a squad conducting small unit tactics. Lab is once per week using peer facilitation and is overseen by MSL IVs and is supervised by ROTC Cadre.

MSL 304 Leadership Laboratory

MSL 302 and 304 (lab) focuses on applied leadership in small unit operations. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of direct level leadership and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a platoon in the execution of a mission. Includes a lab per week using peer facilitation overseen by MSL IVs, supervised by ROTC Cadre. Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the Cadet Summer Training Advance Camp, which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY.

MSL 315 Drill and Conditioning 1

This course prepares students and cadets for the physical challenge of leading soldiers and familiarizes students with Army physical fitness standards and training. Students participate in physical training to improve muscular strength & endurance, cardio respiratory endurance, core stability, flexibility, and body composition (fat versus lean body mass). Individual progress is measured by assessments throughout the semester.

MSL 316 Drill and Conditioning 2

This course prepares students and cadets for the physical challenge of leading soldiers and familiarizes students with Army physical fitness standards and training. Students participate in physical training to improve muscular strength & endurance, cardio respiratory endurance, core stability, flexibility, and body composition (fat versus lean body mass). Individual progress is measured by assessments throughout the semester.

MSL 401 The Army Officer

MSL 401 and 403(lab) focuses on development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course were you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, resource, and assess training at the small unit level. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning, and legal responsibilities. At the conclusion of this course, you will be familiar with how to plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess the conduct of training at the company or field grade officer level. Includes a lab per week overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre.

MSL 402 Company Grade Leadership

MSL 402 and 404(lab) are academically challenging courses were you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities required of junior officers pertaining to the Army in Unified Land Operations and Company Grade Officer roles and responsibilities. This course and lab includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and an Oral Practicum as the final exam. The Oral Practicum explores your knowledge of how you will be prepared for the 20 Army Warfighting Challenges (AWFC) covered throughout the ROTC Advanced Course. Successful completion of these courses will assist in preparing you for your BOLC B course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Includes a lab per week overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre.

MSL 403 Advanced Leadership Practicum

MSL 401 and 403(lab) focuses on development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course were you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, resource, and assess training at the small unit level. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning, and legal responsibilities. At the conclusion of this course, you will be familiar with how to plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess the conduct of training at the company or field grade officer level. Includes a lab per week overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre.

MSL 404 Advanced Leadership Practicum

MSL 402 and 404(lab) are academically challenging courses were you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities required of junior officers pertaining to the Army in Unified Land Operations and Company Grade Officer roles and responsibilities. This course and lab includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and an Oral Practicum as the final exam. The Oral Practicum explores your knowledge of how you will be prepared for the 20 Army Warfighting Challenges (AWFC) covered throughout the ROTC Advanced Course. Successful completion of these courses will assist in preparing you for your BOLC B course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Includes a lab per week overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre.

MSL 415 Drill and Conditioning 3

This course prepares students and cadets for the physical challenge of leading soldiers and familiarizes students with Army physical fitness standards and training. Students participate in physical training to improve muscular strength & endurance, cardio respiratory endurance, core stability, flexibility, and body composition (fat versus lean body mass). Individual progress is measured by assessments throughout the semester.

MSL 416 Drill and Conditioning 4

This course prepares students and cadets for the physical challenge of leading soldiers and familiarizes students with Army physical fitness standards and training. Students participate in physical training to improve muscular strength & endurance, cardio respiratory endurance, core stability, flexibility, and body composition (fat versus lean body mass). Individual progress is measured by assessments throughout the semester.

MSL 485 Senior Cadet Independent Study

Military Science and Leadership 485 (fall) and 486 (spring) are 3 credit courses that consist of experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of varied topics. The class employs discussion, practical exercises, and writing requirements. Discussion sessions, practical exercise times, and the due dates of writing requirements will be coordinated between students and the instructor. MSL 485 and 486 are only offered to MS V cadets in their final year of college.

MSL 486 Senior Cadet Independent Study

Military Science and Leadership 485 (fall) and 486 (spring) are 3 credit courses that consist of experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of varied topics. The class employs discussion, practical exercises, and writing requirements. Discussion sessions, practical exercise times, and the due dates of writing requirements will be coordinated between students and the instructor. MSL 485 and 486 are only offered to MS V cadets in their final year of college.