Military Science 311

MSCI 311: Training Management and Warfighting Functions

Prerequisites: MSCI 212 or placement credit as determined by the Professor of Military Science for qualified veterans of military service. Department chair authorization is also required.

Credit Hours: (4) Three hours lecture; two hours laboratory; three hours physical training

This course includes introduction to planning and leading military training using the Army troop leading procedures. Students are introduced to the six Army Warfighting Functions and how they work together to accomplish the commander's intent in Army operations.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

This course is driven by the Professional Competence Army Learning Area (ALA). This includes introduction to squad/platoon tactical operations using troop leading procedures and battle drills to achieve the assigned mission within the commander's intent. Students are introduced to the six Army Warfighting Functions and how they work together to accomplish the commander's intent in Army operations. Through the introduction of the Leadership Lab Practicum the student will learn to plan, resource, and execute training of subordinates within the Leadership Labs. This experience gives the student the opportunity to work on their teamwork and leadership skills  in a hands-on performance-oriented environment. Students are also evaluated as leaders of a 10-person team and alternately as a leader of a five person team, assigned various tasks to complete during a 48-hour off-campus exercise.

Focus. Continues development of cadet competencies and confidence through intermediate leadership and technical/tactical instruction. Training is supplementary in scope and includes leadership, written and oral communication, operations and tactics, land navigation, physical fitness, weapons, and general military subjects. Specific topics include:

1) Map Reading and Land Navigation
2) Training Management Process
3) Troop Leading Procedures/ Rehearsals and Pre-execution checks
4) Military Orders (Operations Orders, Warning Orders, Fragmentary Orders)
5) Actions on the Objective /squad battle drills
6) Squad Operations Order briefs
7) War Fighting Funtions: Mission command, Intelligence, Fires, Sustainment, Protection
8) Military Terms and Symbols
9) Military Communications - radio operations and procedures
10) Peer Leadership

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

An informal approach will be used to educate students about Military Science topics. The course emphasizes advanced level topics pertaining to the U.S. Army organization and role. The three-hour class is summarized as "lecture" or informal discussion. A two-hour laboratory is devoted to hands on training in advanced military skills.

Goals and Objective of the Course

1) Demonstrate the ability to perform land navigation and become proficient at map reading fundamentals.
2) Apply the Troop Leading Procedures to a military problem.
3) Produce a squad Operations Order.
4) Conduct a rehersal and pre-execution check on squad members.
5) Conduct an Operations Order brief.
6) Demonstrate proficiency in leading squad battle drills.
7) Describe the warfighting functions and the branches that fall into each.
8) Employ military radios to deliver miltary message traffic.

Assessment Measures

Graded assignments will include in-class examinations, briefing, physical fitness test and written assignments. The grading scale is listed below:

GRADING CRITERIA FOR ENROLLED STUDENTS                VALUE
    Quizzes                                                                                  20%
    Land Navigation Exam                                                          5%
    Mid Term and Final Exam                                                      20%
    Term paper                                                                             20%
    6 Mile Road March                                                                 5%
    Physical Fitness (APFT&HT/WT)                                          10%
    Attendance & Participation                                                   20%

Additionally, students who participate in extracurricular events (supporting community service projects, such as Color Guard, Polar Plunge, and Highlander Days) Can earn up to 10 points for extra credit.

Other Course Information

Leadership Lab Focus. Serves as learning laboratories for hands-on practical experiences. Training is supplementary and includes operations and tactics, land navigation and radio and wire communication subjects. The APFT is administered to assess the state of physical development. Specific lab topics include:

1) Establish a patrol base
2) Squad level Tactics, Basic Infantry Battledrills
3) Communicate on a Tactical Radio
4) Navigate using a map / compass
5) Prepare Squad Combat Orders
6) Conduct Pre-Combat inspection for FTX
7) Conduct equipment recovery operations
8) Individual movement techniques
9) Army Physical Fitness Test
10) Combat Water Survival Test (CWST)

Fall Field Training Exercise

Focus. Continues development of leader skills in a field environment. The focus is on soldier-team development at small unit level. Training is supplementary and includes leadership, operations and tactics, and land navigation subjects. Special topics including military mountaineering, field survival skills, individual tactical techniques, and small unit tactical operations are covered. Specific topics include:

1) Establish a Patrol Base
2) Individual Tactical Training
3) Squad Tactics/Patrolling
4) Team leadership, communication and teamwork
5) Supplemental weapons instruction

Cadet Command Events

1. Awards Ceremony
2) Physical Training (two to five times per week)

Review and Approval

February 27, 2017 Updated MAJ Stephen Ray
March 16, 1998 Updated MAJ Perry N. Caskey