Military Science 411
MSCI 411: The Army Officer
Prerequisites: MSCI 312. Department chair authorization is also required.
Credit Hours: (4) Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory; three hours physical training
In this course the student will learn to plan, develop, and supervise military training events. The student will also demonstrate an understanding of the Army staff processes, Army commander's programs, and the theory and rpactice of mission command.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This is an academically challenging course in which the student will study, practice, develop, and apply critical thinking skills pertaining to Army Leadership, officer skills, Army Values and ethics, and personal development. This course includes reading assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, a written term paper, and a final exam. Student leadership will be assessed in the execution of Physical Training, Leadership Labs, and during the Field Training Exercise (FTX). The student will receive feedback on their leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from ROTC instructors. At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to plan, coordinate, navigate, motivate, and lead a platoon in future operational environments. Successful completion of this course is a mandatory requirement for commissioning.
Focus. Develops leadership and technical/tactical skills through performance as trainer/supervisor. Training is supplementary and includes leadership, written and oral communications, operations and tactics, physical fitness, training management and general military subjects, including:
1) Training Units and Developing leaders
2) Commander and Staff Organization
3) The Military Decision Making Process
4) Operations Orders and Rehearsals
5) Mission Command
6) Risk Management
7) The Officer as the Moral Exemplar
8) Army Ethics
9) Army Equal opportunity and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention programs
10) Personal Financial Management
11) Civil Military Relations
12) Media Relations
13) Uniform Code of Military Justice/Discipline and Separations
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) Evaluate the how and why commanders cross-functionality organize their staff in a way to most efficiently exercise mission command and C2 military operations.
2) Analyze the Army's EO and SHARP programs as they relate to the Army Values, Warrior Ethos and the Soldier's Creed.
3) Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics, concepts, membership requirements, the five essential characteristics, and certification criteria of a profession and an Army professional.
4) Describe the elements and merits of the Army PME
5) Demonstrate an understanding of the Army Leader ethics early in the ROTC experience to set the conditions to take moral/legal action when confronted with future ethical and moral combat dilemmas/situations
6) Demonstrate an understanding of judicial punishment, common officer roles, search and seizure procedures, and Soldier's rights.
7) Demonstrate an understanding of administrative discipline and separation procedures.
8) Demonstrate an understanding of both the Army's concepts of training and leader development and the role of the commander in training and leader development.
9) Complete company training meetings.
10) Complete risk management for training events.
11) Assess unit training through leadership labs.
12) Demonstrate an understanding of the decisive action training environment.
13) Apply the concepts of the Law of Land Warfare and Rules of Engagement.
Assessment Measures
Graded assignments will include in-class examinations, briefing, physical fitness test and written assignments. The grading scale is listed below:
Class Participation 10%
Online Assignments 10%
Mid Term and Final Exam 20%
Information Brief 10%
COER Support Form 10%
Physical Fitness (APFT&HT/WT) 20%
Term Project 20%
Additionally, cadets who participate in extracurricular events (supporting community service projects, such as Color Guard, Polar Plunge, 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/Platoon 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
April 18, 2017
March 16, 1998 Updated MAJ Perry N. Caskey