Army — Military Science

The purpose of the Army ROTC program is to select, train, and motivate the future leadership of the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The curriculum is available to both men and women and prepares students to become effective leaders and managers in a variety of challenging fields.

The Army ROTC curriculum is divided into two courses: a Basic Military Course open to all students and an Advanced Military Course for qualified juniors, seniors and graduate students. The Basic Military Course serves to acquaint Auburn students with the Army and its role in our society; The Advanced Military Course prepares students for service as commissioned officers. Successful completion of both courses and award of a bachelor’s degree constitute the normal progression to earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant. Students who are undecided about pursuit of a commission may participate in the Basic Military Course. This affords freshman and sophomore students the opportunity to make an informed decision on the advantages of an officer’s commission while incurring no military obligation.

The Basic Military Course

The Basic Military Course consists of a four-semester block of instruction normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Successful completion of MILS 1010, MILS 1020, MILS 2010, and MILS 2020 with a leadership lab (MILS 1011, MILS 2021, MILS 2011, and MILS 2021) satisfies the academic requirements for progression to the Advanced Military Course. Two credit hours per semester are earned for the lecture and lab. Subject to departmental approval, students may complete all four courses in one academic year.

The basic military science courses provide unique classroom and hands-on instruction in orienteering, small unit tactics, first aid, physical fitness, and leadership skills. They introduce the student to the Army as a profession, lay the foundation of value-based, ethical decision-making, illuminating the Army’s place in society preparing the Cadet for the Advanced Military Course that follows. The Professor of Military Science may admit the student to the Advanced Military Course upon completion of these courses and labs. Contracted Cadets currently receive a tax-free allowance of $420 per month while enrolled.

Courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters and credits earned may be applied as elective credits toward degree requirements in all schools of the university.

Basic Camp — Cadet Summer Training (CST)

Students who are unable to complete the Basic Military Course during their freshman and sophomore years may qualify for admission to the Advanced Course by successfully completing Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Basic Camp consists of approximately five weeks of training conducted during the summer months. Students desiring to exercise this option are required to submit a formal application and pass a general medical physical and a physical fitness test. Students who participate in the Basic Camp will receive approximately $900 in addition to travel expenses to and from Fort Knox. Uniforms, housing, medical care and meals are furnished by the Cadet Command during training.

Interested students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a military science course and leadership lab during the spring semester of their sophomore year. Deadline for application is May 15. All applicants must contact the Military Science Department no later than May 1.

The Advanced Military Course

Successful completion of the Basic Military Course or approved alternative training, a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, and medical qualifications are pre-requisites for enrollment in the Advanced Military Course. Service veterans, transfer students from junior or military colleges, members of the National Guard or Army Reserve, and former military academy Cadets may qualify for direct entry into the Advanced Military Course two academic years before their projected graduation.

The Advanced Military Course is designed to develop a Cadet’s leadership and management potential, physical stamina, Army Values, as well as the character traits desired of an Army officer. The program’s objective is to produce the highest caliber junior officer, fully capable of accepting command in the modern Army, exercising management responsibilities and serving the broader community.

The Advanced Military Course consists of a four-semester block of instruction taken during the junior and senior years (MILS 3010, MILS 3020, MILS 4010, and MILS 4020). Successful completion of the courses, with a leadership lab (MILS 3011, MILS 3021, MILS 4011, and MILS 4021) each semester fulfills military science academic requirements for award of an officer’s commission. Three credit hours per semester are earned for the lecture and laboratory. Cadets currently receive a tax-free allowance of $420 per month while enrolled.

Students enrolled in the Advanced Military Course are required to successfully complete approximately five weeks of leadership training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the summer to become eligible for commissioning. Attendance at Advanced Camp normally occurs in the summer following the junior year. The purpose of the course is to provide each Cadet hands-on experience in leadership development as well as extensive training in military tactics, techniques and related subjects vital to success as a junior officer. Cadets attending the Advanced Camp receive approximately $900 in addition to travel expenses to and from Fort Knox. Uniforms, housing, medical care and meals are furnished by the government during the training.

Additional voluntary training at one or more of a variety of active Army service schools is available to select Cadets each summer. Students may apply for attendance at Airborne School, Air Assault School, The Northern Warfare Training Center and Cadet Troop Leadership Training. Students who successfully complete the appropriate course are authorized to wear the Parachutist, Air Assault or other applicable skill badge.

Students who successfully complete the Army ROTC curriculum, and earn a bachelor’s degree, serve on active duty or with the Army National Guard or Army Reserve. Active duty is for a period of three or four years with the opportunity for qualified officers to apply for extended service. Current salary and allowances for a Second Lieutenant exceed $45,000. Medical and other benefits are also provided at no cost.

Professional Military Education Requirements

All Army ROTC cadets seeking a commission are required to pass a Written Communication Skills course (currently fulfilled by the University Core Curriculum) and History of the US Army (MILS 3030). An alternate military history course may be substituted with the approval of the Professor of Military Science.

Simultaneous Membership Program

Second, third- and fourth-year students are eligible to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program with the Army National Guard or Army Reserve. Cadets who participate in this program affiliate with an Army unit, thus affording them the opportunity for enhanced leadership development. Students in this program receive a monthly salary, additional tax-free benefits and GI Bill educational benefits (if otherwise qualified).

Military Science Minor

Code	Title	Hours
12 Credits in MILS 3000:4999 Military Science		12
MILS 3030	History of the United States Army	3
Total Hours		15

Scholarship Programs

Each year the Army offers a limited number of four-year, three-year and two-year scholarships to those young men and women who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic, athletic and leadership potential. Scholarships are available on a campus competitive basis and pay most or all of the cost of tuition and fees for both resident and non-resident students or they can opt for a housing and food scholarship of $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester). Additionally, scholarship students receive a book stipend of $600 per semester and the $420 per month tax-free allowance.

POC is the Admissions and Scholarship Officer, 334-844-5641/4305.