Military Science Department

Faculty | Course Descriptions | Other Departments

Department Head:  LTC Kathy J. Jones (Interim)

Assistant Professors:  Majors Johnson, McDowell, and Peasley; and Captains Bircher, Duzzny, and Gale

Senior Instructors:  SGM McDaniel, MSG Carlson, SFC Decker, and SFC Koellner

The Army ROTC program of instruction at The Citadel is geared toward teaching "hands-on skills" that are required of the new second lieutenant in the active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Instruction at all levels centers around leadership. The program includes instruction in basic combat techniques, physical training, weapons, general military subjects, tactics, and communication skills. Selected cadets also have the opportunity to attend the Army's Airborne, Air Assault, Mountain Warfare, and the Northern Warfare Course, as well as to serve as "third lieutenants" with an active Army unit for two to four weeks in the Cadet Troop Leadership Training Program. The Citadel also has one of the largest simultaneous membership programs in the nation. This program is a volunteer officer training program which allows Army National Guard and Army Reserve enlisted members to also participate in the Advanced ROTC course leading to a commission in one of the Reserve Components. Over 50 cadets participate in these programs each year with a 98% graduation rate.

Military science is a four-year program of instruction, divided into a two-year Basic Course and a two-year Advanced Course. The first year (Military Science I) addresses the role of the individual soldier through instruction and practical training in the areas of physical training, marksmanship, first aid, map reading, U.S. weapons, and leadership. The second year (Military Science II) builds upon the first, through the development of more advanced individual skills such as land navigation, basic individual combat techniques, and small unit tactics and leadership.

The first year of the Advanced course (Military Science III) is primarily designed to prepare contracted cadets for their performance and evaluation at the five-week Advanced Camp, which takes place during the summer between their junior and senior years. The curriculum focuses on instruction and practical training exercises in advanced land navigation, individual military skills, the principles and techniques of squad and platoon operations, the principles of organizational leadership, communications, fire support, U.S. Army weapons systems, and physical fitness training. At the conclusion of the junior year, those cadets who have applied for and have been selected for contract will attend the

Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis, Washington. Camp is based upon performance-oriented training and continuous leadership potential evaluation. Each cadet's evaluation is a principal determinant in being chosen for Active Duty or Reserve-Forces Duty and the choice of Branch. Cadets interested in receiving a contract must complete Military Science Levels I and II, MLTY 402 or receive an exception to policy from The Commanding General, Cadet Command.

The final year of the advanced Course (Military Science IV) consists of instruction in solving contemporary leadership problems, the principles of military justice, the techniques of military writing, the evolution of current tactics, precommissioning seminars, and a review of military professionalism and ethics. The beginning of the senior year is the final opportunity to seek a contract and pursue a commission.

After the sophomore year, a transfer into Army ROTC will be permitted only if the transferring student wishes to pursue an Army commission.

Cadets seeking a commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army are required to successfully complete selected Professional Military Educational courses in five areas of study: English, history, human behavior, computer literacy, and math. The Core Curriculum satisfies the PME requirement for English (written communications) and math. One three-hour course is required in each of the other areas of study listed above. Although courses in management and national security studies are not required, cadets are highly encouraged to take them. Cadets enrolling in military science are provided a consolidated list of all academic courses offered by The Citadel that satisfy the professional military education requirement.