Military Science (Army ROTC) / Special Program
Objectives
The purpose of the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps program is to commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army and to motivate young people to become better citizens. Students who become cadets simultaneously earn their baccalaureate degree and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
The Rolling Thunder Battalion, located at Wheaton College, is a cooperative effort between the Army and Lewis University to provide junior officer leadership in the interest of national security. The Rolling Thunder Battalion cadre provides leadership training and practical experience designed to develop the traits essential to achieving a high degree of success in military, and civilian pursuits. Coursework can be taken at both Lewis University and Wheaton College.
Program
The Military Science curriculum consists of two 2-year courses. The Basic Course consists of eight (8) semester hours taken during the first and second years of college. Students who are unable to complete the on-campus Basic Course may instead attend the Army’s Leader Training Course, an intensive 28-day summer camp between their first and second years in college. The professor of Military Science may also waive all or part of the Basic Course requirement based on prior military experience or Junior ROTC experience.
Once students have satisfactorily completed the Basic Course, they may apply for enrollment in the Advanced Course. If selected for the Advanced Course, students sign a contract with the United States Government whereby they agree to complete the course of instruction, attend the advanced summer camp, and accept a commission in the reserve or active components of the U.S. Army for a period as specified by the Secretary of the Army. The Advanced Course requires four complete semester courses, as well as attendance at the Leader Development Assessment Course, a 32-day training camp at Fort Lewis, Washington, during the summer following the junior year. Students must also satisfactorily complete an approved military history course. Students must be U.S. citizens to contract into the Advanced Course.
While consisting of four distinct semesters, the Advanced Course is structured as a two-phased program leading to commissioning. The principle lessons of operations and tactics, coupled with leadership, are progressive.
Phase One
Phase one focuses on enhanced tactics at the small unit level in preparation for Leader Development Assessment Course (LDAC). By the end of phase one, the cadet is prepared for all aspects of the campus evaluation process and is able to lead small unit tactical operations. The culminating event of phase one is the cadet’s successful completion of LDAC.
Phase Two
Phase two focuses on final preparation for commissioning. In addition to military skills, cadets continue leadership exercises to synthesize and integrate the principles of leadership previously learned in the Basic Course. By the end of phase two, cadets will have confidence in their abilities to lead, make decisions and motivate subordinates within their organization. The semesters are designed to maximize cadet participation, inspire intellectual curiosity and stimulate self-directed study. Completion of the Advanced Course prepares the cadet for the physical, emotional and intellectual challenges of leadership in the evolving Army in the 21st Century.
If selected for the Advanced Course, students sign a contract with the United States Government whereby they agree to complete the course of instruction, attend the advanced summer camp, and accept a commission in the reserve or active components of the U.S. Army for a period as specified by the Secretary of the Army.
Scholarship Opportunities
Army ROTC offers two-, three- and four-year scholarships that may pay part of or all college tuition and fees. Students can apply at any time from their senior year in high school to the second semester of their second college year. All scholarship students also earn a monthly stipend while in school, as well as an annual allowance for books and miscellaneous fees. In addition, qualified non-scholarship cadets are eligible for a tuition reduction if participating in ROTC. Courses taken for credit in Military Science are considered as a subject field concentration and count as electives applied to Lewis University graduation requirements. For this reason, the three summer training programs – 86-225 Leader’s Training Course (LTC), 86-335 Leader Development Assessment Course (LDAC), and/or 86-336 Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) – may be taken for college credit with prior coordination.
Program Credit Hours: 27
Degree Requirements
I. Basic Courses (8)
Phase I
| 86-100 | Military Science Leadership Lab | 0 |
-
| (86-100 must be taken concurrently with Basic Courses.) | |
| 86-111 | Introduction to Leadership | 2 |
| 86-112 | Leadership and Decision Making | 2 |
Phase II
| 86-100 | Military Science Leadership Lab | 0 |
-
| (86-100 must be taken concurrently with Basic Courses.) | |
| 86-221 | Leadership and Problem Solving | 2 |
| 86-222 | Small Unit Leadership and Theory | 2 |
(Note: 86-225 Leader’s Training Course (LTC) may be taken between the sophomore and junior years in lieu of the on-campus program with permission of the Professor of Military Science.)
II. Advanced Courses (19)
Phase I
| 86-100 | Military Science Leadership Lab | 0 |
-
| (86-100 must be taken concurrently with Advanced Courses.) | |
| 86-331 | Tactical Leadership Development I | 4 |
| 86-332 | Tactical Leadership Development II | 4 |
Phase II
| 86-100 | Military Science Leadership Lab | 0 |
-
| (86-100 must be taken concurrently with Advanced Courses.) | |
| 86-441 | Junior Officer Leadership I | 4 |
| 86-442 | Junior Officer Leadership II | 4 |
(Note: 09-331 A History of the U.S. Military (3) is also a course requirement for commissioning. Prerequisite: Contracted cadet with sophomore, junior or senior standing. Please see the listing under the Department of History for the course description.)