Outcomes Assessment for Military Science
The Military Science Department does not offer an academic degree and
is embedded within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as an inter-disciplinary
program. The mission of the department is derived directly from regulations
governing Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (AROTC), which are issued
by the Army Cadet Command and Army Training and Doctrine Command and
cannot be modifiable by this department. Intended learning outcomes
are derived from the following mission statement:
AROTC is an elective curriculum. AROTC prepares students with the tools,
training and experience that will help them succeed in any competitive
environment. Students have a normal college experience like other students
on campus, but when they graduate they will be commissioned as an officer
in the U.S. Army. Being an officer in the U.S. Army means they are a
leader, a counselor, a strategist and a motivator. It's similar to being
a vital manager in a corporation. As an officer, they will lead other
soldiers in all situations and adjust in environments that are always
changing. They are driven to achieve success with their team on every
mission. Army ROTC is one of the Nation's top leadership programs.
Army ROTC is divided into two main courses (Basic and Advanced).
Basic Course. The Basic Course takes place during
the first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves
one elective class and lab each semester. Students learn basic military
skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward
becoming an Army leader. Students can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without
a military commitment.
Freshmen Year: Learning Outcomes. Have a working knowledge
of the following areas: The Role of the Army, Roles and Origins of the
Army, Army Customs and Traditions, Branches (Jobs) in the Army and Military
Operations and Tactics. Classes: MS 101 Introduction to Military Science,
MS 101L Basic Leadership laboratory, MS 102 The United Stated Defense
Establishment, MS 102L Basic Leadership laboratory.
Sophomore Year: Learning Outcomes. Have a working knowledge
of the following areas: The Role of an Officer, Role of the Officer
and Noncommissioned Officer, communications, code of conduct, first
aid, principles of war and military operations and tactics. Classes:
MS 201 Principles of Leadership, MS 201L Basic Leadership laboratory,
MS 202 Map Reading and Land Navigation, MS 202L Basic Leadership laboratory,
MS 290 Independent Study.
Advance Course. The Advanced Course takes place during
the last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes
one elective class and lab each semester, plus a summer leadership course.
Students learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team
organization, planning and decision-making. Entering the Advanced Course
requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after
graduation.
Junior Year: Learning Outcomes. Have a working knowledge of
the following areas: Small Unit Training, Command and Staff Functions,
Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare, Law of War, Weapons, Human
Behavior, Math Reasoning, Computer Science and Military Operations and
Tactics. Classes: MS 301 Methods of instructing Military Science, MS
301L Advanced Leadership laboratory, MS 302 Small Unit Tactics, MS 302L
Advanced Leadership laboratory.
Leader Development and Assessment Course. Every Army ROTC Cadet who
enters into the Advanced Course attends the Leader Development and Assessment
Course. It's a four-week summer course to evaluate and train all Army
ROTC Cadets. This course normally takes place between your junior and
senior years of college, and is conducted at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Senior Year: Learning Outcomes. Have a working knowledge of
the following areas: Transition to Becoming an Officer, Military Justice,
Intelligence and Electronic Warfare, Army Personnel Management, Army
Logistics, Post and Installation Support and Military Operations and
Tactics. Classes MS 401 The Military Team, MS 401L Advanced Leadership
laboratory, MS 402 Seminar: The Professional Officer, MS 402L Advanced
Leadership laboratory, MS 490 Independent Study.
Measures used:
- Feedback is collected from course critiques (After Action Reviews)
and instructor evaluations.
- The AROTC program has a senior class (officer cadets) led group (staff)
that applies leadership concepts and principles learned in the military
science courses. Throughout the semester, this student led staff assists
in the development of topics for leadership lab and is instrumental
in execution of these tasks under supervision from faculty. Normally
weekly meetings are held by both the student staff and by the faculty
to adjust and improve leadership lab periods. To assist in student’s
development as military leaders and to better understand how the U.S.
Army operates cadets (students) are placed in leadership positions that
mirror to some extent the U.S. Army. They include:
Battalion Commander. The Battalion Commander is responsible
for everything that goes on throughout the cadet battalion. The commander
supervises the efficient functioning of the staff and subordinate commanders
to ensure that missions assigned to the cadet battalion are performed
in a professional manner. This is accomplished by issuing guidance and
monitoring the execution of assigned tasks. The commander also conducts
weekly cadet staff meetings to determine progress on projects, updates
the staff with any new guidance, briefs the Professor of Military Science
on the progress of cadet functions, and reports on the status of projects
at least weekly.
Battalion Executive Officer. Coordinating the cadet staff is the
responsibility of the executive officer. This officer prepares the staff
for and runs all staff meetings, ensuring that the staff has a well-thought
out plan, and, in accordance with the cadet battalion commander's guidance,
presents a coordinated and effective plan. The executive officer represents
the commander in his or her absence and attends weekly meetings between
the battalion commander and Professor of Military Science.
Command Sergeant Major. The Sergeant Major assists and advises
the commander and is responsible for forming the unit, taking the report,
and putting out information at all formations (physical training, inspections,
laboratory, parades, etc.) He or she coordinates the activities of the
cadet color guard and works closely with the cadre's senior noncommissioned
officer.
Battalion Personnel Officer (S1). The adjutant is responsible
for all personnel administration and all of the cadet battalion's personnel
matters. Publishing cadet orders, maintaining cadet files, recording
the minutes of cadet staff meetings, and coordinating public affairs
activities are other duties of the adjutant. He or she updates the chain
of command, assigns cadets enrolled in the ROTC program (both contracted
and non-contracted) to the cadet companies each semester, and disseminates
this information to all cadets. The adjutant coordinates directly with
the cadre enrollment and marketing officer and briefs the personnel
portion of operations orders and staff briefings.
Battalion Operations Officer (S3). The operations officer
is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the execution
of all training and operations of the cadet battalion. He of she coordinates
directly with the cadre training officer and prepares and briefs operations
or mission orders.
Battalion Logistics Officer S4. The logistical support for all cadet
activities is coordinated by the logistics officer. In addition, this
office coordinates directly with the cadre supply sergeant and executive
officer and briefs the logistics portion/annex of operation orders.
Battalion Civil Affairs Officers (S5). This officer is responsible
for coordinating all cadet recruiting and retention activities and coordinates
directly with the cadre enrollment and marketing officer for guidance
and missions.
Company Tactical Officers. The Head TAC Officer is the primary
trainer for all MSIIIs attending LDAC. He/she develops the Leadership
Opportunity Matrix, ensuring that all MSIIIs receive equitable leadership
opportunities by position, and coordinates all PLT. TAC assignments
while personally evaluating the XO and CO for the rotation. He/she also
closely monitors the evaluation process and coordinates with cadre to
ensure all evaluations are properly recorded.
- The Military Science Department Chair holds meetings with all the
officer led staff almost weekly to discuss issues pertaining to the
AROTC program requirements.
Student performance evaluations.
- Twice a semester performance counseling is conducted on each cadet
by faculty.
- Throughout the semester during class time and field operations,
officer cadets evaluate junior cadets through a (blue card) detailed
process that covers numerous leadership traits.
Academic performance evaluations.
- Overall ISU course grades (Term and Cumulative).
- Military Science grades.
Army Physical Fitness / Health.
- Army Physical Fitness Test totals (Push ups, Sit ups, 2 Mile Run).
- Health Fitness. Qualified for military service as outlined by the
Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board (DoDMERB).
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