Kansas State University Army ROTC Program Details

The KSU Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program provides leadership training for students at Kansas State University and helps train Officers for the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and U.S. Army National Guard. Army ROTC is an elective class that enhances a student's education and provides unique educational opportunities by combining leadership and management theory with actual hands-on experience. Army ROTC helps the student to develop self-discipline, physical stamina, and poise. These qualities will prove to be criticial in any career. Students earn a college degree and an Army Officer's commission at the same time.

Basic Course (BC)

The Basic Course consists of a series of four (4) 2-hour courses (one taken per semester) open to all students that may be counted as electives. Enrollment in Basic Course classes does not obligate a student to Military Science. Freshman will normally enroll in MSCI 100 and 101 and sophomores will normally enroll in MSCI 201 and 202.

MSCI 100. Introduction to Military Science and ROTC. (V)

I. Basic drill and ceremony, physical fitness, rappelling, first aid, military presentations and basic rifle marksmanship. Two (2) classroom hours, a required leadership lab, and participation in three (3) one-hour sessions for physical fitness. This is taken fall semester freshmen year.

MSCI 101. Introduction to Military Leadership. (V)
II. Principles of effective leading. Communication skills to improve individual performance and group interaction. Relation of military organizational ethical values to the effectiveness of a leader. Two (2) classroom hours, a required leadership lab, and participation in three (3) one-hour sessions for physical fitness. This is taken spring semester freshmen year.

MSCI 201. Self/Team Development. (V)
I. Ethics-based military leadership skills that develop individual abilities and contribute to building effective teams. Oral presentations, advanced first aid, land navigation and basic military tactics. Two (2) classroom hours, a required leadership lab, and participation in three (3) one-hour physical fitness sessions. This is taken fall semester sophomore year.

MSCI 202. Individual/Team Military Tactics. (V)
II. Introduction to individual and team aspects of military tactics in small unit operations. Radio communications, safety assessments, and movement techniques. Two (2) classroom hours, a required leadership lab, and participation in three (3) one-hour physical fitness sessions. This is taken spring semester sophomore year.

Advanced Course (AC)

The U.S. Army ROTC Advanced Course is structured to develop the leadership potential of students choosing to pursue an Officer commission. Prerequisites for the Advanced Course may be satisfied in a number of ways: specific questions on individual eligibility should be addressed to the department staff. Students accepted into the Advanced Course agree to complete the curriculum and to accept an Active U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or U.S. Army National Guard commission, if offered.

Most Advanced Course Cadets receives a $420 per school month stipend during the school year in return for this agreement. Airborne, Air Assault, Jungle Operations Course and the Basic Mountaineering Course, Pre-Dive courses are U.S. Army schools available to qualified volunteers in addition to other training opportunities.

MSCI 301. Leading Small Military Organizations I. (V)
I. Series of practical opportunities to lead small groups in situations of increasing complexity. Uses small unit defensive tactics and opportunities to plan and conduct training. Three classroom hours, a leadership lab, participation in three one-hour physical fitness sessions. Participation in one weekend exercise is required. Prerequisite: Completion of the Basic Course or equivelent (Basic Training complete). Instructor permission required for enrollment.

MSCI 302. Leading Small Military Organizations II. (V)
II. Continues methodology of MSCI 301. Military missions and task analysis. Ethical decision making and lessons from leadership case studies. Three classroom hours, a leadership lab, participation in three one hour physical fitness sessions. Participation in one weekend exercise is required. Prerequisite: Completion of MSCI 301. Instructor permission.

MSCI 351. Mil. Leadership Studies and Practical Applications. (V)
I, II. Independent research, analysis and monthly discussion on related military topics. Small unit tactics and practical application of leadership skills and individual research projects. Three (3) classroom hours per week, a leadership lab, participation in three (3) one-hour physical fitness sessions. Participation in one weekend exercise is required. Prerequisite: MSCI 301 or 302. Instructor permission.

MSCI 401. Leadership Challenges and Objective-Setting. (V)
I. Plan, conduct, and evaluate activities of the ROTC cadet organization. Articulate goals; put plans into action to attain them. Assess organizational cohesion and develop strategies to improve it. Develop confidence in skills to lead people and manage resources. Learn and apply various Army policies and programs. Three (3) classroom hours, a leadership laboratory, and weekly physical fitness activities. Cadets will also participate in a weekend field training exercise (FTX) and a dining-in. Prerequisite: MSCI 301 and 302 or Department Head permission.

MSCI 402. Transition to Lieutenant. (V)
II. Continues the methodology from MSCI 401. Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas. Refine counseling and motivating techniques. Examine aspects of tradition and law as it relates to leading as an Officer in the U.S. Army. Prepare for a future as a successful U.S. Army Lieutenant. Three (3) classroom hours, a leadership laboratory, and weekly physical fitness activities. Cadets will also participate in a weekend field training exercise (FTX) and a dining out or military ball. Prerequisite: MSCI 301, MSCI 302, MSCI 401 or Department Head permission.

Cadet Summer Training - Basic Camp
This 28-day summer training camp enables ROTC participation by students who have not taken Basic Course classes. Application should be made to the Department of Military Science early in the spring semester. Students will attend ROTC Basic Camp during the summer. Satisfactory completion of ROTC Basic Camp earns four (4) hours academic credit and satisfies all prerequisites for entry into the Advanced Course. Attendance at ROTC Basic Camp does not incur any military obligation. Attendees are eligible for 2 year scholarships upon completion.

Cadet Summer Training - Advanced Camp
This 37-day advanced summer camp is an integral part of the Advanced Course and normally is completed between the junior and senior years. Students will attend ROTC Advanced Camp during the summer. Satisfactory completion of ROTC Advanced Camp earns four (4) hours of academic credit. Highly structured, demanding, and stressing leadership at small unit levels under varying, and challenging conditions.

For more information, contact KSU Army ROTC at 785-532-6754 or email us at armyrotc@ksu.edu.