The military science program provides instruction and practical experience in leadership and management that will help students succeed in any desired career, civilian or military.

Requirements for Commission:

1. Completion of requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

2. Department core in military science under the four-year program. (21 semester hours.)

a. Introduction to MILS 111 and 112. (Two semester hours.)

b. Basic MILS 211 and 212. (Four semester hours.)

c. Intermediate MILS 311 and 312. (Six semester hours.)

d. Leader Development and Assessment Course. (Six semester hours placement credit.)

e. Advanced MILS 411 and 412. (Six semester hours.)

f. Maintain a B average in intermediate and advanced military science courses.

g. Three additional Monmouth College semester hours as approved by the WIU Military Science Department.

3. Departmental core in military science under the two-year program. (21 semester hours.)

a. Leader’s Training Course or equivalent training (up to six semester hours placement credit, consult MILS Department).

b. Intermediate MILS 311 and 312. (Six semester hours.)

c. Leader Development and Assessment Course. (Six semester hours placement credit.)

d. Advanced MILS 411 and 412. (Six semester hours.)

e. Maintain a B average in intermediate and advanced military science courses.

f. Three additional Monmouth College semester hours as approved by the WIU Military Science Department.

4. Maintain a College cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better.

5. Meet prescribed medical fitness standards.

Advanced Placement
Students with prior military service or those who have completed one or more years at a service academy or three or more years of Junior ROTC may receive credit for advanced placement.

Extracurricular Activities
A variety of extracurricular activities is offered for all students enrolled in military science. Many involve team competition with other universities.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
The ROTC program offers a variety of opportunities for qualified students to obtain commissions as officers in the United States Army. Commissions are earned while the students obtain their B.A. degrees in the academic discipline of their choice (a student does not major in military science). Many students earn their degrees with federal ROTC scholarship assistance and receive financial aid from ROTC. The opportunities to obtain a commission include a four-year program and a two-year program.

Four-Year Program
The normal progression to a commission is the four-year program. It consists of a basic course (first two years) and an advanced course (second two years. College academic credit is earned for all course work satisfactorily completed.

Basic Course
Basic Course enrollment is limited to Freshmen and Sophomores. (The permission of the department chair is required for other students.) In the spring of each year, Freshmen and Sophomores compete for several federal ROTC scholarships. Basic Course students are not required to wear uniforms or obtain haircuts. Basic Course students do not incur any military obligation. During the period of the Basic Course, the students decide whether they want to enter the Advanced Course. The military science department evaluates their qualifications and determines their eligibility for acceptance.

Advanced Course (Offered at Western Illinois University)
Advanced Course students include all students who have successfully completed the Basic Course or received credit for the Basic Course under one of the other options discussed below. Entry into the Advanced Course is a joint decision by the student and the military science department.

Requirements include being of good character, a U.S. citizen, under 30 years of age (waiver possible) upon graduating and commissioning, medically qualified, not a conscientious objector, and maintaining a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average. Students entering the Advanced Course sign a contract with the government and earn a tax-free stipend each month during their last two years of college. They continue to compete for numerous federal scholarships. Advanced Course students do incur a military obligation in either the Reserves, National Guard, or Active Army. The length of obligation varies depending on the type of commission received. Students can be guaranteed Reserve Forces duty or National Guard duty. Course work for the Advanced Course spans two years. Advanced Course students also attend Leader Development and Assessment Course of 33 days duration, normally between their junior and senior years. Students receive pay, travel allowance, and room and board while attending the course.

Two-year Program
The two-year program permits the student who has successfully completed the ROTC Leader’s Training Course, or who has a status of Veteran, prior service, NG, or USAR, to enter directly into the Advanced Course Program. The ROTC Leader’s Training Course is approximately four weeks long and provides military training in such subjects as leadership, rappelling, map reading, rifle marksmanship, physical training, tactics, communications, first aid, and water survival. The student attending ROTC Leader’s Training Course is paid to attend and receives free lodging, meals, and college credit (six elective hours). There is no service obligation connected with the camp. The camp is designed to provide the student with Basic Course credit. Students wishing to attend the Basic Camp should apply early in the spring semester.

Advanced Placement Credit
Veterans, prior service students, junior ROTC students (three or more years), and National Guard or USAR members may receive advanced placement credit for the Basic Course.

Financial Aid
During the last two years of military science, contracted Advanced Course students receive a subsistence allowance of approximately $9,500. This subsistence allowance is received in monthly installments during the school year. Simultaneous Membership Program cadets also receive pay from their Army Reserve or National Guard unit.

Commission as a Second Lieutenant
Students who successfully complete all requirements of the ROTC program are commissioned as Second Lieutenants. These Commissionees fulfill their contractual obligations by serving in the Army Reserve, National Guard, or in the Active Army. Service in the Reserve or National Guard is an ideal way of blending a full-time civilian career with part-time service to the country as an officer. Students may request to delay their military duties to attend graduate school or to attain professional degrees. Students desiring further information should call Western Illinois University at 309-298-1161 and arrange for a meeting at the ROTC office.

MILS 111. Introduction to Military Science, Leadership and Personal Development
A course designed to introduce students to Army ROTC and the organization of the U.S. Army and its role in American society. Teach fundamental concepts in leadership in both classroom and outdoor activities. Increase self-confidence through optional activities in rappelling, leadership reaction course, and basic marksmanship. (One credit.)

MILS 112. Introduction to Tactical Leadership. A continuation of MILS 111
This course continues to build the knowledge base of soldier skills such as first aid, marksmanship, and writing. Expands a student’s opportunity for and knowledge of leadership skills through basic drill, rappelling and the leadership reaction course. Prerequisite: MILS 111. (One credit.)

MILS 211. Innovative Team Leadership
Students participate in discussions of selected leadership principles and the methods of military instruction. Introduction to a leadership development program which assesses students using 12 leadership dimensions. Instruction in basic individual military skills. Prerequisite: MILS 112. (Two credits.)

MILS 212. Foundations of Tactical Leadership
Continuation of discussions of personal leadership development and individual military skills. Exercises in team building, small unit leadership techniques, and military map reading. Prerequisite: MILS 211. (Two credits.)

MILS 298. Individual Studies
Special study in military science carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Limited to enrolled military science students. Prerequisite: Permission of the PMS. (One to three credits.)

MILS 311. Adaptive Tactical Leadership
Theories and techniques of military leadership. Concentration on leader/group interaction, organizational demands, communication, and counseling. Practical opportunities to lead small groups, receive assessment, and lead in situations of increasing complexity. Application of leadership techniques in small unit tactics and preparation for Advanced Camp. Prerequisites: MILS 212 or LTC and consent of the PMS. (Three credits.)

MILS 312. Leadership in Changing Environments
Continues methodology of MILS 311. Tactical organization, operations and small unit leadership of rifle squad and platoon in the attack and defense. Written and oral presentation of operations orders, reports, and control systems. Proficiency in land navigation. Preparation for Warrior Forge. Prerequisite: MILS 311 and consent of the PMS. (Three credits.)

MILS 411. Developing Adaptive Leaders
Designed to prepare the cadet for transition to lieutenant. Students will learn the expectations of duties of the newly commissioned officer, including command and staff functions through classroom discussion. They will also function as a battalion level command and staff element. MILS 411 will also continue to improve upon presentation skills, use of after action review/reports, understanding Army Training Doctrine, operation orders and military justice. Prerequisites: MILS 312 and consent of the PMS. (Three credits.)

MILS 412. Leadership in a Complex World
Culmination of the leader development process at the pre-commissioning level, preparing for the transition from cadet to lieutenant. Training is to solidify the commitment to officership, reinforce individual competencies, and offer practical leader experiences. Includes the study and application of oral and written communications, leadership/professional ethics, logistics and maintenance. Prerequisites: MILS 411 and/or consent of the PMS. (Three credits.)

IMPORTANT DATES