Military Science (MIL) Course Descriptions

MAJ Dan N. Clark
Professor of Military Science and Department Head
Office: 610 Campus Drive, Suite 210

MIL 101 and MIL 102 Beginning Army Fitness Training. One hour. Students participate in and learn the fundamentals of physical fitness programs. Emphasis is on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in daily life.

MIL 110 Leadership and National Security. One hour. This course educates students in the fundamentals of leadership and national security. Using the U.S. Army as a case study, students examine military organizational culture, roles and missions of the armed forces, leadership management, and leader communication skills. Additionally, through practical exercises, students develop individual leadership skills in problem solving, land navigation, and rifle marksmanship. The course counts toward credit for completion of the Army ROTC Basic Course, entrance into the Army ROTC Advance Course, and eventual commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. Students taking this course do not incur any military obligation. Course meets one time per week in accordance with the fall schedule of classes.

MIL 120 Foundations of Leadership and Team Development. One hour. Course serves as a sequel to MIL 110 Leadership and National Security and educates students in the fundamental military skills. Using the MIL 110 class as a foundation, students examine mission analysis, time management, leadership management, and leader communication skills. Additionally, through practical exercises, students develop individual leadership skills in problem solving, land navigation, and rifle marksmanship. The course counts toward credit for completion of the Army ROTC Basic Course, entrance into the Army ROTC Advance Course, and eventual commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. Students taking this course do not incur any military obligation. Course meets one time per week in accordance with the spring schedule of classes.

MIL 111 and MIL 121 Leadership Application I and II Lab. One hour. Course provides students the opportunity to apply leadership theory in a wide range of scenarios. Using small unit tactics as a vehicle, students learn a series of individual technical skills and then transition to leading fellow students in collective tasks. This course meets bi-weekly in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 201 and 202 Intermediate Army Fitness Training. One hour. Students participate in and learn how to conduct an Army physical fitness program. This program teaches the principles of fitness of frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise through participation and practical exercise. Begins the student in adopting a healthy physical fitness ethos and lifestyle required of an Army officer. Students are given performance reviews based on the current Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) evaluation criteria.

MIL 210 Basic Leadership Skills. Two hours. This course builds on MIL 120. Students focus on leadership development and officership. Throughout the course students learn personal development, problem solving, planning, teamwork, Army values, and the basics of physical fitness. There are also several practical exercises in which the student will learn beginner skills such as knot tying, rope bridging, land navigation, and marksmanship. This course counts towards credit for completion of the U.S. Army ROTC Basic Course and eventual commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. Students taking this course do not incur any military obligation. The course meets twice a week in accordance with the fall schedule of classes.

MIL 220 Military Leadership Skills. Two hours. This class is a sequel to MIL 210 Basic Military Skills. There is a continued focus on leadership development through practical exercises and classroom interaction. Some of the topics covered are goal setting, oral communication, decision making, teamwork, and stress management. There is also a continuation of basic skills such as land navigation and map reading. This semester, more than any before, draws together the various components of values, communications, decision making, and leadership to focus on the qualities required of a commissioned officer. Upon completion of this semester, cadets should possess a fundamental understanding of both leadership and officership and demonstrate the ability to apply this understanding to real-world situations. This course counts towards credit for completion of the U.S. Army ROTC Basic Course and eventual commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. Students taking this course do not incur any military obligation. The course meets twice a week in accordance with the spring schedule of classes.

MIL 211 and MIL 221 Military Leadership and Management Application I and II Lab. One hour. This course uses a series of demonstrations and practical exercise scenarios to develop basic leadership competency. Students have the opportunity to observe and experiment with different leadership and management techniques. The course instills individual leadership confidence and provides a structured mechanism for identifying leadership potential. Each course meets bi-weekly in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 235 American Military Experience. Two hours. An introduction and overview of American military history with a focus on the U.S. Army. Follows the origins of the American Military experience from Anglo-American colonial warfare to the present; includes America's major wars and the evolution of military technology. This class meets two times a week in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 250 Leader's Training Course. Six hours. This 28-day leader internship is taught as an off-campus extension course each summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It is open to students who have a minimum of 48 semester hours and have at least four semesters of degree work remaining after completion of the course, graduate and law school students. The Army provides transportation to and from Fort Knox. Students receive free room and board and are paid for their attendance. They participate in hands-on leadership exercises and receive training in marksmanship, rappelling, water survival, land navigation, and small unit tactics. Course participants are eligible to win two-year scholarships. For additional information, contact Army ROTC at (205) 348-5917.

MIL 301 and MIL 302 Advanced Army Fitness I and II. One hour. Students participate in and learn how to plan, conduct, and revise physical fitness programs, to include strength, cardiovascular, endurance, and flexibility training. Teaches the student how to develop the physical fitness ethos and lifestyle that are required of a military officer. Students are given performance reviews based on the current Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) evaluation criteria. Course meets three times a week and is open only to ROTC Cadets.

MIL 310 Small Unit Tactical Leadership.Three hours. Study and development of leadership and small unit tactics that provides training and education in becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Students participate in a series of practical exercises to enhance leadership skills and receive personal assessments of and developmental training in leadership competencies. Students produce both written and oral guidance for team members to accomplish tasks. Additionally, cadets receive out of class training during field exercises, physical training, and leadership labs. Requires participation in leadership development lab. This course meets three times weekly in accordance with the schedule of classes.

MIL 320 Advanced Military Leadership. Three hours. Continues the development of student competencies and confidence through intermediate leadership, technical, and tactical instruction. Students lead small groups in accomplishing tasks of increasing complexity. Significant training in oral briefing and time management during time-constrained and stressful situations is used to improve decision-making skills. Examines the importance of ethical decision making in improving team performance. Requires participation in leadership development lab. This class meets three times a week in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 311 and MIL 321 Small Unit Leadership Applications I and II Lab. One hour. Series of practical applications of small unit tactics, leadership skills, and technical competencies learned in the classroom. Participation is required of all MIL 310 and MIL 320 students. This class meets weekly in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 410 Developmental Leadership. Three hours. Develops student proficiency in planning, executing, and assesing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and providing leadership-performance feedback to subordinates. Students are given situational opportunities to assess risk, make ethical decisions, and provide coaching to fellow ROTC students. MS IV cadets are measured by their ability both to give and receive systematic and specific feedback on leadership values, attributes, skills, and actionns of MS III cadets while simultaneously considering their own leadership skills. Attention is given to preparation for BOLC II and the development of leadership abilities.

MIL 411 and MIL 421 Advanced Leadership Applications Lab I and II. Three hours. Course educates students in executive leadership management and prepares them for post commissioning tasks as Army officers. Students fill basic command and staff positions and are responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting the Corps of Cadets training activities. This class meets bi-weekly in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 420 Advanced Leadership and Management Techniques. Three hours. Study of leadership with an emphasis on command and staff processes, training management fundamentals, communication processes, problem solving and instructional techniques with a concentration on military applications. Individual and group motivational and behavioral processes are covered to further develop student management and leadership skills. This class meets three times a week in accordance with the fall/spring schedule of classes.

MIL 490 Enhanced Leadership Study. Three hours. Independent leadership project focusing on the advanced application of leadership commonalities, the distinguishing characteristics of professionalism, and how they relate officership to a democratic society. Additional emphasis is placed on researching a specific leadership issue and/or problem and developing applied solutions. Interpersonal skills and behavioral processes are covered and applied in exercise reviews with faculty to further develop student management and leadership skills.