Basic ROTC Program Courses

MSL 101: Foundations of Officership

The purpose of this course is to introduce cadets to issues and competencies that are central to a commissioned officer’s responsibilities. These initial lessons establish a framework for understanding officership, leadership, and Army values. Additionally, the semester addresses “life skills” including fitness and time management. The MSL 101 course is designed to support recruiting and retention of cadets by giving them accurate insight into the Army Profession and the officer’s role within the Army.

 MSL 102: Basic Leadership

The MSL 102 course expands upon the fundamentals introduced in the previous term by focusing on communications, leadership, and problem solving. “Life skills” lessons in this semester include: problem solving, goal setting, interpersonal communication skills, and assertiveness skills. The MSL 102 course continues to support recruiting and retention of cadets by providing them with interesting lessons yielding immediately useful skills. The course also gives accurate information about life in the Army, including the organization of the Army, employment benefits, and work experiences of junior officers.

 MSL 201: Leadership Studies

The purpose of this course is to work from the same or similar learning objectives – developed as part of years one, three and four – but to provide direct experience. The subject is leadership; so the curriculum necessarily involves understanding how to build teams, how to influence, how to communicate, how and when to make decisions, how to engage in creative problem solving, and how to plan and organize. 

 MSL 202: Leadership and Teamwork

This course focuses on building character. Where years one, three and four focus on mastering definitions, concepts, ideas and principles, year the second course of year two focuses on direct, physical experiences. This class centers on giving cadets the opportunity to apply, practice, and experience leadership principles. Cadets are asked to reflect upon their actions and those of others.

Advanced ROTC Program Courses

MSL 301: Adaptive Team Leadership

MSL 301 challenges cadets to study, practice, and evaluate adaptive leadership skills as they are presented with the demands of the ROTC Leader Development Assessment Course (LDAC). Challenging scenarios related to small unit tactical operations are used to develop self-awareness and critical thinking skills. Cadets receive systematic and specific feedback on their leadership abilities.  Cadets begin to analyze and evaluate their own leadership values, attributes, skills, and actions. Primary attention is given to preparation for LDAC and the development of leadership qualities.

 MSL 302: Leadership under Fire

MSL 302 uses increasingly intense situational leadership challenges to build cadet awareness and skills in leading small units. Skills in decision-making, persuading and motivating team members when “under fire” are explored, evaluated, and developed.

Aspects of military operations are reviewed as a means of preparing for the ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).  Cadets are expected to apply basic principles of the Law of Land Warfare, Army training, and motivation to troop leading procedures. Emphasis is also placed on conducting military briefings and developing proficiency in Garrison operation orders. MSL 302 cadets are evaluated on what they know and do as leaders.

 MSL 321:  Leader Development and Assessment Course

LDAC/Warrior Forge is the crucible of the Army ROTC Program. As such, Cadet Command must provide the best professional training and evaluation possible for all cadets. The primary focus at LDAC is to evaluate each cadet's officer potential in a collective environment. The secondary purpose of LDAC is to validate specific skills taught on campus and to impart selective individual and collective common skills. LDAC represents the only opportunity for this command to assemble cadets from disparate schools into an environment with common operational conditions.

 MSL 401: Developing Adaptive Leaders

MSL 401 develops cadet proficiency in planning, executing, and assessing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and providing leadership performance feedback to subordinates. Cadets are given situational opportunities to assess risk, make ethical decisions, and provide coaching to fellow ROTC cadets. Cadets are challenged to analyze, evaluate, and instruct younger cadets. Both their classroom and battalion leadership experiences are designed to prepare them for their first unit of assignment. Cadets identify responsibilities of key staff, coordinate staff roles, and use situational opportunities to teach, train, and develop subordinates.

 MSL 402 Course: Leadership in a Complex World

MSL 402 explores the dynamics of leading in the complex situations of current military operations. Cadets examine differences in customs and courtesies, military law, principles of war, and rules of engagement in the face of international terrorism. Aspects of interacting with non-government organizations, civilians on the battlefield, and host nation support are examined and evaluated.  Significant emphasis is placed on preparing cadets for their first unit of assignment. Case studies, scenarios, and “What Now, Lieutenant?” exercises are used to prepare cadets to face the complex ethical and practical demands of leading as commissioned officers in the United States Army.

 ROTC Internship Programs (No Credit)

Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT)
This is a two week to three week program where students attend Army schools such as Airborne School (military parachuting), Air Assault School (helicopter operations), Northern Warfare School (military training in Alaska or Mountain Warfare School (mountain training in various states). The program is open to all enrolled ROTC students, but selection is competitive due to the limited availability of slots in the program. 

Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT)
This is a three-week program where students can practically apply their leadership and professional knowledge by working as lieutenants in Army units. The program is only available to Advanced Course students during the summer of their junior year.