The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is under the administrative and academic supervision of the College of Arts and Sciences. Army ROTC (Military Science) courses are indicated by the prefix MS; Air Force ROTC (Aerospace Studies) courses are indicated by the prefix AS. All ROTC courses are bona fide University courses. The total number of ROTC hours allowed as elective credit toward a specific degree varies. Most schools and colleges at the University accept six (6) or more hours of ROTC courses offered toward degrees conferred. The advanced ROTC courses are options for meeting social/behavioral science core requirements. A student should contact the appropriate college, school, or department to determine allowable ROTC course credit toward a particular degree.
Purposes and Objectives
The general objective of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is to develop in each student:
- a basic understanding of associated professional knowledge necessary to be an officer in the US Armed Forces;
- a strong sense of personal integrity, individual responsibility and honor; and,
- an appreciation of the requirements of national security.
The Army ROTC Basic Course is designed to give the first and second year ROTC student an introduction to the Army and its career opportunities without incurring any obligation on the part of the student. The Advanced Course (third and fourth years) stresses the military skills and knowledge, and interpersonal skills required of commissioned officers of the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.
The Air Force ROTC General Military Course (GMC) is a two-year course normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years. The course covers two main themes - the development of air power and the contemporary Air Force in the context of military organization. A student can enroll in the GMC without military obligation (unless on an AFROTC Scholarship). The Professional Officer Course (POC) is a two-year course of instruction, normally taken during the junior and senior years. The curriculum covers Air Force leadership and management and American Defense Policy. A minor in Aerospace Studies is available to students completing the specified requirements in Air Force ROTC.
Army Program
Army Program. The Basic and Advanced Courses consist of 4 semesters each as shown below. See the “Description of Courses” section of this catalog for further information.
| Basic Courses | ||
| MS 1112 | Introduction to ROTC | 2 |
| MS 1122 | Introduction to Leadership | 2 |
| MS 2113 | Advanced Leadership | 3 |
| MS 2123 | Tactics and Officership | 3 |
| Total | 10 | |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| MS 3113 | Advanced Military Skills I | 3 |
| MS 3123 | Advanced Military Skills II | 3 |
| MS 4114 | Leadership Challenges and Goal-Setting | 4 |
| MS 4124 | Transition to Lieutenant | 4 |
| Total Hours | 14 | |
Professional Military Education (PME). In addition to the above, each cadet must complete, as a minimum, one university approved course in each of the following subject areas; Written Communication Skills, Human Behavior, American Military History (HI 4233), Computer Literacy, and Math Reasoning. The PME requirement is normally achieved by the cadet as part of a normal course of study. Students should coordinate with a Military Science instructor to determine a course of action to complete the PME requirement.
Requirements for commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army include thirty-three days at the Leadership Development Assessment Course (normally between the junior and senior years), completion of the Advanced Course, satisfactory academic progress, and the recommendation of the Professor of Military Science (PMS).
Entrance Requirements
Basic Course. The Army Basic Course is an elective course requiring only that the individual be a full time student and a legal U. S. citizen. ROTC credit hours earned at other universities are transferable.
Entrance into the Advanced Course is on a selective and competitive basis. The primary requirements for entry into the advanced program are satisfactory completion of the basic course or equivalent, good academic standing, demonstrated leadership ability, an approved physical examination and completion of 60 semester hours of college credit.
Two-Year Program. Equivalent credit for the basic course may be obtained by students with 54 semester hours of college credit or more for direct enrollment in the advanced course, based on any one of the following.
- Satisfactory completion of the four week Leader’s Training Course (LTC). LTC is an intensive introduction to Army life and leadership training of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, the aim of the course is to motivate and qualify Cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC program. LTC is primarily intended for students who could not obtain the basic ROTC course during the freshman and sophomore years.
- at least 180 days of honorable service or active duty for training with the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
- Substitute credit, which in varying amounts may be derived from attendance at service academies, junior ROTC courses, and National Defense Cadet Corps training.
- Successful completion of Basic Combat Training with the Army Reserve or the National Guard.
Interested students should consult the PMS during their first sophomore semester but not later than their junior year. Graduate students should apply prior to starting graduate work.
Simultaneous Membership program (SMP). Students who are members of a National Guard or Army Reserve unit may qualify for direct entry into the Army ROTC Advanced Course. Consult the PMS for additional information concerning the financial benefits of this program.
Summer Training
The Army Leader’s Training Course can be used by students desiring to enter the Advanced Course who are not eligible for advanced placement under any other process (e.g. Basic Course, veteran, four years of junior ROTC, completion of Basic Training, etc). The course is five weeks long and incurs no military obligation for attendance. The course is a substitute for the two year Basic Course. Students attending may compete for Army scholarships.
MS 3376 Advanced Leadership Course
The five-week Army Advanced Camp is required of all students enrolled in the Advanced Course and is normally attended between the junior and senior year.
Uniforms and Equipment
Uniforms and textbooks are issued without cost to students. However, all equipment and textbooks must be returned to the ROTC Department upon departure of the student, and any such article lost or damaged other than by fair wear and tear, must be paid for by the students. Each student enrolled in ROTC is responsible for the maintenance of his/her uniform. Students who fail to clear their accounts before leaving the institution will have their university records placed on hold.
Pay and Allowances
On Campus. Each student enrolled in the Army Advanced Course is paid a monthly subsistence allowance by the Federal Government of $450.00 per month for juniors and $500.00 per month for seniors.
Summer Training. While at the Leadership Training Course, the student receives pay at the rate of $26.42 per day (approximately $792.60 per month). Students attending the Leadership Development Assessment Course also receive pay at a rate of $28.19 per day (approximately $845.70 per month) less applicable taxes.
Army ROTC Scholarship Program
The Army awards ROTC scholarships to outstanding students each academic year. Army ROTC scholarships are for periods of two, three, or four years. They pay tuition, fees, books, and laboratory expenses incurred by the cadet and provide up to $500 per month subsistence allowance to the cadet for the duration of the scholarship (except during the summer). Additionally, 4-year Scholarship Winners and 3-year Designees that attend MSU may receive up to $2000 for room and board. The amount of the award depends on the number of scholarship winners and designees that attend MSU. All contracted cadets can compete for a scholarship. Both men and women are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
High school students should consult their guidance counselors early in September or October of their senior year to apply for the four year scholarship. College sophomores with a 2.5 GPA and greater who otherwise qualify may be eligible for a 2-year scholarship.
Obligations
Accepting a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army incurs a service obligation of eight years. This period may be served in a variety of ways to include: Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard, Individual Ready Reserve or a combination of these.
Air Force Program
Air Force Course Program. The General Military Course (GMC) and the Professional Officer Course (POC) consist of four semesters as shown below. See the “Description of Courses” section of this catalog for further information. Each course has a mandatory laboratory.
| General Military Courses (GMC) | ||
| AS 1012 | Foundations of U.S. Air Force-I | 2 |
| AS 1022 | Foundations of U.S. Air Force-II | 2 |
| AS 2012 | Air and Space Power-I | 2 |
| AS 2022 | Air and Space Power-II | 2 |
| Total | 8 | |
| Professional Officer Course (POC) | ||
| AS 3013 | Air Force Leadership Studies-I | 3 |
| AS 3023 | Air Force Leadership Studies-II | 3 |
| AS 4013 | National Security Affairs and Preparation for Active Duty-I | 3 |
| AS 4023 | National Security Affairs and Preparation for Active Duty-II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Requirements for commissioning as a USAF Second Lieutenant include completion of a degree according to the university’s rules and regulations, completion of the Professional Officer Course, completion of AFROTC Field Training (normally during the summer between the sophomore and junior years), and approval of the Professor of Aerospace Studies. Officer candidates must be between 18 and 31 years of age for commissioning.
Entrance Requirements
GMC: To enter the GMC, a student must be full-time, be a U.S. citizen, be in good physical condition, and be of good moral character.
POC: In addition to the GMC requirements, POC cadets must have passed the AFROTC Physical Fitness Test. They must be selected by a board of USAF Officers, and have completed a five-week field training encampment.
While Aerospace Studies courses are designed to prepare eligible students for commissioning as Second Lieutenants in the USAF, the AS academic courses are open to all interested students, even those who do not meet GMC or POC entry requirements. There is no armed forces service obligation for joining the GMC. AFROTC detachment personnel will explain any commitments associated with POC entry of AFROTC scholarships.
Field Training: AFROTC cadets who have completed the GMC course work and meet other requirements for POC entry will normally attend the four-week USAF field training encampment between their sophomore and junior years. Field Training is a mentally and physically demanding period of concentrated USAF training.
Uniforms and Equipment: AFROTC issues uniforms and textbooks without cost to students. However, all equipment and textbooks remain property of AFROTC and must be returned before departure. Each student is responsible for the maintenance of his/her uniform.
Pay and Allowances: Each student enrolled in the POC is paid a monthly subsistence allowance of at least $450 while enrolled in the POC (maximum of 600 days). While at Field Training, students are paid at a rate of approximately $20 per day.
In-College Scholarship Program
Full-time students are eligible to apply for Air Force ROTC three- or two-year scholarships. The majority of scholarships pay full college tuition, laboratory and incidental fees, book costs, plus at least $350 per month, depending on academic year. Applicants are selected on the basis of college grade point average, ACT scores, and a recommendation from the Professor of Aerospace Studies. Final selection is made by a Central AFROTC selection board which considers qualified applicants nationwide. There is no maximum number of scholarships for any one school. Students who are not presently taking AFROTC courses may still apply for the in-college scholarships.
Inquiries about AFROTC scholarships may be made directly to the Admissions Officer, AFROTC Detachment 425, Box AF, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
Active Duty Obligations: Individuals who complete the AFROTC program and are commissioned a Second Lieutenant incur an active duty service commitment of four years.
ROTC Extracurricular Activities
Cadet Military Societies. Chapters of the Scabbard and Blade (Army and Air Force). Arnold Air Society (Air Force), and the Society of American Military Engineers (Army and Air Force) are chartered by appropriate national organizations. Selected Basic cadets with scholarships and Advanced cadets are eligible for membership in the Scabbard and Blade, and the Arnold Air Society, while the Society of American Military Engineers is open to all ROTC cadets and engineering students.
Drill Teams. The Blue Knights is a precision military drill team, composed of selected cadets from Air Force ROTC. The drill team participates in university and community events, as well as in state-wide competitions.
Lee’s Rangers. The Army ROTC Lee’s Rangers is made up of selected volunteers from the Army. This unit participates in extra training in small unit tactics and leadership under simulated combat conditions. Emphasis is placed on maintaining a high level of physical conditioning and developing self-confidence. Participants must be enrolled in Army ROTC. The Lee Ranger Company sponsors the ranger challenge team.
Army “Blades”. The “Blades” were established in March 1969 to formalize the women’s auxiliary of the Army ROTC Cadet Corps. These outstanding coeds serve the University and Cadet Corps as hostesses at social functions and in other ways to promote citizenship and interest in the Army ROTC program. They also undertake various service projects.
Silver Wings. Silver Wings is a nationwide honorary organization of college students dedicated to the interests of the United States Air Force and Air Force ROTC. Silver Wings evolved from the previously all-female auxiliary of the cadet corps, Angel Flight. Silver Wings exists to further the cause of the United States Air Force by promoting the interest of college men and women in the Air Force ROTC program. Members of Silver Wings are considered associated members of Arnold Air Society. Participation in worthwhile projects such as the Red Cross blood drives and orphanage parties, as well as hosting at Air Force ROTC functions makes these students an outstanding asset to the campus.
Bulldog Battery. The Army ROTC’s Bulldog Battery exists to support military ceremonies and athletic events.
Color Guard. Both the Air Force and Army Programs have Color Guards. The cadets present the Colors at home football and SEC home basketball games. They also participate in various community events.