College of Social and Behavioral Science
Department Office: Building 638, Room 101
Mailing Address: 255 Fort Douglas Blvd #638, Salt Lake City, UT 84113-5035
Phone: 801-581-6716
Website: www.milsci.utah.edu
Department Chair: LTC J. Grant Wissler
The Military Science Department (Army ROTC) offers a leadership program for college men and women leading to a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army (Active, Reserve, or National Guard). All courses receive academic credit toward graduation. Students may earn an academic minor in Military Science.
The Department of Military Science prepares college students to be the leaders of the 21st century. This program offers an opportunity to:
Receive a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army
Learn and practice hands-on leadership
Receive military training
Receive financial aid and/or scholarships
Uniforms and equipment necessary for the program are provided by the Department of the Army without cost to the University or contracted students. A subsistence allowance of up to $4,000 per year is available to contracted students.
Undergraduate Program
Please see the Military Science Minor listed in the Program and Course Offerings section.
Four-Year Program
The four-year Army ROTC program consists of Basic Camp and Advance Camp.
Basic Camp
Basic Camp is the premier leadership program of its kind in the United States. An intense four-week introduction to Army life and leadership training of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the aim of the course is to motivate and qualify Cadets for entry into the Senior ROTC Program. Basic Camp, as it's known, is designed for college students, typically between their freshmen and sophomore years. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates can take part in ROTC at their college as a third-year student in the four-year program.
While attending Basic Camp at Fort Knox, KY., Cadets gain an experience that runs the gamut of Army life and the responsibilities of being an officer. The course instills confidence and decision-making abilities to become a leader, in the Army and in life. Cadets spend their first few days learning Army basics under the tutelage of drill sergeants. They take their first Army Physical Fitness Test, which consists of sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run. Cadets are introduced to working in small-group team-based dynamics in activities such as an obstacle course to accomplish set goals. Cadets' leadership responsibilities grow as they lead peers through simulated combat scenarios using paintball guns in a field training exercise and on urban-based squad tactics missions. Fear of heights is confronted on the high ropes course and at the top of the 31-foot rappel tower. Swimming is tackled during combat water survival training, where Cadets jump blindfolded off a 3-meter high dive while holding a rifle over their heads.
The four weeks (29 days) of Basic Camp are mentally grueling and physically taxing. But the reward of graduation and meeting ROTC standards is the opportunity to enroll in the world's greatest leadership program and to receive college tuition assistance. Graduation from Basic Camp has been the first step in many successful officers' careers. Graduates have gone on to lead America's sons and daughters in fighting to preserve American democracy and freedoms or in civilian life in the boardrooms and offices of American business.
Students must meet eligibility requirements or have the approval of the Professor of Military Science to enroll in Basic Camp. After completing Basic Camp, students who have demonstrated officer potential and who meet Army physical standards are eligible to enroll in the Advance Camp. Students are required to participate in physical fitness training. In addition, students are required to wear issued military uniforms during labs and classroom instruction.
Advance Camp
Advance Camp is now held annually at Fort Knox, KY. The U.S. Army's largest training exercise, Advance Camp is the U.S. Army Cadet Command's capstone training event. The purpose of the course is to train U. S. Army ROTC Cadets to Army standards, to develop their leadership skills, and to evaluate their officer potential. Most Army Cadets attend Advance Camp between their junior and senior undergraduate years after having contracted to join the Army. Successful completion of Advance Camp is a prerequisite to becoming an Army officer through ROTC.
The 29-day course starts with individual training and leads to collective training, building from simple to complex tasks. This building-block approach permits integration of previously-learned skills into follow-on training. This logical, common-sense sequence is maintained for each training cycle. Training will consist of Land Navigation (Land Nav), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) skills, Basic Rifle Marksmanship/Live Fire (BRM/LFX), Cultural Awareness, First Aid, Tactical Leader Development (TLD), and Mission Command. Advance Camp students receive training pay of approximately $1000.00 before taxes. Academic credit can be earned for successful camp completion.
Two-Year Program
Students will complete the Basic Camp requirement by attending a paid four-week basic leadership course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Students must meet enrollment requirements. Veterans, members of the National Guard or Army Reserve, and Junior ROTC cadets may receive Basic Camp credit for their prior military service.
Service Obligation
There is no military service commitment for noncontracted students in the Basic Camp. Scholarship Program and Advance Camp students incur an 8-year obligation after commissioning that can be satisfied by service in the Active Army, Army Reserves, or National Guard.
Scholarships
Two-, three-, and four-year merit-based scholarships are available through Army ROTC. These scholarships pay tuition, fees, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend or room and board of $5000 per semester. If room and board is chosen then tuition is not paid. Winners are selected based on achievements in academics, leadership, extracurricular activities and a minimum 2.5 GPA is required. Four year applications are available at www.rotc.usaac.army.mil. Two and three-year applications are available at the University Military Science Department.
LDS Mission Leave Policy
Students leaving on LDS missions are granted a 24-month leave of absence.
Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
A special program is available to students who wish to participate in National Guard or Army Reserve units. These individuals are eligible to receive drill pay, the G.I. Bill ®, and in certain cases, tuition assistance, as well as a monthly stipend. Some students may be eligible for a special Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship and Kicker program.
Special Training
Optional training programs are available to selected cadets. Some of these are:
Airborne School
This three-week Army course qualifies cadets as Army parachutists.
Air Assault School
This two-week helicopter assault training course teaches advanced rappelling from helicopters, aerial insertion, and exfiltration.
Cadet Troop Leadership Training
This three-week internship is taken with an active Army unit in the United States or overseas, following Advance Camp.
Northern Warfare School
A three-week course in arctic operations in Alaska includes inland waterway navigation, mountaineering, and glacier climbing.
Mountain Warfare School (MWS)
A two-week program conducted at the Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vermont. The course teaches cadets the skills needed to operate in a mountainous environment during the summer.
Combat Survival Training (CST)
CST is a 20-day program that affords the cadet the opportunity to practice employing the principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment that enhance survival and evasion prospects, regardless of hostile or adverse climate conditions.
United Kingdom Officer Training Camp (UKOTC)
A three-week program hosted by British Army ROTC counterparts. UKOTC provides cadets the opportunity to conduct ROTC training with a foreign nation.