Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Programs
Bethel University offers the opportunity to combine the pursuit of an academic degree with earning an officer’s commission in the United States Army. Students enrolled in any of the university programs may participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) housed on the University of Notre Dame’s campus.
The university accepts a maximum of 18 free elective credits from the military science courses. This will include two laboratory credits if the ROTC program is completed.
Full financial aid may be available to acceptable candidates.
ARMY
The mission of the Army ROTC Program is to educate, train, develop, and inspire participants to become officers and leaders of character for the U.S. Army and the nation. The program does this through a combination of classroom instruction, leadership labs, and experiential learning opportunities focused on developing the mind, body, and spirit of participants. These opportunities are designed specifically to enhance character and leadership ability in the Cadets and to allow them to practice the essential components of leadership: influencing, acting, and improving. Participants become members of the Fighting Irish Cadet Battalion and complete a planned and managed sequence of classroom courses and practical exercises intended to develop each participant into what an officer must be—a leader of character, a leader with presence, and a leader of intelligence—to enable them to reach their full potential as individuals and as effective leaders of groups. The program affords students an excellent opportunity to serve and focuses on the role of Army officers in the preservation of peace and national security, with particular emphasis placed on ethical conduct and the officer’s responsibility to society to lead, develop themselves and others, and achieve success. The experience culminates ideally with participants earning commissions as second lieutenants in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. As an organization committed to lifelong learning, participants may elect to pursue one of the Army’s numerous opportunities for follow-on postgraduate study as well.
Course Descriptions. The following course descriptions give the number and title of each course. Lecture hours per week, laboratory and/or tutorial hours per week and credits per semester are in parentheses.
MSL 10-101 Military Science and Leadership 101 - Introduction to the Army and Critical Thinking
Credit: 1
MSL 101 introduces you to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership and communication. The focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of Army leadership dimensions, attributes and core leader competencies while gaining an understanding of the ROTC program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. You will learn how the personal development of life skills such as cultural understanding, goal setting, time management, stress management, and comprehensive fitness relate to leadership, officership, and the Army profession. As you become further acquainted with MSL 101, you will learn the structure of the ROTC Basic Course program consisting of MSL 101, MSL 102, MSL 201, MSL 202, Fall and Spring Leadership Labs, and Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET).
MSL 10-102 Military Science and Leadership 102 - Introduction to the Profession of Arms
Credit: 1
MSL 102 introduces you to the professional challenges and competencies that are needed for effective execution of the profession of arms and Army communication. You will explore the seven Army Values and the Warrior Ethos, investigate the Profession of Arms and Army leadership as well as an overview of the Army, and gain practical experience using critical communication skills. Through this course, you will learn how Army ethics and values shape your Army and the specific ways that these ethics are inculcated into Army culture.
MSL 20-201 Military Science and Leadership 201 - Leadership and Decision Making
Credit: 2
Leadership and Decision Making is a critical component of the Army ROTC Basic Course which consists of Freshman and Sophomore year academic classes and Leadership Labs. MSL 201 explores the dimensions of creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles by examining team dynamics and multiple leadership theories that form the basis of the Army leadership framework. Aspects of personal motivation and team building are practiced planning, executing and assessing team exercises. MSL 201 develops knowledge of the leadership attributes and core leader competencies through understanding of Operations Orders, Tactical Decision Making, and the Troop Leading Procedures. Case studies will provide a tangible context for learning the Soldier’s Creed and Warrior Ethos.
MSL 20-202 Military Science and Leadership 202 - Army Doctrine and Team Development
Credit: 2
Army Doctrine and Team Development is the final element of the Army ROTC Basic Course which consists of Freshman and Sophomore year academic classes, Leadership Labs, and Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET). MSL 202 is an introduction to military tactics. The course highlights the impact of terrain analysis to tactical situations, Army Warfighting Functions, and provides an introduction to Unified Land Operations as well as continued instruction of the orders process. Aspects of leadership and team building are practiced through the scope of military operations through multiple decision making vignettes and scenarios. MSL 202 prepares Cadets for progression into the Army ROTC Advanced Course. Cadets develop greater self -awareness as they assess their own leadership styles and practice communication and team building skills. Case studies will provide a tangible context for developing insights into effective integration of basic military doctrine/tactics during military operations.
MSL 30-301 Military Science and Leadership 301 - Training Management and the Warfighting Functions
Credit: 3
MSL 301 is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army Leadership, Officership, Army Values, Ethics, Person-al Development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating, and leading squads and platoons in the execution of missions during a classroom practical exercise, leadership lab, or field training exercise. You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader. You will improve the leader skills that will further develop you into a successful officer. This course includes reading assignments, homework, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MSL IV Cadets. Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the Cadet Leader Course (CLC), which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY.
MSL 30-302 Military Science and Leadership 302 - Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
Credit: 3
MSL302 balances adaptability and professional competence building on the lessons introduced in MSL301. Various platoon operations are stressed in order to familiarize Cadets with material they can expect to execute during Cadet Summer Training. Adaptability concepts introduced include analysis of complex problems, creating solutions that exhibit agile and adaptive thinking, analysis of the situational environment, and formulation of solutions to tactical and organizational problems. This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army Leadership, Officership, Army Values and Ethics, Personal Development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating, and leading a squad or platoon in the execution of a mission during a classroom practical exercise, a leadership lab, or during a leader training exercise. You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills that will further develop you as a successful officer. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MSL IV Cadets who will evaluate you using the Cadet Officer Evaluation System (OES). Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the ROTC Cadet Leader Course (CLC), which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY.
MSL 40-401 Military Science and Leadership 401 – The Army Officer
Credit: 3
MSL 401 develops student proficiency in planning, executing, and assessing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and providing performance feedback to subordinates. You are given situational opportunities to assess risk, make ethical decisions, and lead fellow ROTC cadets. Lessons on military justice and personnel processes prepare you to make the transition to becoming Army officer. During your MSL IV year you will take an active leadership role in the battalion. Both your classroom and battalion leadership experiences are designed to prepare you for your first unit of assignment. You will identify responsibilities of key staff, coordinate staff roles, and use battalion events to teach, train, and develop subordinates. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to plan, coordinate, navigate, motivate and lead a platoon in a future operational environment. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for your Basic Officer Leader Course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning.
MSL 40-402 Military Science and Leadership 402 – Company Grade Leadership
Credit: 3
MSL 402 develops student proficiency in the application of critical thinking skills pertaining to Company Grade leadership, officer skills, Army Values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at platoon level. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, mid-term exam, and a Capstone Exercise in place of the final exam. For the Capstone Exercise, you will be required to complete an Oral Practicum that will evaluate your comprehensive knowledge of MSL 100-400 coursework, academic classes, Leadership Labs, and the Cadet Leader Course Training received at Fort Knox, KY. During your MSL IV year you will take an active leadership role in the battalion, and you will be assessed on leadership abilities during classroom, Leadership Labs, and Leader Development Exercises (LDX). Both your classroom and battalion leadership experiences are designed to prepare you for your first unit of assignment. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for your Basic Officer Leader Course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning.
MSL 41-001 Military Leadership Lab I
Credit: 0
MSL 001- As part of the program Military Leadership Lab provides students with hands on experience with leadership. This is accomplished through planning, executing training events, attending guest lectures, and discussing moral and ethical situations faced by officers in the United States Army.
MSL 41-002 Military Leadership Lab II
Credit: 0
MSL 002 - As part of the program Military Leadership Lab provides students with hands on experience with leadership. This is accomplished through planning, executing training events, attending guest lectures, and discussing moral and ethical situations faced by officers in the United States Army.
Additional AROTC Curriculum (Professional Military Education) Requirements. In addition to the military science requirements outlined above, AROTC scholarship students are required to complete other specified university courses. These additional requirements are taken as a part of the student’s field of study or as degree electives, depending upon the university in which the student is enrolled. Students will be notified of such requirements prior to joining the AROTC program and as part of ROTC orientation. An approved list of courses that meet the professional military education requirement is available.
Student Organizations and Activities. All AROTC students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, to include Drill Team, Ranger Challenge Team, Color Guard and the ‘Shamrock’, the Fightin’ Irish Battalion’s newsletter and Web page. AROTC students also have the opportunity to attend Airborne School, Air Assault School, Northern Warfare School and Mountain Warfare School during the summer break.