Military Science

http://armyrotc.as.miami.edu

Dept. Code: MSL

Introduction

The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is one of the nation's top leadership programs and is a college elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. The military science department's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program of instruction provides a base for normal progression in the commissioned officers' educational program. Students who complete all ROTC requirements are commissioned as second lieutenants and serve in the Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve. It prepares you with the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Army ROTC is a one-of-a-kind experience, along with great leadership training, it will give you valuable real-world tools and leadership skills that will benefit not only your professional career but your personal life as well. Army ROTC can also assist in paying for your college tuition as well as many other benefits. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be an Officer in the Army.

Being an Officer in the U.S. Army means you're a leader, a counselor, a strategist and a motivator. It's similar to being a vital manager in a corporation. As an Officer in the military, you will lead other Soldiers in all situations and adjust in environments that are always changing. You'll be driven to achieve success with your team on every mission.

Leadership and management objectives are included in academic periods of instruction. Practical leadership experience is gained in a field training environment by attendance at a 31-day summer camp, normally between the junior and senior years. Nursing students may attend a nursing internship at Army hospitals following the normal summer camp. A leadership laboratory also provides experience in a range of leadership positions during the school year. The department offers both a four-year and a two-year program, each with its own special advantages. Students are invited to visit or contact the Department of Military Science to obtain additional information at 305-284-3329 or 305-348-1619 or email armyrotc@miami.edu to discuss their eligibility status.

Core Program

The program requires four years of military science courses which consist of a two-year basic course and a two-year advanced course. Students can begin the four-year program as a freshman or sophomore.

There is also a two-year ROTC program for those students with only two years of college remaining. The two-year course is designed for junior college and other non-ROTC college transfer students, but may be utilized by students who did not enroll in the basic course outlined below.

Graduate students may also qualify for enrollment in the two-year course. Additional information regarding eligibility requirements for the two-year program may be obtained by contacting the Department of Military Science.

Basic Course

The Basic Course takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves one elective class and lab each semester along with the requisite physical training and field training exercises. The purpose of this instruction is to qualify students for entry into the advanced course by familiarizing them with the organization of the Army, military skills, and military tradition. You will learn basic military functions, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without a military commitment. Enrollment in ROTC requires proof of a doctor's physical screening.

Advanced Course

The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes one elective class and lab each semester in addition to the requisite physical training and field training exercises, plus a summer leadership camp. Instruction in the advanced course includes leadership and management, the exercise of command, military teaching methods, tactics, logistics, administration, history, and military justice. Leadership experience and command experience are provided by assigning advanced course students as cadet officers and noncommissioned officers. You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. To benefit from the leadership training in the Advanced Course, all Cadets must have completed either the Basic Course or have attended the Basic Leader's Training Course. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.

Army Nurse Corps Option

Students enrolled in the School of Nursing curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing may simultaneously qualify for commissions as Second Lieutenants in the Army Nurse Corps. Nursing students qualify for entry into the Officer Development Course through satisfactory completion of the General Military Course, the Basic Camp option or equivalent training. Nursing students participate in a summer Advanced Camp training program and an Army nurse training program. They provide practical and leadership experience in the clinical setting. The focus is to provide nursing cadets an experience which integrates clinical, interpersonal and leadership knowledge and skills. Emphasis is placed on practical experience under the direct supervision of an Army Nurse Corps Officer who acts as the cadet's preceptor throughout the camp period.

Professional Military Education

In addition to basic and advanced ROTC courses, cadets must complete professional military education requirements consisting of one course in each of the following areas: written and oral communication skills, U.S. military history, and computer literacy. Students should consult with the professor of military science to determine those University courses suitable for fulfilling these requirements.

Monetary Allowances

Cadets selected for admission into the advanced course qualify for a nontaxable monetary allowance of $420.00 per month as a contracted cadet during the semester. Cadets may also qualify for the simultaneous membership program with the United States Army Reserve or National Guard, which can provide approximately $4500.00 per fiscal year during the last two years of school. Both the United States Army Reserve and the National Guard offer additional monetary incentives for cadets who join their organizations (drill pay).

Army ROTC College Scholarship Program

Financial assistance is available in the form of two- or three-year ROTC academic scholarships for selected students. Under the Army ROTC Scholarship Program, the students/cadets receive FULL Tuition and Fees. Additionally, Army scholarship recipients receive a flat-rate allowance of $1200 per year for textbooks and other expenses and $420.00 per month during the semester. During the 32-day advanced course summer training between the junior and senior years, Army ROTC also pays attending cadets $37 per day plus room and board. There are also numerous national and organizational scholarships that students may compete for as a member of Army ROTC.

Additionally, University of Miami undergraduates enrolled in the Army ROTC program are assured a combined University grant and/or scholarship award during the fall and spring semesters equal to 25% of the University’s tuition charge for a maximum of four years.  The subsidy is not available during the summer term.  Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the Army ROTC program, must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving the subsidy, and full time enrollment in one of the University’s undergraduate degree programs is required.   No application is required. Awards are made automatically based on information provided by the University’s Army ROTC detachment.

Basic Camp

Basic Camp is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. This leader development course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course. By transforming yourself through this rigorous training, you will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC Advanced Course on campus-provided you have two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate). You will also receive a stipend, transportation to and from Fort Knox, housing and meals.

Advanced Camp

Every Army ROTC Cadet who enters into the Advanced Course attends the Cadet Leadership Course. It's a five-week summer program to evaluate and train all Army ROTC Cadets. This course normally takes place between your junior and senior years of college, and is conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Uniforms and Textbooks

All uniforms, equipment and items of insignia incident to membership in the Army ROTC Program are furnished by the Department of Military Science.  Textbooks are provided at no cost to students/cadets enrolled in the basic and advanced courses.

Special Activities

Cadets have the opportunity to join and participate in a number of military affiliated organizations and activities, both on a voluntary and a selective basis. The Color Guard is a voluntary organization that functions as a military unit participating in military ceremonies and presenting the national colors at civic events. Cadets have the opportunity to qualify for and compete with cadets from other universities and colleges in a series of military events termed Ranger Challenge.

Cadets that qualify can also attend Army specialty schools such as  Airborne School, Air Assault School, Mountain Warfare, Scuba School, Sapper School, Cadet Tactical Leader Training (CTLT).

Awards and Decorations

Awards and decorations made available by national organizations, the University of Miami Army ROTC Alumni Association, and local and national military organizations, are presented to both basic and advanced officer course cadets each year. These plaques, trophies, medals, and ribbons symbolize superior achievement in Army ROTC and other University academic courses, and in outstanding campus and cadet corps leadership.

Prerequisite for Admission to the Professional Officer Course

1. Acceptance by the University of Miami.
2. Be at least 17 years of age at time of acceptance.
3. Pass a physical health assessment.
4. Be able to complete the professional officer course and graduate from the University of Miami prior to reaching the age of thirty one (31) at the time of commissioning.

Those students enrolled in the four-year Army ROTC program must complete the basic course or its equivalent, or have acceptable prior military service. Veterans and students with previous ROTC training are invited to contact the Department of Military Science 305-284-3329 or 305-348-1619 or email armyrotc@miami.edu to discuss their eligibility status.

Students desiring entry into the two-year Army ROTC program should contact the Department of Military Science one semester prior to the semester in which they wish to enroll in the professional officer course. This lead time is required to complete the application and a physical examination prior to enrollment in the professional officer course.

Leadership Laboratory

Leadership laboratory is required for students who are members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps or who are eligible to pursue a commission as determined by the professor of military science. Leadership laboratory is the formalized phase of leadership training conducted by the cadre and Cadets. It is scheduled for once a week for both the basic and advanced officer courses (non-contracted and contracted). All uniforms and equipment required for cadet activities are furnished.

Educational Objectives

To provide a base of knowledge in the areas of ethics, leadership, Communication skills, Military Leadership, U.S Military History, Tactics and Team building to include future Officer development.

Degree Programs

Students can receive a minor in Military Science once requirements are met along from the university by being in the Army ROTC program.