Program Overview

Overview of the Military Science Program

The Military Science Program at the University of Iowa maintains the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. The program develops individual and organizational leadership attributes both in and out of the classroom, providing skills applicable to both civilian and military career fields.

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Basic Courses

The ROTC basic course sequence is designed primarily for first- and second-year students, introducing the fundamentals of leadership and management and the roles of the military as influenced by national and foreign policy. The following four courses satisfy the basic course requirement:

• MILS:1010: Leadership and Personal Development MSL101 (1 s.h.)
• MILS:1020: Introduction to Tactical Leadership MSL102 (1 s.h.)
• MILS:2010: Innovative Team Leadership MSL201 (2 s.h.)
• MILS:2020: Foundations of Tactical Leadership MSL202 (2 s.h.)

Students who wish to join ROTC and commission as an Army officer but are unable to take the basic course requirements in sequence should meet with military science faculty to discuss their individual circumstances and tailor an academic plan. Students with prior military service may receive credit towards basic course requirements.

Advanced Courses

ROTC advanced courses are restricted to students who wish to pursue a commission as an Army Lieutenant in Active Army, Army Reserves, or the Army National Guard upon graduation. They are open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Most cadets in advanced courses incur an obligation to the Army that can be satisfied in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

To join advanced courses, students must satisfy the basic courses requirement, earn at least 54 s.h., and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00. In order to become U.S. Army officers, cadets must complete the Advanced Camp, held at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets normally attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their third and fourth years.

The following courses satisfy the advanced courses requirement:

• MILS:3010: Adaptive Tactical Leadership MSL301 (3 s.h.)
• MILS:3020: Leadership in Changing Environments MSL302 (3 s.h.)
• MILS:4010: Developing Adaptive Leaders MSL401 (3 s.h.)
• MILS:4020: Leadership in a Complex World MSL402 (3 s.h.)

Additional Coursework

Cadets whose aim is a commission must satisfy a Professional Military Education (PME) requirement. They must complete at least one course in military history from the following list. Cadets may use other courses to meet the additional coursework requirement with the military science director's approval:

• HIST:1261: American History to 1877 (3 s.h.)
• HIST:1262: American History 1877-Present (3 s.h.)
• HIST:3271: American Revolutionary Period (3 s.h.)

Scholarship Opportunities

The Military Science Program offers two-, three-, and four-year ROTC scholarships for students who enter the ROTC program. These scholarships pay full tuition at the University of Iowa, an allotment for books and supplies each semester, mandatory educational fees, and a tax-free monthly stipend during the academic year. The tax-free monthly stipend is provided to non-scholarship cadets who enter a contractual agreement with ROTC to serve in the Army. Additional financial assistance may be provided through scholarships.

Undergraduate Program of Study

Minor

• Minor in Military Science

Military Science Courses

Course Descriptions

• MILS:1010 Leadership and Personal Development MSL101 (1 s.h.): Introduction to the personal challenges and competencies critical for effective leadership; how skills such as critical thinking, goal setting, time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership, officership, and the army as a profession; dimensions of army leadership; understanding of the ROTC program, its purpose in the army, its advantages for students. Offered fall semesters.
• MILS:1020 Introduction to Tactical Leadership MSL102 (1 s.h.): Leadership fundamentals such as setting direction, problem solving, listening, presenting briefs, providing feedback, using effective writing skills; leadership values, attributes, skills, and actions explored through hands-on, interactive exercises; cadre role models, development of strong relationships among students through common experience, practical interaction. Offered spring semesters.
• MILS:1090 Leadership Laboratory (0 s.h.): Hands-on training in basic soldier skills, such as customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, first aid, weapons employment, troop movement techniques; leadership training for U.S. army officership.
• MILS:1095 Advanced Military Fitness Training (1 s.h.): Aerobics and running, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and nutrition through exercise and classroom instruction; how to evaluate and measure fitness improvement; developed around Army physical fitness training program.
• MILS:1159 Crosstown Army ROTC (0 s.h.): A progression of experiences designed to develop leadership ability, military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and military professional development.
• MILS:2010 Innovative Team Leadership MSL201 (2 s.h.): Dimensions of creative, innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles explored through team dynamics and historical leadership theories (trait and behavior) central to the Army leadership framework; personal motivation and team building through planning, executing, and assessing team exercises and participating in leadership labs; continued development of leadership values and attributes through understanding army rank, structure, duties, basic aspects of land navigation and squad tactics; case studies on soldier's creed and warrior ethos in the contemporary operating environment. Offered fall semesters.
• MILS:2020 Foundations of Tactical Leadership MSL202 (2 s.h.): Challenges of leading tactical teams in the complex contemporary operating environment; dimensions of terrain analysis, patrolling, operation orders; theoretical basis of the army leadership framework, dynamics of adaptive leadership in the context of military operations; self-assessment of cadet leadership styles, practice in communication and team building skills; case studies on importance and practice of teamwork and tactics in real-world scenarios. Offered spring semesters.
• MILS:3010 Adaptive Tactical Leadership MSL301 (3 s.h.): Study, practice, and evaluation of adaptive leadership skills in challenging scenarios related to squad tactical operations; feedback on cadets' leadership attributes and actions, continued development of leadership and critical thinking abilities; development of tactical leadership abilities in preparation for Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). Offered fall semesters. Corequisites: MILS:1090 and MILS:1095. Requirements: MILS:1010 and MILS:1020 and MILS:2010 and MILS:2020; or completion of army basic training or Leader's Training Course.
• MILS:3020 Leadership in Changing Environments MSL302 (3 s.h.): Development of cadet awareness and tactical leadership to platoon level, through increasingly intense situational leadership challenges; experience reviewing combat, stability, and support operations, conducting military briefings, developing proficiency in garrison operation orders; focus on exploring, evaluating, and developing skills in decision-making, persuasion, and motivation of team members in a contemporary operating environment; preparation for summer Leader Development Assessment Course. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: MILS:3010. Corequisites: MILS:1090 and MILS:1095. Requirements: MILS:1010 and MILS:1020 and MILS:2010 and MILS:2020; or completion of army basic training or Leader's Training Course.
• MILS:3121 Readings in Contemporary Military Issues (1-3 s.h.): Preparation of book reviews from a reading list provided by the instructor, with topics ranging from historical battles and campaigns to global impact of U.S. political policies; or writing of an operations order relating to an ROTC event or similar project of historical significance (work in conjunction with instructor). Requirements: MILS:1010 and MILS:1020 and MILS:2010 and MILS:2020; or completion of army basic training or Leader's Training Course.
• MILS:4010 Developing Adaptive Leaders MSL401 (3 s.h.): Development of proficiency in planning, executing, and assessing complex operations, functioning as member of a staff, providing performance feedback to subordinates; experience assessing risk, making ethical decisions, leading fellow cadets; military justice and personnel processes in preparation for officership; identification of key staff responsibilities, coordination of staff roles, use of situational opportunities to teach, train, and develop subordinates. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: MILS:3020 and MILS:3010. Corequisites: MILS:1090 and MILS:1095.
• MILS:4020 Leadership in a Complex World MSL402 (3 s.h.): Leadership dynamics in complex military operations of the contemporary operating environment; differences in customs and courtesies, military law, principles of war, rules of engagement in the face of international terrorism; interaction with nongovernmental organizations, civilians on the battlefield, host nation support; ethical and practical demands on army commissioned officers; preparation for first unit assignment through case studies, scenarios, exercises. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: MILS:3010 and MILS:4010 and MILS:3020. Corequisites: MILS:1090 and MILS:1095.