Course and Training Information
This curriculum ultimately qualifies the college graduate for a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. For detailed military science curriculum, please visit the AU Course catalog.
Program Features
The Army Military Science Scholarship program awards full-time four, three, and two-year scholarships to eligible students on a competitive basis.
Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) 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). Mandatory training schedules and additional trainings can be found on the Physical Training page.
Basic Course (No military obligation required)
MS I Freshman
This year serves as the cadet's introduction to the Army. These courses are open to all students at AU and there is no military obligation required for enrollment. Subjects covered:
- Role and organization of the Army
- Customs and traditions of the Army
- Military leadership, ethics, and values
- First aid
- Basic map reading skills
- Basic small unit tactics
- Marksmanship
Basic Courses, Freshman Year (MS I)
MILS 1011- Foundations of Officership
MILS 1021 – Adaptive Leadership and Professional Competence
MS II Sophomore
The second year is an expansion of the topics taught in the first year of the program, with a new focus on hands-on leadership opportunities. As with the freshmen year, these courses are open to all AU students without obligation. Subjects covered:
- Written and oral communication
- Advanced map reading skills
- Small unit tactics
- Battle drills
- Practical leadership training
- Marksmanship
Basic Camp
Cadets attend Basic Camp if they have two years remaining in school before graduation, and did not take the first two years of ROTC, prior military service is also credit for the first two years of ROTC. Those who choose this option attend a paid four week summer course conducted at Fort Knox, KY. Cadets learn the same skills and fundamentals of military science and leadership they would have received in the first two years of ROTC in a more rapid, intense sequence. Cadets who complete Basic Camp may be awarded two-year scholarships, if eligible.
Basic Courses, Sophomore Year (MS II)
Advanced Course (Military Obligation)
MS III Junior
The third year marks the beginning of the Advanced Course. While any AU student may take the first two years with no military obligation, third and fourth year cadets must sign a contract to serve as an officer following graduation. Cadets who enroll must have academic Junior, Senior, or graduate status with four semesters remaining. The subjects covered:
- Advanced small unit tactics
- Advanced land navigation
- Advanced practical leadership training
- Develop students' ability to organize, prepare, and conduct training
- Marksmanship
Advanced Courses, Junior Year (MS III)
MILS 3011 – Leadership and Problem Solving
MILS 3021 – Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
Advanced Camp
Advanced Camp is a paid five week leadership course at Fort Knox, KY held during the summer. All cadets attend this training between their junior and senior years. At Advanced Camp, cadets are evaluated on their performance and leadership abilities in a variety of tasks and positions. Cadets also participate in team obstacle courses, rappelling , water safety, weapons firing, and patrolling. Cadets must attend this course to earn an Army commission.
MS IV Senior
The final year of the ROTC Program is to prepare cadets to become successful lieutenants in the Army upon graduation. Senior cadets apply for their branch choice of interest in the fall and receive branching results the following semester. Cadets are assigned battalion staff positions and are responsible for evaluating and counseling underclass cadets. Subjects covered:
- Function and relationship between staff
- Written and oral communication
- Role and responsibilities of armed forces in american society
- Military justice system/international military law
- Preparation from student to officer
Advanced Courses, Senior Year (MS IV)