Military Science Program
Faculty
Maj. John R. Abella
Military Science is part of the United States Army Cadet Command. As such, it sponsors the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program. Classes are taught under the auspices of the Lehigh Valley Steel Battalion ROTC program, which is the local headquarters for ROTC and military science instruction. Depending upon enrollment, classes are taught either at Lafayette College or at Jordan Hall, Lehigh University.
The ROTC Program complements the educational process by adding those additional skills and areas of knowledge critical to success in a position of leadership in either the Army or as a leader in business or industry.
The objectives of the military science program are to develop leadership and management ability in each student; to provide a basic understanding of the Army’s history, philosophy, organization, responsibilities, and role in American society; and to develop fundamental professional knowledge and skills associated with officership. These objectives are achieved through classroom instruction, leadership laboratories, field trips, role-playing, leadership simulations, and individual assessment and counseling.
Army ROTC offers both a four-year program and a two-year program. The four-year program consists of the two-year basic course and a two-year advanced course. The two-year program consists of the two-year advanced course offered to students with previous military experience and those who have successfully completed a five-week ROTC Leadership Training Course (LTC). Basic course students incur no obligation for service in the Army as a result of taking these courses.
Basic Course. Normally taken in the first-year and sophomore years, the course provides training and instruction in leadership, public speaking, and basic military subjects, such as the Army’s role and organizational structure, history and philosophy of the Army, basic tactics, land navigation, first aid, group dynamics, and leadership traits and characteristics.
Advanced Course. Normally taken in the junior and senior years, advanced instruction includes management, military skills, advanced leadership and tactics, logistics, administration military law, ethics, and professionalism, and includes attendance at ROTCs National Advanced Leadership Course (LDAC). Students receive $420 per month subsistence pay during the junior and senior years. To enroll in the advanced course, an applicant completes either the basic course or the five-week Leadership Training Course; or has received basic course credit for previous military experience.
Professional Military Education. This education is required for a commission and consists of two essential parts: a baccalaureate degree and at least one undergraduate course in military history (History 255, 262, or 370).
Uniforms and Equipment. The department supplies all uniforms and equipment needed by the student for military science courses. Students are charged only for those items that are not returned when they leave the program.
Transfers. Qualified students transferring from another institution may enter the ROTC program at the appropriate level and year provided they have received the necessary credits, the recommendation of their former professor of military science (if applicable), and the approval of the College.
Obligation after Graduation. Upon graduation a student will receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in either the active Army or the Reserve Forces. If offered active duty, scholarship students serve four years while non-scholarship students serve three. If offered reserve duty, students normally serve six to eight years in a Reserve or National Guard unit.
Graduate Studies. ROTC graduates may request to delay their active service to pursue a full-time course of instruction leading to an advanced degree. Delay does not lengthen the active service obligation unless the degree is obtained at military expense.
Career Opportunities. Individuals are commissioned as officers in the United States Army after completion of the ROTC program, the National Advanced Leadership Course (LDAC), and a bachelor’s degree. They then qualify in branches (specialties) such as the Corps of Engineers, Aviation, Armor, Infantry, Field Artillery, Air Defense Artillery, Signal Corps, Military Intelligence, Military Police, Chemical Corps, Ordnance Corps, Finance, Transportation, Adjutant General, Quartermaster, Medical Service Corps, or Nursing Corps. Officers work as leaders/managers, specialists, or combinations of the two depending on the assignment.
There are many opportunities for advanced military and civilian schooling beginning with nearly three months of training in the branch specialty. A person may later receive additional training in a specialty area such as: information systems engineering, information operations, strategic intelligence, psychological operations, space operations, human resource management, comptroller, public affairs, foreign area specialization, operations research/systems analysis, nuclear operations and research, information systems management, simulations operations, or strategic plans and policy.
Students selected for reserve forces duty become officers in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard in their hometown area and essentially have a part-time military career. Active duty officers are assigned at various locations throughout the world. An officer can earn retirement through both programs after 20 years of service.
Military Science Courses