Military Science and Leadership
https://armyrotc.utk.edu/
Academic Programs and Courses
Army ROTC
Professor of Military Science and Leadership
LTC Justin R. Howe, MA Management and Leadership – Webster University
Senior Military Science Instructor
MSG Jeff Valentine
Assistant Professors of Military Science
CPT Morgan C. Berg, MS, PhD – Marshall University, MS – Penn State University
CPT Brian R. Donovan, BA – St. Louis University
CPT John W. Toliver, BS – Tennessee Tech University
CPT David Vance, BS – University of the Cumberlands
Military Science Instructors
SFC Enrique Murillo
SSG Wesley Samsel, NGR
Supply Technician
Mr. Randolph G. Graves
Human Resources Technician
Mr. Chris Neuhard
Recruiting and Operations Officer
Mr. Lee Dalton, BA – Excelsior College
Administrative Specialist
Charlotte Longmire, AS – Pellissippi Community College
Mission
To commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army.
Purpose
Army ROTC is an educational program designed to provide the college student an opportunity to earn an army commission as a second lieutenant while completing the university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The program provides leadership training that will develop the skills and attitudes vital to the professional army officer. Upon successful completion of the program and graduation from the university, ROTC cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants and enter either the active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard component.
Army ROTC at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The military program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, pre-dates that of any other state university in the country, having been introduced in 1844. In that year, Professor Albert Miller Lea, a United States Military Academy graduate, organized an infantry company. With the outbreak of the Mexican War, the entire company, as well as thousands of other Tennesseans, volunteered for service in the war. Thus, Tennessee became known as the Volunteer State.
When the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, reopened after the Civil War, a system of military discipline was adapted. A code of military regulations was drawn up and a copy was provided to each student when he matriculated. The entire institution was placed under regular United States Military Academy discipline. The student body was organized into a battalion of cadets, which consisted of four companies fully officered, armed, and equipped under the command of the commandant and his staff of cadet officers. UT Knoxville remained as a military garrison for a period of six years, until 1877. Military Science continued to be taught, since the university was a Land Grant Institution and the 1862 Act of Congress required instruction in military science.
The National Defense Act of 1916 changed the old military organization into an ROTC unit. For the first time, the federal government began to pay a part of the uniform cost for basic course students. The government provided uniforms and other equipment for juniors and seniors, and a monthly subsistence allowance was given to advanced course students.
From 1928-1930, Major (later Brigadier General) Robert R. Neyland served as the Professor of Military Science and football coach at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The objectives of the program are to provide students with a strong foundation of leadership attributes and an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of military art and science; to develop a basic understanding of associated professional knowledge; to inculcate a strong sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility; to foster an appreciation of the requirements for national security; and to establish a sound basis for the students’ future professional development.
ROTC draws young men and women for training from all geographical, economic, and social strata of our society, as well as from the many educational disciplines required for the modern army. The program ensures that men and women educated in a liberal and broad spectrum of American institutions of higher learning are commissioned annually into the officer corps.
The Program
Basic Course
Students entering the basic course register for classes at the same time and in the same manner as they enroll in their other college courses. All four classes (MLSL 101 , MLSL 102 , MLSL 201 , and MLSL 202 ) are available to any UT Knoxville student as an elective course without any military obligation. Completion of the basic course or prior military service qualifies students for entry into the advanced course, which is normally taken during the last two years of college.
Advanced Course
The advanced course is designed to develop and mentor leaders of character who, upon degree completion, will accept a commission in the United States Army. The advanced course requires that applicants have two academic years remaining at either the undergraduate or graduate levels, or a combination of both. Students normally enter the advanced course during the last two years of their degree program (junior year for undergraduates, first year of master’s program for graduate-level students). The advanced course is made up of five military science and leadership classes (MLSL 301 , MLSL 302 , MLSL 303 *, MLSL 401 , and MLSL 402 ) and takes two years to complete. All classes are offered during spring/fall semesters.
Army ROTC develops students under the total person concept. Cadets must maintain academic standards while taking on the additional responsibilities of ROTC. Army ROTC cadets are required to participate in organized physical fitness training. Students enrolled in the advanced course are required to be full-time students, taking at least 12 hours each semester.
Placement and Course Credit Substitution
Placement credit and/or course substitution may be granted by the Professor of Military Science and Leadership on the basis of previous honorable active military service, participation in a junior ROTC program or completion of army basic training and advanced individual training. A student may request placement credit for a portion or the entire basic course. Military science and leadership courses taken at other colleges or universities are transferable as approved by the Professor of Military Science and Leadership.
Requirements for Enrollment and Continuance
The general requirements for enrollment and continuance in the Army ROTC program are as follows.
- Basic course students must
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Be physically qualified.
- Have freshman or sophomore standing. Students with higher standing require consent of instructor.
- Basic course cadets applying for enrollment in the advanced course who seek a commission must
- Have successfully completed MLSL 101 , MLSL 102 , MLSL 201 , and MLSL 202 or have accomplished one of the following: prior military service, ROTC basic military studies; three-year high school ROTC basic course.
- Have two years remaining at the university (either undergraduate, graduate, or in pursuit of additional coursework).
- Have completed a minimum of 55 hours.
- Be under 30 years old at time of graduation and commissioning (waiverable).
- Be enrolled as a full-time student, either at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, or at a nearby institution in a partnership program.
- Meet military screening and physical requirements.
- Maintain a 2.0 G.P.A.
- Maintain B average in military science and leadership courses.
Regularly enrolled students who meet the academic prerequisites may take individual courses as electives with the permission of the department head and academic advisor.
Progression Requirements
- Minimum overall GPA for entrance into the advanced course (MLSL 301 , MLSL 302 , MLSL 401 , and MLSL 402 ) is 2.0 GPA.
- Minimum GPA in military science and leadership courses is 3.0.
- Minimum overall GPA for commissioning is 2.0.
- Semester counseling sessions with military advisor required for advanced course and scholarship students only.
Requirements for All Military Science and Leadership Commissionees
The following military science and leadership advanced course curriculum must be successfully completed.
MLSL 301 (4); MLSL 302 (4); MLSL 401 (4); MLSL 402 (4); and MLSL 349 or MLSL 303 * (3).
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, there are required and recommended courses in designated fields of study that students must complete prior to commissioning. Students meet these prerequisites by successful completion of required and elective courses taken from the university curriculum in the required areas of concentration.
Courses in the following designated fields of study are strongly recommended of students seeking a commission in the United States Army – one course in written communications, one course in human behavior, and one course in math reasoning, one course in computer literacy.
Special Programs
Pay and Entitlements
All scholarship cadets and cadets enrolled in the ROTC advanced course receive uniforms and equipment plus a monthly allowance during the academic year. While attending the ROTC summer studies, each cadet receives approximately $740 for advanced summer studies or $740 for basic summer studies, plus meals and clothing.
Army ROTC Scholarship Program
The Army ROTC scholarship program offers financial assistance to outstanding young men and women in Army ROTC who are interested in the Army as a career. Each scholarship provides for free tuition, textbooks subsidy, and laboratory fees in addition to a monthly subsistence allowance for the period that the scholarship is in effect. The monthly stipend runs from $300 to $500 for contracted cadets. Scholarships may be awarded for two, three, or four years. High school seniors should contact their guidance counselors early in August or September of their senior year to apply for the four-year scholarship. Two- and three-year scholarship applicants should contact the Professor of Military Science and Leadership for further information. Other privately financed scholarships and grants are also available to ROTC cadets.
Leadership Grant Program
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ROTC Leadership Grants are designed to attract and retain high quality/caliber students to the Army ROTC program for future positions of leadership within their service and our country. These grants are intended to complement other ROTC and university scholarships by providing funds to offset costs for such areas as room and board, out-of-state tuition, and first year expenses for Army ROTC scholarship winners.
Up to ten $1,000 leadership grants are available each year and are available to scholarship winners and any full-time student enrolled in the AROTC program. Awarding of these leadership grants will be determined by the Professor of Military Science and Leadership who will evaluate each candidate in the following areas: ACT/SAT scores, leadership activities, and recommendations from high school personnel and community leaders.
Simultaneous Membership Program
The simultaneous membership program option combines the Army ROTC living allowance with membership in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard and allows the student to receive pay from both programs. ROTC cadets serve as officer trainees in direct leadership/management positions. Simultaneous membership program participation with national guard or reserve forces is one weekend per month and two weeks each year. Cadets participating in the simultaneous membership program are eligible for tuition assistance reimbursement up to $4,500 per year.
Branch Selection
The curriculum of the Army ROTC program is designed to qualify the cadet for appointment as an officer. Selection for assignment to the various branches of the army is based upon the personal interests of the cadet, the major course of study, academic accomplishments, leadership potential, and the needs of the service. Under this system a cadet may be commissioned in any branch for which he or she is qualified and in which a need for officers exists. After graduation and commissioning, the officer will attend a service school for further specialized military training which will qualify him or her for the branch to which he or she is assigned.
Extracurricular Activities
Numerous military related activities are available to cadets throughout the school year. These include the Tennessee Rangers, Scabbard and Blade Honor Society, and UT Color Guard. These organizations provide both student-to-student contact and a valuable opportunity to acquire military skills. Additionally, field training exercises are conducted each semester to develop such military skills as small unit tactics, land navigation, and rifle marksmanship.
Physical Fitness Training
The Cadet Battalion conducts physical fitness training Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The exercise program focuses on flexibility, muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Any University of Tennessee, Knoxville, student may take the course by registering for MLSL 103 .
Academic Programs
Air Force and Aerospace Studies
https://afrotc.utk.edu/
Air Force ROTC Program
Professor of Air Force Aerospace Studies
Lt. Colonel Matthew B. J. Castillo, USAF – MA from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Purpose
The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) is an educational program designed to provide the college student an opportunity to earn an Air Force commission as a second lieutenant while completing the university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The program provides education that will develop the skills and attitudes vital to the professional Air Force officer. Upon successful completion of the program and graduation from the university, students are commissioned as second lieutenants and enter active duty.
The Program
AFROTC is designed as a four-year program and students may register at the same time and in the same manner as their enrollment in their other college courses. During their freshman and sophomore years, students enroll in the general military course and there is no military obligation. They then may compete for entry into the professional officer course, which is normally taken during the last two years of college. Selection into the professional officer course is highly competitive and is based on being medical qualifications, physically fitness, term and cumulative grade point averages, scores achieved on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, successful completion of a four-week field training course at an Air Force base, and the recommendation of the Professor of Aerospace Studies. Once enrolled in the professional officer course, cadets begin to receive a non-taxable monthly stipend ranging from $250 to $400 each month, as well as an annual allowance for books, and they also incur a commitment to the US Air Force.
AFROTC develops students under the whole person concept. Cadets must maintain academic standards while taking on the additional responsibilities of AFROTC. These extra responsibilities include being physically fit and demonstrating integrity and good moral character. Cadets normally participate in approximately two hours per week of physical activity outside of class requirements.
Scholarships
Air Force ROTC “In College Scholarships” are available to enrolled, qualified cadets. Not all scholarships are the same, but most cover full in-state tuition, a non-taxable monthly stipend ranging from $250 to $400 each month, and an annual allowance for books. The majority of scholarships are awarded to cadets working toward a technical degree, though scholarships for nursing, foreign languages, and other non-technical degrees are also considered.
High School Students
Competitive four-year scholarships are available to highly qualified high school students. Four-year scholarship application information is available on the AFROTC website at https://www.afrotc.com/.
Leadership Grants
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, AFROTC Leadership Grants are designed to attract and retain high quality students to the Air Force ROTC program by rewarding superior performance as a cadet. Up to $10,000 worth of leadership grants are available each year and are open to scholarship winners and any full-time student enrolled in the AFROTC program. Awarding of these leadership grants will be determined by the Professor of Aerospace Studies and will be based on academic achievement, physical fitness, and overall leadership potential.
Active Duty Commitments
Commissioned graduates going into non-flying duties will be required to serve four years of active duty. Those graduates going into pilot assignments will be required to serve ten years active duty after completion of pilot training. Those graduates going into navigator assignments will be required to serve six years active duty after completion of navigator training. This information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information regarding AFROTC, contact AFROTC Detachment 800, 865-974-3041.
Professional Development Training Programs
To help cadets gain knowledge of the challenges in leadership and human relations encountered by a junior Air Force officer and to motivate them toward an Air Force career, cadets may have the opportunity to participate in a limited number of professional development training programs. These programs are highly competitive and are subject to change based on funding requirements. The largest program for the University of Tennessee is a University funded Base visit opportunity during spring break for cadets enrolled in the professional officer course. On this base visit, cadets will learn about a variety of Air Force career fields as they tour multiple organizations and facilities with diverse mission sets. In most cases, a lucky few will receive incentive flights on Air Force aircraft such as the F-16 or F-15. Other professional development training programs include summer internships with Joint or National Agencies and cultural immersion programs abroad. All programs are subject to change; specifics will be addressed annually with all enrolled cadets.
