Entering the Program
Army ROTC is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Sam Houston State University. Although it is primarily a four-year program, students may enter at any point in their academic careers, provided they have two years of full-time University study remaining before graduation. A two-year accelerated program is designed for juniors, transfer students, and graduate students. Advanced placement may be awarded for prior military service. Students who choose to enter ROTC prior to their junior year may be selected to attend the annual Cadet Summer Basic Training Camp following completion of sophomore year. This is a five-week summer program designed to develop leadership skills in order to qualify students for entry into the advanced program (junior and senior years).
Cadets at Sam Houston State University are eligible to earn a 100% tuition, fees, and book scholarship. Criteria to receive a scholarship award are determined by academic accomplishments, individual physical fitness, and a demonstrated potential as a leader. Contracted (scholarship and non-scholarship) cadets receive a monthly tax-free subsistence allowance.
Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Recruiting Operations Officer, Mr. Joseph Burkhart, by email at jxb270@shsu.edu / shsuarmyrotc@gmail.com or by phone at 936-294-4994. The Department of Military Science is located in Academic Building 3, Avenue J, Huntsville, TX 77340. Additional information is available online at either www.goarmy.com/rotc or https://www.cadetcommand.army.mil/faq.aspx.
ROTC Basic Course:
Military Science and Leadership MSLC 1101, 1211, 1212, 2201, 2211, 2212
The Army ROTC Basic Course consists of two distinct components: The Army Profession and Officership year (freshman/MSL I) and the experiential examination of leadership, decision making, and group process year (sophomore/MSL II). MSL I lessons provide an overview of the key subjects of pre-commissioning, which will be treated in much greater depth in the Advanced Course. The MSL II year places cadets in a wide variety of exercises designed to emphasize various professional leadership competencies and insights. These events are held both inside the classroom and in outdoor settings. The instructor helps guide student evaluations of the events to derive the leadership, group dynamics, and problem-solving lessons that the exercises offer. In addition to military skills, practical “life skills” are emphasized throughout the two years. By the end of the Basic Course, cadets possess an understanding of the unique aspects of the officer corps, fundamentals of leadership and decision making, Army institutional values, and principles of individual fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. The lessons are designed to maximize cadet participation, inspire intellectual curiosity, and stimulate self-study.
- MSLC 1101 Applied Leadership Lab I (1 Hour)
- MSLC 1211 Introduction to the U.S. Army (2 Hours)
- MSLC 1212 Agile and Adaptive Leadership (2 Hours)
- MSLC 2201 Applied Leadership Lab II (1 Hour)
- MSLC 2211 Leadership and Decision Making (2 Hours)
- MSLC 2212 Army Doctrine/Team Development (2 Hours)
ROTC Advanced Course: MSLC 3101, 3311, 3312, 3401, 4311, 4312
The Army ROTC Advanced Course is comprised of four Military Science courses, and the National Advance Leadership Camp (NALC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
The ROTC Advanced Course is designed to teach knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for commissioning a new second lieutenant. It also establishes a sound foundation for a career as a commissioned Army officer.
Advanced Course lessons are carefully sequenced, linked, and progressive in their treatment of key officer knowledge and competencies. Students are encouraged to integrate learning to form broader perspectives, deeper insights, and more robust problem-solving abilities. This is accomplished in part through the use of case studies and simulations that require skills and knowledge learned in earlier lessons. The sequencing lesson is designed to meet the immediate needs of cadets by addressing topics required for mastering cadet responsibilities. The MSLC 3101, 3311 and 3312 curricula are organized for success at the NALC, with essential topics developed to facilitate entry into active military service during the MSLC 4311 and 4312 term.
- MSLC 3101 Applied Leadership Lab III/IV (1 Hour)
- MSLC 3311 Training Management (3 Hours)
- MSLC 3312 Applied Leadership (3 Hours)
- MSLC 3401 Nat'l Adv Leadership Camp(NALC) (4 Hours)
- MSLC 4311 The Army Officer (3 Hours)
- MSLC 4312 Company Grade Leadership (3 Hours)
The lessons focus on how an officer needs to assess, to establish, and to maintain a unit’s ethical climate; the lessons underscore the crucial role played by a commander in ensuring that his or her unit acts morally in combat situations. A module addressing military law, leadership, and Army organization (including task organizing for operations) follows, which includes both the tactical and the strategic levels. The next set of lessons focuses on emerging technology and the management of technology at the unit level. This is followed by practical sessions on administrative, operational, and logistics management involving basic soldier and unit-level support. Additional lessons on counseling, leadership, financial planning, and developing a personal leadership vision are included. There are lessons on the administrative requirements for entering the Army, which cover how to report to the initial assignment duty station and the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) expectations for success. The final lesson encourages review and evaluation of the entire course, including a “lessons learned” brainstorming session for the ROTC training program. Upon completion of this course the cadets should be prepared to shoulder the responsibility of being a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
Summer Camps
Cadet Summer Training (CST) Basic Camp
Conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, this five-week training period provides instruction equivalent to that received by U.S. Army ROTC students in the Basic Course. Basic Camp is only necessary for those cadets who have not finished all basic course requirements. Cadets earn basic course requirements for completing four years of JROTC, MSLC 1211–MSLC 2212, or United States Army Basic Training. For those without basic course credit, satisfactory completion of Basic Camp is necessary for those entering the Advanced Course.
Cadet Summer Training (CST) Advance Camp - MSL 3401
Conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, National Advance Leadership Camp is a required four-week course during June and July of practical and theoretical instruction at an Army training center. Normally attended between the junior and senior years with transportation, room and board expenses paid by the Army. Advanced Camp cadets are paid approximately $750 for the four-week period. $750 for the four-week period.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for U.S. Army ROTC cadets takes various forms. All contracted cadets receive an indexed, progressive monthly tax-free subsistence allowance ($300–$500). Several scholarships, described below, may be offered to qualified students to cover tuition and fees or room and board. To learn more about scholarship eligibility and obligation requirements, contact the Department of Military Science, 128 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-4025.
Four-Year Scholarship
The U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to highly qualified and motivated high school seniors who are considering military service as an Army officer. These scholarships pay for tuition, academic fees, and provide a flat rate of $600 for books per semester.
Applications for a four-year scholarship must be made during a student’s high school senior year. The application window opens on February 1 of the student’s junior year and closes on January 10 of the senior year. After January 10 please contact the SHSU Army ROTC office for campus-based scholarships. Application packets may be obtained by contacting U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship at GoArmy.com/ROTC.
Three- and Two-Year Scholarships
Three- and two-year scholarships are awarded to outstanding college students either already enrolled or planning to enroll in the U.S. Army ROTC Program. Interested students may apply to the Enrollment Officer of Military Science, Academic Building 3, Avenue J, Huntsville, TX 77340.
Active Duty Benefits
While on active duty with the Army, officers may take advantage of a number of benefits. The Army provides opportunities for management experience and for advanced education (master’s and doctoral degrees). The pay is competitive with that offered by nonmilitary organizations. Normally, pay raises are approved each year, and a retirement pension is available after 20 years of service. Free medical care, dental care, and legal counsel are provided. Commissary and post exchange privileges are available. Expenses are paid for duty or change-of-station travel. Free personal travel is provided on a space-available basis.
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