ROTC Classes | Army ROTC | SIU

The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) program provides leadership training for students at SIU and helps train officers for the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and U.S. Army National Guard. Army ROTC enhances a Student's education and provides unique educational opportunities by combining leadership and management theory with actual hands-on experience. Army ROTC helps the student to develop self-discipline, physical stamina, and poise-the qualities basic to success in any career.

Army ROTC is an elective course, which can lead to a commission in the United States Army. Army ROTC is a program that can enhance education by providing unique leadership training, skills, and management experience. It helps develop the qualities necessary for success in either a military or civilian career. Students can earn a college degree and an Army Officer's commission at the same time.

Basic Course

The Basic Course consists of a series of four courses (one taken per semester) open to all students that may be counted as electives. Enrollment is BAsic Course classes does not obligate a student to Military Science. freshman will normally enroll in AMS 101 and 102 and sophomores will normally enroll in AMS 201 and 202. 

AMS 101. INTRODUCTION TO THE ARMY (1 or 2 Credit hours).

Basic drill and ceremony, physical fitness, rappelling, first aid, military presentations and rank structure. One classroom hour, optional leadership lab for additional credit hour, participation in three one hour sessions for physical fitness if desired.

AMS 102. ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (1 or 2 Credit hours).

Principles of effective leading. Communication skills to improve individual performance and group interaction. Relation of military organizational ethical values to the effectiveness of a leader. One classroom hour, optional leadership lab for additional credit hour, participation in three one hour sessions for physical fitness if desired.

AMS 201. LEADERSHIP (3 Credit hours).

Ethics-based military leadership skills that develop individual abilities and contribute to building effective teams. Oral presentations, advanced first aid, land navigation and basic military tactics. Two classroom hours, a required leadership lab, participation in three one-hour physical fitness sessions.

AMS 202. FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP II (3 Credit hours).

Introduction to individual and team aspects of military tactics in small unit operations. Radio communications, safety assessments, and movement techniques. Two classroom hours, a required leadership lab, participation in three one-hour physical fitness sessions.

Advanced Course

The U.S. Army ROTC Advanced Course is structured to develop the leadership potential of students choosing to pursue an officer commission. Prerequisites for the Advanced Course may be satisfied in a number of ways; specific questions on individual eligibility should be addressed to the department staff. Students accepted into the Advanced Course agree to complete the curriculum and to accept an Active U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or U.S. Army National Guard commission, if offered.

Each Contracted Cadet receives a Cadet Stipend of $420.00 per school month allowance during the school year. Airborne, Air Assault, and the Mountain Warfare training courses are U.S. Army schools available to qualified volunteers in addition to other training opportunities.

AMS 203. BASIC CAMP

AMS 203 is a Summer course offered through SIU, for students who are required to attend the Army ROTC Basic Camp in order for them to receive Basic Course credit. If the student is signed up for AMS 203 and completes the required course, they will receive 6 hours of academic credit. The student will also receive and satisfy all prerequisites for entry into the Advance Course. Attendance to Basic Camp does not incur any military obligation. Attendees are eligible for potential scholarship opportunities upon completion of Basic Camp.

AMS 301. TRAINING MANAGEMENT (4 Credit hours).

Series of practical opportunities to lead small groups in situations of increasing complexity. Uses small unit defensive tactics and opportunities to plan and conduct training. Three classroom hours, a leadership lab, participation in three one-hour physical fitness sessions. Participation in one weekend exercise is required, and one or two additional weekend exercises are offered for optional participation. Prerequisite: Completion of the basic course. Instructor permission required for enrollment.

AMS 302. APPLIED LEADERSHIP (4 Credit hours).

Continues methodology of AMS 301. Military missions and task analysis. Ethical decision making and lessons from leadership case studies. Three classroom hours, a leadership lab, participation in three one-hour physical fitness sessions. Participation in one weekend exercise is required; two other weekend exercises optional. Prerequisite: Completion of AMS 301. Instructor permission.

AMS 358. ADVANCE CAMP

A five-week leadership camp, with pay is an integral part of the Advanced Course and normally is completed between the junior and senior years. Students will attend CLC during the summer. Satisfactory completion of Cadet Leader Course earns 6 hours of academic credit. Highly structured, demanding, and stressing leadership at small unit levels under varying, and challenging conditions.

AMS 401. THE ARMY OFFICER (4 Credit hours).

Plan, conduct and evaluate activities of the ROTC cadet organization. Articulate goals; put plans into action to attain them. Assess organizational cohesion and develop strategies to improve it. Develop confidence in skills to lead people and manage resources. Learn and apply various Army policies and programs. Three classroom hours, a two-hour leadership laboratory, and weekly physical fitness activities. Cadets will also participate in a weekend field training exercise (FTX) and a dining-in. Prerequisite: AMS 301 and 302 or department head permission.

AMS 402. MISSION COMMAND AND THE COMPANY GRADE OFFICER (4 Credit hours).

Continues the methodology from AMS 401. Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas. Refine counseling and motivating techniques. Examine aspects of tradition and law as relate to leading as an officer in the U.S. Army. Prepare for a future as a successful U.S. Army lieutenant. Three classroom hours, a two-hour leadership laboratory, and weekly physical fitness activities. Cadets will also participate in a weekend field training exercise (FTX) and a dining out or military ball.

AMS 403. INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent research, analysis and monthly discussion on related military topics. Personal, academic, and professional goals and objectives, development and maintenance of an officer evaluation report support form. Pr.: AMS 401 and 402 or department head permission.

AMS 404. U.S. MILITARY HISTORY

Explore U.S. Military History from the Colonial Era to present. Specifically, the main two goals are to examine the relationship of the military to American society, and appreciate the value of military history to the Professional Officer. This course relies heavily on student input for class discussion, presentations and reviews. By the end of the course, the student should be armed with a better knowledge of repeating themes, variables and outcomes.