ROTC Classes
The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Army Reserve Officers' 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 the qualities basic to success in any career.
Army ROTC is an elective course that 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 in Basic Course classes does not obligate a student to Military Science. Freshmen 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).
The course focuses on an introduction to the Army and basic Soldier skills. It introduces students to the Army and the Profession of Arms. Students will examine the Army Profession and what it means to be a professional in the U.S. Army. The overall focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of the Army Leadership Requirements Model while gaining a complete understanding of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. Cadets also begin learning map reading and land navigation. Students will have initial classes on fieldcraft, first aid, and individual/team movement techniques. *A two-credit-hour course includes a weekly leadership lab facilitated by advanced course cadets and cadre.
Credit Hours: 1-2
AMS 102. Foundations of Leadership (1 or 2 Credit hours).
The course introduces Cadets to the personal challenges and competencies critical to effective leadership. Cadets learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting, and communication. Cadets learn the basics of the communications process and the importance of leaders developing the essential skills to communicate effectively in the Army. *A two-credit-hour course includes a weekly leadership lab facilitated by advanced course cadets and cadre.
Credit Hours: 1-2
AMS 201. Leadership and Ethics (3 Credit hours).
The course focuses on leadership and ethics. The course adds depth to the Cadets' knowledge of the different leadership styles. Cadets will conduct a leadership analysis of famous leaders and a self-assessment of their own leadership style. The Army Profession is presented through the understanding of values, ethics, and how to apply both to different situations they may encounter as a leader. Army Values and Ethics and their relationship to the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and philosophy of military service are also discussed. Cadets are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom during hands-on performance-oriented environments at the weekly leadership lab facilitated by advanced course Cadets and cadre.
Credit Hours: 3
AMS 202. Army Doctrine and Decision-Making (3 Credit hours).
The course focuses on Army doctrine and decision-making. The course begins with analytical techniques, creative thinking skills, and the Army problem-solving process as related to situations faced by leaders when making decisions. Troop leading procedures and operations orders will lead Cadets to an understanding of Army Doctrine and Symbology. Squad tactics will be covered in classes on Unified Land Operations, Offensive Operations, and Defensive Operations.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on, performance-oriented environment during a weekly leadership lab facilitated by advanced course Cadets and cadre.
Credit Hours: 3
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. Cadet Basic Camp (6 Hours).
The course incorporates a wide range of training events designed to develop and assess leadership, officer potential, and qualify students for contracting. The course is rigorous and demanding (mentally and physically) and will test intelligence, ingenuity, and stamina. The structure of the training program is based on action-oriented training with emphasis on hands-on, outdoor training with rapid and constructive feedback to students. The training program is designed to inspire students to become outstanding leaders with a sound understanding of traditional leadership values. Camp is held off campus at Fort Knox, KY.
Credit Hours: 6
AMS 301. Training Management and the War-Fighting Functions (4 Credit hours).
The course focuses on training management and the war-fighting functions. It is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Training Management and how the Army operates through the War-fighting functions. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, preparing, and executing training for a squad conducting small unit tactics. The course includes a weekly leadership laboratory. Prerequisites: AMS 101, 102, 201, 202; or AMS 203.
Credit Hours: 4
AMS 302. Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations (4 Credit hours).
The course focuses on applied leadership in small unit operations. It is an academically challenging course in which you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of direct-level leadership and small-unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating, and leading a platoon in the execution of a mission.
Successful completion of this course will help prepare you for the Cadet Advance Camp, which you will attend in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. The course includes a weekly leadership laboratory. Prerequisites: AMS 101, 102, 201, 202; or AMS 203.
Credit Hours: 4
AMS 357. Cadet Advanced Camp (6 Hours)
This course trains students to Army standards, develops leadership, and evaluates officer potential. Course meets the pre-commissioning summer training requirement as set in accordance with AR 145-1 and CCR 145-03. The Cadet Advanced Course is the most significant training and evaluation event in ROTC. Training is complex, challenging, and rigorous, and is conducted in a stressful environment. Camp is held at Fort Knox, KY. Prerequisites: AMS 301 and AMS 302.
Credit Hours: 6
AMS 401. The Army Officer (4 Credit hours).
The course focuses on the development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course where you will develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities you will need as an Army Officer. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning, and legal responsibilities. At the conclusion of this course, you will be familiar with how to conduct training at the company level using the Training Management Cycle. Includes weekly facilitation of leadership labs.
Restricted to cadets. Prerequisites: AMS 301, AMS 302, and AMS 357. Credit Hours: 4
AMS 402. Company Grade Leadership (4 Credit hours).
The course is an academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities required of junior officers pertaining to the Army in Unified Land Operations and Company Grade Officer roles and responsibilities. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, and an Oral Practicum as the final exam. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for duty as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Includes facilitation of weekly leadership lab.
Restricted to cadets. Prerequisites: AMS 301, AMS 302, and AMS 357. Credit Hours: 4
AMS 403. Independent Study in Military Science
Directed independent study in selected areas. Students may register for one hour per semester or may register for one hour for the first semester and two hours for the second. They may not register for three hours during one semester. Not for graduate credit. Special approval is needed from the department chair of Army Military Science.
Credit Hours: 1-3
AMS 404. U.S. Military History (3 Hours).
This course provides a historical perspective to decisions made by American military leaders, emphasizing solutions to challenges future Army officers might face: battlefield complexity, resource limitations, teamwork deficiencies, etc. The student will learn how former military leaders confronted and coped with similar issues, using their experiences and approaches to arm students with the ability to create their own solutions. Commissioning requirement for Army ROTC cadets.
Course not restricted to ROTC cadets. Credit Hours: 3