Military Science
Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Van Meter, Chair & Professor of Military Science
department web page
Faculty
LTC Benjamin J. Van Meter, MAJ Colton Crawford, CPT Alexis Crosby, CPT Ken Ebner, MSG Frank Cantu, SFC Jon Stone
Degrees
Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
Undergraduate Program
EWU's Military Science Department is synonymous with the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. ROTC is one of the Nation’s top leadership programs and is part of Eastern’s college curriculum. Students learn first-hand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups and train as an Officer in the U.S. Army. Upon graduation from college and completion of Army ROTC, students earn the rank of Second Lieutenant and are commissioned into the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.
ROTC is a volunteer program. It offers a two-, three-, four- or five-year curriculum in leadership, both theoretical and practical. Students learn the fundamentals of leadership, then progress into larger roles to improve their level of proficiency. Many other “life skills”, such as time-management, oral and written communication, first aid, and personal fitness are also integrated into ROTC. The program offers an elective curriculum that students take with other college courses. ROTC Cadets live a normal college experience – augmented by military science classes and practical training. ROTC classes are open to ALL enrolled EWU students, and there is no obligation or commitment to the Army unless the student chooses this option. Students who wish to contract must meet academic, medical, physical, and military screening standards. The program also offers a leadership laboratory, off-campus training, and internship opportunities. Both a major and a minor are offered.
How does the program work?
Basic Course: The Basic Course is open to any student interested in basic leadership and military skills training without any military obligation. The majority of Basic Course students ARE NOT CONTRACTED. This means they can leave the program at any time. Non-contracted, enrolled students are not receiving any form of financial incentive from the Army while in college. There are many options for a student in the Basic Course to contract when they decide they are ready, and if they are eligible to contract.
The 100-level courses are 2 credits and consist of a one-hour class and a two-hour leadership laboratory (three hours weekly). The sophomore 200-level courses are 3 credit hours and consist of a two-hour class and a two-hour leadership laboratory (four hours weekly). The focus is on leader development and small group dynamics combined with basic military skills proficiency. This is an excellent opportunity for students to determine if pursuing a contract with ROTC is for them.
A fundamental element of the Basic Course is the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills and improvement of oral and written communication skills. We place students in a variety of situations in order to provide an environment within which to become better leaders. Students are also afforded the opportunity to apply and compete for ROTC 2- and 3-year scholarships.
Upon completion of the Basic Course, students become eligible for entrance into the Advanced Course.
Advanced Course: The Advanced Course is a two-year curriculum consisting of classroom instruction, leadership training, and field training. The 300- and 400-level courses are 5 credits and consist of three hours of class and a three hour leadership laboratory (six hours weekly). The 300-level courses are designed to build upon small unit leader skills. The 400-level classes are designed to refine and prepare the Cadets for their first assignment as an officer. Eligible students must be selected to contract into the Advanced Course. All students in the Advanced Course sign a contract with the Army to continue the program and to enter the Army as an Officer (Reserve or Active Duty) upon graduation.
Students will earn an academic degree of their choice while completing ROTC. Completion of the Advanced Course qualifies the student to earn an officer commission in the Army, either on active duty or in the Army Reserves or Army National Guard.
Note: The required MLSC 101, MLSC 102, MLSC 103 and MLSC 201, MLSC 202, MLSC 203 series must be completed before enrolling in the 300- 400-level series. Permission from the department chair is also required.
What are the degree options?
While enrolled in EWU ROTC you earn a degree in any field of study available at the University. A major in Military Science is available but it is not necessary for completion of the ROTC program. While there are certain degrees better suited for specific jobs in the Army, a student chooses their degree. Our staff advises students during this process.
What can I do with my degree?
Army ROTC prepares students to succeed in any career field. The leadership training and experiences students obtain in Army ROTC provides a foundation for excellence even if they only participate in portions of the program.
Upon college graduation and completion of the ROTC program, graduates commission as Second Lieutenants in the Army. They complete Officer branch (career field) training and then report to their first leadership position.
Learn more about the career fields Officers can pursue. Click here to view Branch specialization in the U. S. Army
After their first assignment, Army Officers may pursue specialized training and/or postgraduate education opportunities. They will be assigned to advanced leadership or staff positions in upper management. They may also develop doctrine, teach military tactics or serve as advisors.
Financial Assistance
Each contracted Cadet receives a tax-free stipend allowance of $300–$500 a month for up to ten months a year. There are also cooperative programs with the Army Reserves and Army National Guard that could provide additional funds. Students who join the Army Reserves or Army National Guard and finish Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) also qualify for the Montgomery VA Educational Benefits. The amount of financial assistance available each year changes based on Congressional mandates.
Scholarships
The ROTC program offers two, three, and four-year scholarships for eligible students. Every scholarship provides full tuition or room and board, $1200 annual allowance for books and class fees and a tax-free stipend of $300-$500 a month.
Four-Year National Scholarship Program
Interested students apply during their senior year of high school at goarmy. This process is also open to students enrolled in Running Start. The application deadline for high school seniors is around late winter. Interested applicants DO NOT incur any military obligation by simply applying for a scholarship. Interested students should contact the EWU ROTC Scholarship Officer or call nationwide 1.800.USA.ROTC.
Two and Three Year On-Campus Scholarship Program
This program is open to qualified students already enrolled in ROTC at EWU. Interested students DO NOT incur any military obligation by simply applying for a scholarship. Contact the EWU ROTC Scholarship Officer at 509.359.6110 to apply.
Extracurricular Activities
Cannon Crew: The U.S. Army 75 mm Pack Howitzer is in attendance at all our EWU football home games provided by the Military Science Department where Cadets participate in celebrating each home game score with a thunderous boom of the cannon!
Color Guard: The Eastern Washington University ROTC Color Guard participates in a variety of school and civic functions where precision drill or presentation of the United States Flag is required.
Intramural Sports: The Department of Military Science sponsors teams that participate in basketball, volleyball, softball, and other sports of the EWU Intramural program. Uniforms and equipment are provided by the Department of Military Science.
Ranger Challenge: ROTC Cadets compete annually in a military skills and fitness competition with other schools in the region. This program is designed for those Cadets interested in challenging themselves mentally and physically while learning to operate as a member of a team.
Special Qualification Training: Advanced Course and select Basic Course students may participate in confidence-building schools such as Air Assault, Airborne, Northern Warfare, Mountain Warfare, Cultural Understudies Leadership Program (CULP), and Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT). There are also special internships available for students interested in science, engineering, and medical fields including our Nurse Summer Training Program.
Military Science Courses
MLSC 101. BASIC MILITARY SKILLS I. 1 Credit.
MLSC 101 introduces students to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective military leadership. Students learn how the personal development of life skills such as time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership, Officership, and Army operations. Focus is placed on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of Army Leadership Dimensions while gaining a big picture understanding of the ROTC program.
MLSC 102. BASIC MILITARY SKILLS II. 1 Credit.
MLSC 102 presents an overview of leadership fundamentals such as setting direction, problem-solving, listening, presenting briefs, providing feedback and using effective writing skills. Students explore dimensions of leadership values, attributes, and competencies in the context of practical, hands-on, and interactive exercises. Cadre role models and the building of stronger relationships among the students through common experience and practical interaction are critical aspects of MLSC.
MLSC 103. BASIC MILITARY SKILLS III. 1 Credit.
This course builds on the fundamentals developed in MLSC 101 and MLSC 102. It focuses on learning problem solving and decision making processes. Students continue to be placed in various small group leadership situations that demand decisions to ethical and moral problems. Cadre role models and the building of stronger relationships among the students through common experience and practical interaction are critical aspects of the MLSC 103 experience.
MLSC 104. BASIC MILITARY SKILLS LAB. 1 Credit.
Notes: this course is repeatable.
This lab is focused on basic military skills such as land navigation, first aid, the Army Warrior Task Training tasks (CTT), weapons marksmanship as well as the development of leadership, stressing the practical application of leadership principles, techniques, styles and responsibilities. Students also participate as a member of a team or as a leader of the team given responsibility for accomplishment of given tasks. MS I students operate as members of a team.
MLSC 105. BASIC MILITARY EXPERIENCE I. 4 Credits.
Satisfies: a BACR for social sciences.
This course focuses on achieving a basic understanding of how ROTC and an Army unit operates, what Army leadership entails, and beginning on your path towards developing your physical fitness. All students enrolled in MLSC 105 are required to wear the US Army uniform during weekly lab times and to adhere to the Army's organizational values. Uniforms are issued to the student at no cost and are required to be returned back to the program at the end of the quarter.
MLSC 109. PHYSICAL TRAINING. 1 Credit.
Notes: Students registering for this course will be enrolled and taking the MLSC courses. Satisfies the physical training requirements set by the Army standards for each student contracting.
Pre-requisites: permission of instructor.
Physical Training led by the MLSC faculty for practice in passing the required basic Army Physical Training Standards to complete the ROTC Commissioning Program. Three 60 minute sessions per week.
MLSC 196. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
MLSC 201. BASIC MILITARY TEAM BUILDING I. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
MLSC 201 explores the dimensions of creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles by examining team dynamics and two historical leadership theories that form the basis of the Army leadership framework (trait and behavior theories). Students practice aspects of personal motivation and team building in the context of planning, executing and assessing team exercises. Focus is on continued development of the knowledge of leadership attributes and core leader competencies through an understanding of Army rank, structure, duties and basic aspects of land navigation and squad tactics. Case studies provide tangible context for learning the Soldier’s Creed and Warrior Ethos as they apply in the contemporary operating environment (COE).
MLSC 202. BASIC MILITARY TEAMBUILDING II. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
MLSC 202 examines the challenges of leading tactical teams in the complex contemporary operating environment (COE). The course highlights dimensions of terrain analysis, patrolling and operations orders. Further study of the theoretical basis of the Army Leadership Requirements Model explores the dynamics of adaptive leadership in the context of military operations in a constantly changing world and applies these challenges to practical Army leadership tasks and situations.
MLSC 203. BASIC MILITARY TEAM III. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
MLSC 203 provides a horizontal transition into MLSC 301. Students develop greater self awareness as they assess their own leadership styles and practice communication and team-building skills. COE case studies provide insight into the importance and practice of teamwork and tactics in real-world scenarios.
MLSC 204. BASIC MILITARY TEAM BUILDING LAB. 1 Credit.
Notes: this course is repeatable.
Pre-requisites: concurrently enrolled in MLSC 201 or MLSC 202 or MLSC 203, and department permission required.
This lab focuses on basic military skills such as land navigation, first aid, the Army Warrior Task Training tasks (CTT), weapons marksmanship , the development of leadership, stressing the practical application of leadership principles, techniques, styles and responsibilities. Students participate as a member of a team or leader of the team and are given responsibility for accomplishment of given tasks. MS II students are being prepared to be evaluated as leaders and share in leadership roles.
MLSC 288. BASIC RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP. 1 Credit.
Notes: open to all enrolled EWU students.
Pre-requisites: permission of department and instructor required.
Students taking this course will develop firearm safe handling skills and the knowledge to safely operate at a firearm range. Students will receive expert instruction in the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship.
MLSC 289. RANGER CHALLENGE TRAINING. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: students are required to be enrolled in the ROTC program.
Pre-requisites: permission of instructor is required.
Hands on physical training in team exercises that prepare students to compete in the Regional Ranger Challenge Competition, to showcase what students have learned over the course of their time in ROTC. In fourteen testable areas students will practice and perfect their technique and endurance skills.
MLSC 296. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
MLSC 299. INDIVIDUAL STUDIES. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Topics are mutually agreed upon by students and the instructor
MLSC 301. MILITARY SCIENCE & TACTICS I. 3 Credits.
Notes: Students are required to be enrolled in the ROTC program. The required MLSC 101, MLSC 102, MLSC 103 and MLSC 201, MLSC 202, MLSC 203 series must be completed before enrolling in the 300- 400-level series.
Pre-requisites: permission from the department chair is required.
This course challenges students to study, practice and apply the fundamentals of Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development and small unit tactics at the team and squad levels. Each student, by the end of the course, will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a team or squad in the execution of a tactical in a field environment. In addition, MS III students rotate through a variety of leadership positions in ROTC activities.
MLSC 302. MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS II. 3 Credits.
Notes: Students are required to be enrolled in the ROTC program. The required MLSC 101, MLSC 102, MLSC 103 and MLSC 201, MLSC 202, MLSC 203 series must be completed before enrolling in the 300- 400-level series.
Pre-requisites: permission from the department chair is required.
This course challenges students to continue in the study, practice and application of Army leadership, Officership, Army values and ethics, personal development and small unit tactics at the team and squad level. Each student will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a team or squad in the execution of a tactical in a field environment. MS III students rotate through a variety of leadership positions that support ROTC activities.
MLSC 303. MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS III. 3 Credits.
Notes: Students are required to be enrolled in the ROTC program. The required MLSC 101, MLSC 102, MLSC 103 and MLSC 201, MLSC 202, MLSC 203 series must be completed before enrolling in the 300- 400-level series.
Pre-requisites: permission from the department chair.
This course is the final review of advanced land navigation techniques, communication and small unit tactics in preparation for the thirty day summer Leadership Development and Assessment Course Camp (LDAC)(MLSC 307) at Fort Lewis, Washington. MS III students rotate through a variety of leadership positions that support ROTC activities. The MS III student receives detailed and constructive feedback on their leader attributes and core leader competencies.
MLSC 304. MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS LAB. 2 Credits.
Notes: this course is repeatable.
Pre-requisites: completion of ROTC Basic Course (MLSC 100 and 200 series) or department chair approval required.
An advanced training exercise in the development of leadership, that stresses the practical application of leadership principles, techniques, styles and responsibilities, focusing on planning, resourcing and execution. Students are responsible for the evaluation, counseling and mentoring of 10 to 30 subordinates and team members.
MLSC 307. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT. 8 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
The summer following their junior year, cadets attend the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), a five-week Course at Ft. Lewis, WA. It is designed to evaluate a cadet’s leadership abilities while providing additional leadership and individual skills instruction.
MLSC 396. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
Experimental Course
MLSC 399. INDIVIDUAL STUDIES. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Topics are mutually agreed on by the student and the instructor
MLSC 401. MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP I. 3 Credits.
Notes: required MLSC 301, MLSC 302, MLSC 303 series completed.
Pre-requisites: permission of instructor is required.
This course focuses on development of the Army Officer. It is an academically challenging course were you will develop knowledge, skills and abilities to plan, resource and assess training at the small unit level. They accomplish this through the use of the US Army’s 8 Step Training Model and Unit Training Management techniques. You will also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning and legal responsibilities.
MLSC 402. MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP II. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: MLSC 401 and permission of instructor required.
This course continues instruction on how to train, mentor and evaluate subordinates. MS Cadets function as a Cadet staff officer and apply the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), Army writing style and the Army’s principles of training and training management cycle during weekly training meetings to plan, execute and assess battalion training events.
MLSC 403. MILITARY SCIENCE AND OFFICERSHIP III. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: MLSC 402 and instructor permission is required.
This is the final course a Cadet takes prior to commissioning and graduating. MSL Cadets complete their last quarter as a Cadet staff officer and apply the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), Army writing style and the Army’s principles of training and training management cycle during weekly meetings. Cadets apply the special trust as they transition to Army Officers. Cadets live Army values and ethics and apply them to everyday life.
MLSC 404. MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS IV LAB. 2 Credits.
Notes: this course is repeatable.
Pre-requisites: permission of the department chair.
This course is an advanced training exercise in the development of leadership, stressing the practical application of leadership principles, techniques, styles and responsibilities. It focuses on leadership planning, resourcing and execution. MS IV Cadets plan and execute training exercises for the Basic Course Cadets and assist the cadre in the execution and evaluation of the MS III students.
MLSC 490. MILITARY LEADERSHIP SENIOR CAPSTONE. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: MLSC 307 and senior standing; or permission of instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
This course is designed to integrate and refine the analytical, writing and presentation skills acquired as a MLSC major and Army Officer. It covers case studies and analyses of actual leadership examples from military exercises and engagements. Students prepare and present an original, extensive case study and analysis of military leadership, if possible relating to the student’s actual assignment in the Active or Reserve Component of the Armed Forces.
MLSC 495. PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Provides practical military experience through participation in a work experience program. Requires a detailed written report. The program is mutually agreed upon by students and instructor.
MLSC 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
MLSC 499. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Topics are mutually agreed on by students and the instructor