Reserve Officer Training Corps
For more than a century, military training has been offered at Oregon State University. Fulfilling a provision of the Morrill Act of 1862, which gave Corvallis College its first public support, an Army Cadet Corps was organized in 1873.
ROTC at Oregon State is made up of the departments of Military Science, Naval Science, and Aerospace Studies. In 1917, the Department of Military Science became responsible for all military training under the National Defense Act of 1916. This act expanded and standardized the training of Army officers by colleges and universities and established the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). During World War II, OSU became known as the “West Point of the West” for commissioning more officers than any other nonmilitary academy in the nation. At the end of World War II, the secretary of the Navy commissioned the Department of Naval Science (NROTC) on this campus to provide the training of both Navy and Marine Corps officers. On July 1, 1949, the U.S. Air Force activated an AFROTC unit that today is called the Department of Aerospace Studies. OSU is now one of 48 colleges and universities that offer education for all three military departments.
Originally, two years of military science and tactics were required of all able-bodied male students, but since 1962, ROTC has been voluntary. Since 1965, two-year programs have been available for students who have finished two years of college but have not taken ROTC previously.
As opportunities for women to serve as officers in the armed forces grow, opportunities for women to participate in ROTC programs expand. Women have long been eligible to take ROTC course work for credit. Since 1970, they have been enrolled as cadets in Air Force ROTC and, since 1973, have also been enrolled as cadets and midshipmen in the Army and Navy ROTC programs.
Mission and Objectives
The ROTC selects and prepares young men and women, through a program of instruction coordinated with the student's normal academic curriculum, for commissioning and service as officers in the regular and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Uniforms and Allowances
Students in each of the units receive uniforms to be worn at drill periods and on special occasions. Travel to and from any summer camps or cruises is paid. While at camp or on a cruise, the members receive food and quarters at government expense in addition to basic pay. (See the individual sections for further information on the various camps and cruises.) Those selected for the scholarship programs receive tuition, books, and fees plus $250 to $500 a month subsistence pay for up to 40 months.
Flight Training
Eligible Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC students may be selected for flight training upon their successful completion of the program and commissioning.
How to Enroll
See the Army, Navy, or Air Force sections of this catalog for enrollment details for the various ROTC programs. All three departments have staff available throughout the year during normal school hours to answer any inquiries regarding the ROTC programs.
Aerospace Studies (AS)
AS 111, FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE PART I, 1 Credit
The introduction to the Air Force mission and organization. Featured topics include Air Force dress and appearance stand standards; military customs and courtesies, Air Force heritage, overview of the Department of the Air Force, and Air Force core values. Basic oral and written communication will be assessed.
AS 112, FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE PART II, 1 Credit
Second part of the introduction to the Air Force mission and organization. Featured topics include Air Force career opportunities, Air Force benefits, military communication skills, Air Force installations, and look at the basic characteristics of war. Basic oral and written communication will be assessed.
AS 113, FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE PART III, 1 Credit
Third part of the introduction of what the Air Force is about and what the Air Force has to offer. Featured topics include basic leadership, team building, interpersonal skills, diversity in the Air Force, and the oath of office and commissioning. Basic oral and written communication will be assessed.
AS 120, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit
Cadets learn officership, leadership, drill and ceremony, and customs and courtesies. Lab.
This course is repeatable for 3 credits.
AS 211, THE EVOLUTION OF AIR AND SPACE POWER 1860-1945, 1 Credit
Study of the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine from its beginnings to the end of World War II. Historical examples examined include balloons, dirigibles, Wright Brother's first flight, and the role of air power in World War I and II. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 212, THE EVOLUTION OF AIR AND SPACE POWER 1945-1990, 1 Credit
Study of the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine during the Cold War. Historical examples examined include the Berlin Airlift, nuclear deterrence, and the role of air power employment in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 213, THE EVOLUTION OF AIR AND SPACE POWER 1991-2025, 1 Credit
Study of the factors contributing to the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine from the Persian Gulf War in 1990 to the present and beyond. Historical examples examined include the air campaigns used in the Gulf War, Kosovo crisis, Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 220, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit
Cadets are placed in element leadership positions in order to know and comprehend the Air Force concepts of command, discipline, tradition, and courtesies.
This course is repeatable for 10 credits.
AS 299, SPECIAL TOPICS IN AIR FORCE STUDIES, 1-16 Credits
Supervised individual work.
This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
AS 311, LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS, TEAM BUILDING AND PROBLEM SOLVING, 3 Credits
Emphasis on leadership and management fundamentals, team building and problem solving. Case studies are used to examine leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. Unique exercises will be utilized to emphasize team building and problem solving. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 312, EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION AND GROUP CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, 3 Credits
Emphasis on situational leadership, group conflict management, effective supervision, professional knowledge, and communicative skills required of an Air Force officer. Unique case studies on leadership and management situations, and group conflict management will be utilized. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 313, LEADERSHIP, ETHICS, AIR FORCE CORE VALUES AND ACCOUNTABILITY, 3 Credits
Emphasis on leadership ethics, leadership core values, leadership accountability, and professional knowledge. Unique case studies on leadership ethics and accountability will be utilized. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 320, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit
Cadets are placed in line and staff leadership positions as a preparation for Air Force active duty. Cadet responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the activities of the cadet corps.
This course is repeatable for 3 credits.
AS 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
Supervised individual work.
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
AS 411, NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS, 3 Credits
Emphasis on the needs for national security, evolution of American defense strategy, policy, and organization. Examination of methods for managing conflict, alliances and regional security to preserve American interests. Arms control, terrorism, and current military issues will also be addressed. Refinement of oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 412, WORLD REGIONAL CULTURAL STUDIES, 3 Credits
Study key transnational issues and religious or ethnic factors that shape the environment Air Force professionals must operate in. Emphasis will be on national security perspective of Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and former Soviet Republics in transition. Refinement of oral and written communication skills will be assessed.
AS 413, PREPARATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY, 3 Credits
Emphasis on current military issues, evaluation systems, military commission, and risk management. Final preparation for the Air Force professional before commissioning. Refinement of oral and written communication skills will be emphasized.
AS 420, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit
The senior-level Leadership Laboratory program places cadets in command, line, and staff positions as a preparation for commissioned Air Force service. Cadet responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling leadership laboratory and the activities of the cadet corps.
This course is repeatable for 6 credits.
Military Science (MS)
MS 111, MILITARY SCIENCE I: INTRODUCTION TO ARMY LEADERSHIP AND ROTC, 1 Credit
Introduction to ROTC, and its relationship to the U.S. Army. Role of the army officer, including leadership and management fundamentals. Introduction to land navigation. Lec/lab.
MS 112, MILITARY SCIENCE I: INTRODUCTION TO BASIC MILITARY SKILLS, 1 Credit
Basic small unit tactics; land navigation; how to read a topographic map and use a magnetic compass; includes practical exercises.
MS 113, MILITARY SCIENCE I: INTRODUCTION TO TACTICAL LEADERSHIP, 1 Credit
Customs and traditions of the U.S. Army; unit organization and missions. Types of careers available to army officers. Practical exercises. Lec/lab.
MS 130, *MILITARY PHYSICAL CONDITIONING, 1 Credit
Prepares military science cadets and university students to excel in the Army Physical Fitness Test (AFPT). (Bacc Core Course)
Attributes: CSFT – Bacc Core, Skills, Fitness
This course is repeatable for 11 credits.
MS 211, MILITARY SCIENCE II: FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP I, 2 Credits
An examination of effective leadership. Development of interpersonal skills using practical exercises and case studies.
MS 212, MILITARY SCIENCE II: FUNDAMENTALS OF LEADERSHIP II, 2 Credits
History of the American soldier from 1775 to 1919; weaponry and tactics of the American Army. Use of battle analysis and war gaming included.
MS 213, MILITARY SCIENCE II: FUNDAMENTALS OF MILITARY OPERATIONS, 2 Credits
Basic U.S. Army tactics at the individual, team, and squad levels. Integration of military skills in offensive and defensive operations.
MS 214, MILITARY SCIENCE: LEADER'S TRAINING COURSE (LTC), 6 Credits
Four weeks of classroom and field training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Can substitute for the first two years of the ROTC program.
MS 311, MILITARY SCIENCE III: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF MILITARY ORGANIZATION, 3 Credits
Study of military leadership, management, theory and dynamics of the military team. Applies principles to advanced military operations. Includes leadership, management, and organizational theory; group dynamics; functions of staff organizations; development of the commander's estimate; combat orders and plans; troop leading procedures; application of leadership concepts in offensive and defensive operations at the squad, platoon, and company level; and fundamentals of small-unit tactics/patrolling.
MS 312, MILITARY SCIENCE III: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS, 3 Credits
Study of military leadership, management, theory and dynamics of the military team. Applies principles to advanced military operations. Includes leadership, management, and organizational theory; group dynamics; functions of staff organizations; development of the commander's estimate; combat orders and plans; troop leading procedures; application of leadership concepts in offensive and defensive operations at the squad, platoon, and company level; and fundamentals of small-unit tactics/patrolling.
MS 313, MILITARY SCIENCE III: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS, 3 Credits
Study of military leadership, management, theory and dynamics of the military team. Applies principles to advanced military operations. Includes leadership, management, and organizational theory; group dynamics; functions of staff organizations; development of the commander's estimate; combat orders and plans; troop leading procedures; application of leadership concepts in offensive and defensive operations at the squad, platoon, and company level; and fundamentals of small-unit tactics/patrolling.
MS 314, MILITARY SCIENCE: LEADER DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT COURSE, 6 Credits
Practical and theoretical instruction and training in soldier skills for four weeks. Practical leadership application and experience in a military environment.
Prerequisite: MS 311 with D- or better and MS 312 [D-] and MS 313 [D-]
MS 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
MS 411, MILITARY SCIENCE IV: ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP, 3 Credits
Train, mentor and evaluate underclass cadets. Learn duties and responsibilities of Army staff office and apply processes. Execute and assess battalion training events. Understand and employ risk management process and use soldier fitness program to reduce and manage stress.
MS 412, MILITARY SCIENCE IV: PREPARATION FOR OFFICERSHIP, 3 Credits
Recent military history, national defense policy and its application in current world events. Includes military law; law of land warfare; small-unit administration; and ethics and professionalism with emphasis on applied leadership, management techniques, and ethical decision making. Designed to assist the future army officer with the transition from student to junior officer leader.
MS 413, MILITARY SCIENCE IV: PREPARATION FOR OFFICERSHIP, 3 Credits
Recent military history, national defense policy and its application in current world events. Includes military law; law of land warfare; small-unit administration; and ethics and professionalism with emphasis on applied leadership, management techniques, and ethical decision making. Designed to assist the future army officer with the transition from student to junior officer leader.
Naval Science (NS)
NS 002, LEADERSHIP, 0 Credits
Provides students with basic personal and interpersonal leadership skills that can be used within and outside of a work setting. Through practice, the leadership experience help students explore motivation, decision-making, time management, power, team building, conflict, ethics, dealing with change, communication skills, and diversity issues.
NS 111, INTRO TO NAVAL SCIENCE, 3 Credits
Emphasizes the mission, organization, regulations and warfare components of the Navy and Marine Corps. Includes a discussion of the responsibilities and commitments of an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps; an overview of enlisted rank and rating structures; and a synopsis of officer designators and the training, education, ranks, promotion and career paths for each. Introduces the basic tenets of naval customs, discipline, and naval leadership, as well as ship’s nomenclature, organization, basic damage control, and basic military equipment identification.
NS 112, U.S. NAVAL HISTORY I, 3 Credits
Surveys the evolution of sea power, with an emphasis on the development of the United States as a world class sea power. Covers the period from the American Revolution up through World War I. Examines sea power via the following eight themes: foreign policy, leadership, Congress, inter-service relationships, coalitions, technology, tactics, and strategy. Creates an understanding of the historical impact of these themes on maritime warfare and has direct application to present day and future maritime warfare.
NS 113, U.S. NAVAL HISTORY II, 3 Credits
Surveys the evolution of sea power, with an emphasis on the development of the United States as a world class sea power. Covers the period from World War I to the present. Examines sea power via the following eight themes: foreign policy, leadership, Congress, inter-service relationships, coalitions, technology, tactics, and strategy. Creates an understanding of the historical impact of these themes on maritime warfare has direct application to present day and future maritime warfare.
Prerequisite: NS 112 with D- or better
NS 211, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, 5 Credits
Explore the principles, philosophies, and methodologies of effective Naval leadership with emphasis on moral, ethical actions with respect to the principles of authority, responsibility, and accountability as they apply to military organizations.
NS 212, NAVAL ENGINEERING, 5 Credits
Explore how concepts in physics are applied to the design of naval vessels and aircraft. Prepare students for their future role as division officers by examining topics such as maintenance, engineering documentation, and ethical issues.
Prerequisite: NS 111 with D- or better
NS 311, NAVIGATION, 5 Credits
Explore the geographic qualities of space and time within the maritime domain through an introductory treatment of navigation. Piloting, dead reckoning, voyage planning, rules of the road, external communications, case studies and relative motion problems provide a fundamental background for interpreting maritime law, management of forces, spatial and motion relationships, and handling uncertainty.
Recommended: Critical thinking, organization, and reasoning skills
NS 313, NAVAL OPERATIONS AND SEAMANSHIP, 3 Credits
Illustrates the theory of shiphandling, interpret communications, explain shipboard evolutions, and classify heavy weather. Includes case study discussions and comparisons of naval operations.
Prerequisite: NS 311 with D- or better
NS 321, EVOLUTION OF WARFARE, 5 Credits
Examines how warfare philosophies, domains, tactics and technology have either endured or changed. Affirms the fundamental human dimension of warfare, exploring the moral forces at play within warrior cultures. Through the study of history, seeks to illuminate the timeless lessons of warfare. Utilizes case study, lecture, and war gaming in order to set conditions for doctrinal training and professional refinement in subsequent training. Equips students with a strong mental foundation for leading in future conflicts.
Recommended: Critical thinking, problem-solving, and writing skills
NS 323, NAVAL SCIENCE III: MARINE CORPS OPTION, 3 Credits
Explores a fundamental understanding of the basic military skills required for completion of the commissioning course at Officer Candidate School (OCS). Examines USMC history, mission and organization, map reading, land navigation, small unit leadership and tactics, 5-paragraph order, and M16 familiarization, in order to face the environment expected during OCS.
Prerequisite: NS 321 with D- or better
NS 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
To prepare midshipmen returning from a leave of absence from the Naval ROTC program for commissioning and entrance into the fleet.
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NS 411, NAVAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS, 5 Credits
Explores the theory and development of U.S. Naval weapons systems, current weapons systems types, platforms, and employment. Reviews naval weapons systems types, launch platforms, characteristics and employment.
Prerequisite: NS 111 with D- or better
NS 413, LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS, 4 Credits
Provides the academic foundation for NROTC leadership development. Provides future naval leaders with a sound moral leadership foundation for “real life” military decision making. Integrates an intellectual exploration of Western moral traditions and ethical philosophy with military leadership, core values, professional ethics, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and Navy regulations. Combining ethical theory and leadership discussions with current military events prepares students for the role and responsibilities of leadership in the naval service.
Prerequisite: NS 211 with C- or better
NS 421, FUNDAMENTALS OF MANEUVER WARFARE, 5 Credits
Provides a detailed look at broad aspects of warfare and their interactions with maneuver warfare doctrine, with a focus on the United States Marine Corps. Discusses a strong focus on leadership, as the fundamental purpose of this course is to develop the skills, knowledge, leadership background, and mindset necessary for a successful Marine Corps Officer.
Prerequisite: NS 321 with D- or better