Military Science

Entering the Program

Army ROTC is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Boston 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 Basic Camp (BC) 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 Boston University are eligible to compete for 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 nonscholarship) cadets receive a monthly tax-free subsistence allowance.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Recruiting Officer in the Department of Military Science at 617-353-4025 or 617-358-0842 or by visiting 128 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215. Additional information is available online at either goarmy.com/rotc or bu.edu/rotc/army.

ROTC Basic Course:
Military Science and Leadership MSL 101, 102, 201, 202

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, decisionmaking, and group process year (sophomore/MSL II). MSL I lessons provide an overview of the key subjects of precommissioning, 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 decisionmaking, 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.

• OTP MS 101 Foundations of Officership
• OTP MS 102 Basic Leadership
• OTP MS 201 Foundations of Leadership
• OTP MS 202 Leadership and Teamwork

ROTC Advanced Course: MSL 301, 302, 401, 402

The Army ROTC Advanced Course is comprised of four Military Science courses, and the Advanced Camp (AC) 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 MSL 301 and 302 curricula are organized for success at the AC, with essential topics developed to facilitate entry into active military service during the MSL 402 term.

• OTP MS 301 Leadership and Problem-Solving
• OTP MS 302 Leadership and Ethics
• OTP MS 401 Adaptive Leadership
• OTP MS 402 Leadership in a Complex World

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 their 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.

Military History Course Requirement

Per United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Regulations, cadets are required to take a military history course and pass with a grade of B or above in order to commission as an Army Officer from the program. The course should cover American military history from the Colonial Period (1600s) through present-day wars with a focus on the evolution of the United States Army’s structure, strategy, tactics, and weaponry, as well as an emphasis on the interrelationship of the military establishment with American society. When available, students should enroll in OTP MS 501 or OTP MS 502, which are instructed by one of the Army officers assigned to Boston University. However, when the course is not available, cadets can fulfill this commissioning requirement by registering into the following courses, which have been approved by the Professor of Military Science and which are offered at Boston University and taught by Boston University professors:

• CAS HI 284 History of War
• CAS HI 537 World War II
• CAS PO 558 War and Modern Society

Summer Camps

Basic Camp (BC)

Conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky, this five-week training period provides instruction equivalent to that received by US Army ROTC students in the Basic Course. BC is only necessary for those cadets who have not finished all Basic Course requirements. Cadets complete Basic Course requirements by completing four years of JROTC, MSL 101–MSL 202, or United States Army Basic Training. For those without Basic Course credit, satisfactory completion of BC is necessary for those entering the Advanced Course.

Advanced Camp (AC)

Advanced Camp (AC) is a five-week training period at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This camp is mandatory for all cadets in the Advanced Course and is normally attended during the summer between junior and senior years of college. See the department personnel for complete details on camps.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance for US Army ROTC cadets takes various forms. All contracted cadets receive a monthly tax-free subsistence allowance ($420). 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 US 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 and 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 June 1 of the student’s junior year and closes on February 1 of the senior year. After February 1 please contact the BU Army ROTC office for campus-based scholarships. For scholarship updates, please visit bu.edu/rotc/army. Application packets may be obtained at goarmy.com/rotc. Information is also available in the Military Science Department, 128 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215.

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 US Army ROTC Program. Interested students may apply to the Recruiting Operations Officer of Military Science, 128 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215.

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 full 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.