Military Science

Military Science (MILS)

Director: LTC Robert Oreskovic

Assistant Directors: CPT Christopher T. Griffiths, CPT Stephen Johnson

Instructor: MSG James Durham

Technicians: Barbara Carl, Richard Everetts

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), or Military Science education is a four-year program designed to prepare college students for Army service as commissioned officers in the active Army, or part-time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. The program is available to qualified Bucknell University, Bloomsburg University, Susquehanna University, Penn College of Technology, and Lycoming College students.

Scholarship first-year students and non-scholarship first- and second-year students may enroll on a trial basis with no commitment to the military. Students may leave the program or continue with advanced courses to earn a commission as an officer upon graduation.

Although the program is designed to start with new first-year students each fall, it is possible to enter the program as late as fall of the junior year. Students with prior military service or those who complete a 28-day summer training camp may bypass the first-year and sophomore level training.

Various types and lengths of scholarships are available, some of which guarantee duty in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Scholarship Cadets receive: FULL tuition, a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month, and a book allowance of $900 a year. Bucknell University pays room and board for their Scholarship Cadets who are living on campus.

Non-scholarship Cadets receive a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month.

Non-scholarship and some types of scholarship cadets also may become part of Army Reserve or Army National Guard units while in ROTC to receive additional benefits.

Program requirements include a 33-day summer training course between the junior and senior years. Opportunities exist for other specialized summer training such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, Internships with Active Duty Army units, or Internships with Federal government agencies.

The time commitment for first- and second-year Cadets during the school year is approximately five hours a week. For third- and fourth-year Cadets the time commitment is approximately 10 hours a week. Time is spent on weekly classes, physical training, monthly leadership labs, and a once-a-semester field training exercise.

Courses in Military Science do not carry credit toward the academic courses required for a degree. However, in the College of Engineering, credit for one elective course may be granted upon request for satisfactory completion of the advanced course.

For more information, contact the ROTC department at 570-577-1013.

101. Foundation of Officership (I; 2, 1)
Acquaints student with ROTC program. Increases self-confidence through team study. Learn fundamental concepts of professional leadership in both classroom and outdoor laboratory environments.

102. Basic Leadership (II; 2, 1)
Learn/apply principles of effective leading. Develop communication skills to improve individual performance and group interaction. Relate organizational ethical values to the effectiveness of a leader.

201. Individual Leadership Studies (I; 2, 1)
Learn/apply ethics-based leadership skills. Develop skills in oral presentation, writing concisely, planning of events and coordination of group efforts. Learn fundamentals of ROTC’s Leadership Development Program.

202. Leadership and Teamwork (II; 2, 1)
Focuses on leading a small group of individuals. Examines the role of the leader, military leadership concept, personal character, decision making, implementing decisions, motivation, supervision, and training.

301. Adaptive Team Leadership (I; 3, 1)
Series of practical opportunities to lead groups, receive personal assessments and lead again in situations of increasing complexity. Plan and conduct training for younger students to teach and develop leadership skills.

302. Leadership Under Fire (II; 3, 1)
Analyze tasks; prepare written or oral guidance for students to accomplish tasks. Delegate tasks and supervise. Plan for and adapt to the unexpected in organizations under stress.

401. Developing Adaptive Leaders (I; 3, 1)
Plan, conduct and evaluate activities of the ROTC cadet organization. Articulate goals, put plans into action to attain them. Develop confidence in skills to lead people and manage resources.

402. Leadership in a Complex World (II; 3, 1)
Continues the methodology from MILS 401. Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas. Refine counseling and motivating techniques. Prepare for a future as a successful Army lieutenant.

*The students who enroll in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) are governed by the policies promulgated by the Department of Defense, which policies regarding sexual orientation are in contravention of Bucknell University’s nondiscrimination policy.