General Information:
The College of the Ozarks Military Science Program is designed to provide students with basic leadership principles. Students including Military Science courses in their curriculum are preparing themselves not only for a civilian career, but also creating an opportunity to serve as leaders in their communities and the Army National Guard (ARNG). The leadership skills, self-discipline, and sense of responsibility developed will enhance any career field. The Missouri Army National Guard (MOARNG) Bobcat GOLD program is a pre-commissioning program similar to ROTC. Students who successfully complete the GOLD program are commissioned as Army officers in the MOARNG upon graduation from C of O. The GOLD program is divided into two elective sections, Basic and Advanced.
Basic Program:
Students enrolled in Basic Program courses incur no military service obligation. Participants receive valuable information to help them determine if they have a calling to be an Army Officer. The primary objective of the Basic Program is to provide college students with an understanding of the United States Army. Bobcat GOLD Basic Program courses also provide students with training and preparation in leadership, management and confidence-building skills valuable in any career field. All non-U.S. citizens must have instructor permission before enrolling in any Military Science course with the exception of MIL 141 and MIL 233 , which are open to all students.
Advanced Program:
Advanced Program courses are restricted to contracted candidates meeting department criteria and who commit to commission as an Army officer upon graduation, incurring a military service obligation. The primary objective of the Advanced Program is to prepare qualified college students for military service as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army National Guard. Students meeting department criteria become eligible for Advanced Program courses by enlisting in the MOARNG and successfully completing Initial Entry Training (IET). Students accepted and contracted as candidates must participate in a regularly scheduled physical fitness program. Upon completion of the Advanced Program courses, Accelerated Officer Candidate School (OCS) and a bachelor’s degree, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Missouri Army National Guard. Officers produced through the Bobcat GOLD program who desire to apply for a release to Active Duty or interstate transfer, may do so after successful completion of their initial, branch specific officer training - Basic Officer Leadership Course B (BOLC B).
Initial Entry Training (IET):
Students who are not current or former members of the Army (Reserve or Active components) qualify for contracting into the Bobcat GOLD Advanced Program by enlisting into the MOARNG and attending IET, also known as Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Contracted Officer Candidates will be placed in a part-time status at the College while attending IET and will receive credit hours upon successful completion of training and return to College. Students who attend IET receive military compensation for all travel and meals, with pay commensurate with their rank at time of attendance.
Simultaneous Membership in the MOARNG:
The Bobcat GOLD Program allows contracted candidates to be members of the Army National Guard and full-time student/officer candidates at the same time. Under this program, candidates hold the rank of Officer Candidate and are paid at the rate commensurate with their enlisted pay grade. While conducting training with their units, candidates serve as officer trainees under the watchful eye of a commissioned officer in the unit.
Advanced Training:
Contracted candidates in the Bobcat GOLD program are eligible to attend military specialty training (Airborne, Air Assault, etc.) based upon scheduling and availability. Additionally, all contracted candidates attend the National Guard Accelerated Officer Candidate School (AOCS) during the summer between their junior and senior years. Accelerated AOCS is a challenging and physically demanding eight-week course which serves as the capstone training event for Bobcat GOLD candidates. Candidates who hold enlisted grade E-4 or below are advanced to the E-5 pay grade (approximately $2,700/month) while attending AOCS.
MOARNG Incentives:
Students completing IET and advanced individual training (AIT) are also eligible for State and Federal Tuition Assistance as well as the Army GI Bill which pays $329 per month while enrolled as a full-time college student. As a candidate in the Bobcat GOLD program students are eligible to receive incentives under the GI Bill Kicker program. These incentives are based upon enlistment/re-enlistment criteria and can range from $200-$350 per month.
College of the Ozarks Patriotic Scholarships:
Students who contract into Bobcat GOLD program receive the College of the Ozarks Patriotic Scholarship. The Patriotic Scholarship is a full room and board scholarship for resident officer candidates. Commuter students receive a pro-rated meal plan as part of their scholarship.
Uniforms and Texts:
Uniforms and accessories are provided when required.
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