Military Science Program

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 part-time or full-time military careers with the Army. The leadership skills, self-discipline, and sense of responsibility developed will enhance any career field. ROTC is divided into two elective programs, Basic and Advanced.

Basic Program:

Students who enroll in Basic Program courses incur no military service obligation but receive leadership, management and confidence-building instruction that will be of great value in any career field. The primary objective of the Basic Program is to provide college students with an understanding of the United States Army and Army ROTC. Students who complete three Basic Program courses and meet Department of the Army criteria qualify for Advanced Program enrollment. All non-U.S. citizens must have permission before enrolling in any Military Science course.

Advanced Program:

Advanced Program courses are restricted to students meeting departmental criteria and who will, upon graduation, accept a commission as an Army officer with 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, the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve. Students meeting departmental criteria become eligible for Advanced Program courses by:

1. successfully completing three basic courses (MIL 122 , MIL 132 , MIL 202 , MIL 212 ).
2. having prior military service, either active or reserve component.
3. successfully completing Leader’s Training Course (MIL 235 ).

Students accepted as cadets in the Advanced Program receive a monthly stipend of up to $500 (tax free) for ten months of both their junior and senior year. Additionally they become eligible for the College’s Patriotic Scholarship. They also attend a four-week summer camp (MIL 325 ), normally between their junior and senior year. While attending, cadets receive a salary equal to one-half a lieutenant’s base pay, and have meals and housing provided by the Army. All Advanced Program students and ROTC Scholarship students must participate in a regularly scheduled physical fitness program. Upon completion of the Advanced Program courses, Leader Development and Assessment Course and a bachelor’s degree, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. These officers may elect to complete their military service either full-time in the U.S. Army or part-time in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP):

The Simultaneous Membership Program allows contracted Army ROTC Advanced Program cadets to be members of the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve, and ROTC cadets at the same time. Under the SMP, cadets hold the grade of Sergeant (E-5) in their guard or reserve unit and serve as officer trainees under the watchful eye of a commissioned officer in the unit. As an E-5, they receive approximately $266 per month for attending drills. Additionally, as a contracted ROTC cadet, they receive $350-500 per month tax-free subsistence allowance. Students completing basic and advanced individual training are also eligible for the Army GI Bill which pays $329 per month while enrolled as a full-time college student. A contracted Advanced Program SMP cadet can receive up to $1,095 per month while attending college (in addition to Patriotic Scholarship benefits).

U.S. Army ROTC Scholarships:

Two-year and three-year ROTC Scholarships are awarded each year to full-time college students on a best-qualified basis; students need not be enrolled in Military Science classes to compete. These scholarships provide full tuition, pay lab fees, educational fees and book costs, plus a stipend for ten months of each scholarship-funded school year. Students who receive an Army ROTC Scholarship are not eligible for entry into the Simultaneous Membership Program but do incur a military service obligation upon graduation. Students can also apply for the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship which assures part-time service upon commissioning.

College of the Ozarks Patriotic Scholarships:

College of the Ozarks Patriotic Scholarships: Patriotic Scholarships covering full room and board are provided on a competitive basis to students who contract with the Army through the College’s ROTC program. 

Leader’s Training Course:

Students who have never taken a Military Science class, nor had any previous military training, can still qualify for entry into the Advanced Program by attending the Leader’s Training Course during the summer. Students who elect to attend receive compensation for travel and meals, with pay equal to one-half a lieutenant’s base pay for the four weeks. While at camp, students can compete for two-year Army ROTC Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on college academic record and leadership potential. And as a special incentive, graduates are also eligible for the Patriotic Scholarship, and receive five credit hours (See MIL 235 ).

Nurse Cadet Program:

Students considering an undergraduate nursing degree might be eligible to enroll in Army ROTC to enhance leadership skills and critical-thinking abilities, while receiving financial support to help make professional goals a reality. Army Nurses have opportunities to train and serve in a variety of specialties; and autonomy to practice nursing in a way unmatched by civilian health care facilities. As an Army Nurse, professional judgment will be the driving force behind leading a military nursing team to provide full spectrum patient care. The leadership experience and management training will benefit either a military or private-sector nursing career.

Nursing students who are also Army ROTC Cadets have an opportunity for a unique summer nursing experience. Army ROTC’s Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) provides significant training opportunities with the Army Nursing career field. The paid, three-week Nurse Summer Training Program assigns Cadets to Army hospitals throughout the U.S. and Germany, and introduces them to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) as well as the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer. Under the supervision of a preceptor (an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer), those attending NSTP will obtain significant hands-on experience. One-on-one clinical experience will allow them to hone patient skills, develop problem-solving techniques, and become comfortable with developing professional skills as a member of the U.S. Army Healthcare Team. While coordinating and communicating patient care, those attending will be in a clear position to succeed.

Prospective Nursing Cadets must be admitted into the College of the Ozarks Nursing Program and concurrently qualify for enrollment in the ROTC Advanced Program. Depending on level of immersion, the entire program can be completed in four or five years.

Veterans:

Veterans with an honorable discharge from any branch of the Armed Forces, active or reserve, may be eligible for enrollment in the Advanced Program to complete the ROTC program in just two years. Veterans who elect this option do not lose any of their GI Bill entitlements and still receive the monthly stipend and Patriotic Scholarship. Veterans not receiving an ROTC Scholarship may participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program.

Uniforms and Texts:

Uniforms and accessories are provided when required.