Military Science program
Undergrad minorDevelop the skills to lead in the Army, Reserve or Army National Guard.
If you want to gain skills in leadership, management, problem solving and decision making to serve you as an officer in the military and in any leadership position, UWL's Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) may be right for you. The ROTC program also offers students an opportunity to earn an officer’s commission and to help pay for college.
Students do not incur any military obligation during the first two years of ROTC (except scholarship students). Once a student accepts a scholarship or begins their junior year of ROTC (the "Advanced Course"), they make a commitment to serve as an officer in either the Active Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard upon graduation. The initial active duty obligation is either three or four years.
A Military Science and Leadership minor is available to all students; being a contracted cadet in ROTC is not required.
Joining Eagle Battalion was the best decision I made for myself and my future. Since joining, I have developed myself as a leader, gained confidence in my own abilities, and learned to push myself past any boundary in my way. To top it off, I have met great people and built lifelong friendships.
Emma Fischer
Military science career opportunities
College graduates of the Army ROTC program are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard and serve in leadership positions within their organization. As a graduate of Army ROTC and as a commissioned officer, students will have the leadership and management skills necessary for success in both military and civilian endeavors.
The Army offers outstanding opportunities for promotion and advancement in all career fields. Officers are given ample leadership experience and increasing levels of responsibility. Worldwide assignment opportunities and a continually changing environment are integral to a military career.
Additional opportunities are available to officers selected to attend graduate school. These include training in specialized health fields, as well as general advanced degree programs. Officers who serve on active duty may also be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which offers significant educational benefits. Officers enjoy opportunities for special skill training such as an Army parachutist, or as an Army Ranger.
What is ROTC?
The ROTC program is not an academic major. Instead, ROTC courses — open to all undergraduates — are taken in conjunction with the regular academic subjects required for an undergraduate degree. Joining ROTC is simply a matter of registering for one of the military science classes.
What distinguishes UWL's Military Science program?
Cadets are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities including Color Guard and Ranger Challenge, as well as other typical extra-curricular activities. There are additional U.S. Army training programs open to cadets such as Airborne School, Air Assault School and Cadet Troop Leader Training.
Army ROTC scholarships are merit-based and provide financial assistance to outstanding individuals. Each scholarship pays full tuition, fees and certain other costs. Scholarship students also receive $1,200 annually for purchase of textbooks. Four-year scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students entering college for the first time. Three-year and two-year scholarships are awarded to students already enrolled in college. Applications and deadlines are available at the ROTC scholarship website or at the Military Science Department.
In addition to the scholarship program, all contracted ROTC cadets receive a monthly stipend of $420 during the academic year. Additional benefits (allowances through the Montgomery GI Bill and tuition assistance/ reimbursement) are available to students who are members of the Army Reserve or Army National Guard in addition to ROTC.
The Eagle Battalion is proud to have several future lieutenants cross-enrolled from partnership schools, Viterbo University and Winona State University. Classes are held at Viterbo and Winona in addition to UWL.
Courses and training are conducted on campus, in the La Crosse area, or at military training facilities. ROTC provides students with training in both leadership and management to develop their abilities through practical experience.
Required courses for the military science minor include MS 301, 302, 401, 402, MS 403, EFN 347 and WS 255. Students must also select at least two elective courses from ANT 352, GEO 335, POL 234, and EFN 447. Students must complete Advanced Camp.
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