Military Science

Office: Early House
Telephone: 410‑617‑5179
Email: rotc@loyola.edu
Website: www.loyola.edu/academic/rotc

Chair: LTC Sean Gallagher, Professor

Professor: LTC James G. Riely
Assistant Professors: CPT Stephen Horrigan; CPT Joseph Mucci; CPT Hayden Scardina
Instructors: MSG James Gentile; SFC Kevin McCluskey; SFC Pedro Quinones; SFC Valentin Vildosola

U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

The U.S. Army and Loyola University Maryland sponsor one of only 272 Army ROTC host programs in the nation in order to provide an opportunity for men and women to receive training and instruction that ultimately leads to a commission as a full- or part-time officer in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard. The ROTC military science instruction focuses on leader development, and its curriculum is based on five tracks: values/ethics, personal development, leadership, tactics/techniques, and officership. Students from Goucher College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, and Towson University may also participate in the program through a cross-enrollment agreement with Loyola. Graduate students may participate in the program by applying as special students.

The majority of U.S. Army officers receive their commission through one of the host programs or the United States Military Academy at West Point. A four-year degree is required to be an Army officer and Loyola's ROTC program commissions officers in the rank of second lieutenant who serve full-time on active duty, or part-time in the reserves or national guard, following graduation. The determination to serve full or part-time is decided by the student, and no service obligation is incurred before the student signs a contract with the U.S. Army.

The Army ROTC is more than a college program; it is a tradition. In 1819, Captain Alden Partridge, former superintendent at West Point, started what is known today as Army ROTC. Captain Partridge felt that our country needed more "citizen soldiers," so he established the first private school to offer military instruction. It did not take long for his idea to spread. By the turn of the century, 105 colleges and universities across the country were offering military instruction on their campuses.

The U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps as it is known today dates from the National Defense Act of 1916. World War I prevented the development of a program through which civilian educators and military professionals could work together. Therefore, at the conclusion of WWI, the ROTC program was fully implemented on college campuses. The success of this effort has been demonstrated in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and during the current global threat of terrorism. College campuses provided quality officers to meet the rapidly expanding needs of mobilization.

In 1964, the ROTC Vitalization Act improved the program by adding scholarships and expanding junior ROTC opportunities. Today, the Army ROTC is available to students at more than 270 host schools and 1,000 extension colleges and universities. Loyola's ROTC program was started in 1952 and has commissioned over 1,100 officers. Six have reached the rank of General Officer, and one is currently an astronaut working with NASA.

Basic and Advanced Courses

The ROTC program consists of the Basic Course (MS 101-202) and the Advanced Course (MS 301-402). The Basic Course is normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years and is open to all students. There is no military service obligation for taking classes in the Basic Course (except for scholarship students). The Basic Course focuses on the military basics such as drill and ceremony, squad-level tactics, customs and courtesies, ethics, and values. The Advanced Course is taken during the final two years of college (junior/senior year) or by graduate students in a two year program. It includes a paid, five-week Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), normally attended during the summer between junior and senior years. The Advanced Course teaches cadets about military leadership, higher-level tactics, land navigation, and the operation order, as well as military management and law. The courses also use vignettes from the various global theatres of operation to demonstrate the real world applications of the above principles. Students must have Basic Course credit in order to enter the Advanced Course. Credit can be given for completion of the Basic Course program, graduation from the Basic Training of any military branch, at least three years of JROTC, or attendance at the Leader's Training Course.

The summer Leader's Training Course (LTC) is a four-week course focusing on professional military training. It is a hands-on, action-oriented course that provides students with an opportunity to observe the discipline and challenges of an Army career. Students are evaluated on their physical, academic, and leadership qualities to determine their potential for future service.

The LTC is an alternative to the first two years of ROTC, is usually taken as a sophomore, and requires no military commitment. Graduating seniors may also participate in the course prior to attending graduate school. Those who graduate from the LTC may receive summer internship credit and may be eligible to receive a scholarship, worth full tuition and fees, for their final two years of schooling. The course is conducted annually in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

The summer Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) is a five-week course for selected juniors and seniors who have contracted for a service obligation. The LDAC focuses on leadership development and professional military training. The course is conducted annually in Fort Lewis, Washington.

ROTC Scholarships

The U.S. Army is interested in selecting the best candidates for scholarships, and ultimately, commissioning as the future officer leadership of the U.S. Army. ROTC scholarships cover tuition and fees or room and board, in addition to providing $1,200 each year for books and supplies. Recipients also receive a tax free subsistence allowance each month that classes are attended (up to 10 months/year): $300/freshman year, $350/sophomore year, $450/junior year, and $500/senior year.

ROTC also awards campus-based scholarships for all eligible students. Students must be enrolled in a military science course in order to compete for a campus based scholarship. These scholarships cover the same expenses as the national scholarships. Incoming scholarship recipients from the National High School Scholarship Program and freshmen who receive a campus based scholarship in the fall semester also receive a Loyola University Maryland Army ROTC Scholarship Supplemental Grant. This grant covers full room costs, and it remains in effect each year, provided the cadet retains eligibility for the ROTC scholarship.

Scholarships are awarded competitively and are based solely on merit/performance. Winners are not precluded from holding other scholarships. Scholarship options include the National High School Scholarship Program and campus-based, U.S. Army Reserve, and Maryland Army National Guard awards.

Officer's Career

Graduates have the opportunity to serve either fulltime in the active Army or part-time in the National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve. Upon entering the Army, they will be assigned to a service branch on the basis of education and experience, personal preference, and the needs of the Army. A "branch" is a general field of interest in the Army, such as Aviation, Infantry, Field Artillery, Medical Service, Military Intelligence, Signal Corps, etc. The Army fully trains ROTC graduates in their branches at schools lasting from as few as 16 weeks to a year or more. Students who choose to serve in the Army National Guard or Reserves are guaranteed a job interview during their senior year through the Army PaYS program.

Some of the opportunities for Army officers include leadership, travel, training, advanced education, promotions, competitive pay and benefits with regular raises for longevity, full medical (including family members) and dental coverage, housing, and 30 days paid vacation a year.

Information

For more information, contact the Military Science Department (Early House), 410‑617‑5179 or rotc@loyola.edu.

Activity Modules

Association of United States Army
Color Guard
Ranger Challenge Team
Maryland Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves Simultaneous Membership Program

Courses

Military Science