ROTC Coursework

MSL 99 — Army Physical Training Program (1 unit)

This course aligns with the Army’s current physical fitness training philosophy of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition training. It includes a wide variety of events: unit distance runs and ability groups, circuit training, upper- and lower-body strength drills, swimming, and road marching. The course helps instill the fundamentals of conditioning and exposes students to a variety of conditioning drills that can be incorporated into an individual fitness program for life. Additionally, the course teaches team building and esprit de corps utilizing standard Army training doctrine. This course fulfills APU’s General Education Fitness for Life requirement.

MSL 101 — Introduction to the Army (1 unit)

This course focuses on the introduction to the Army and critical thinking. It introduces cadets to the Army and the profession of arms. Students examine the Army profession and what it means to be a professional in the Army. The overall focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of the Army Leadership Requirements model while gaining a complete understanding of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, its purpose in the Army, and its advantages for the student. Cadets also learn how resiliency and fitness support their development as an Army leader. Includes a weekly lab facilitated by MSL III cadets and supervised by Cadre.

MSL 102 — Foundations of Agile and Adaptive Leadership (1 unit)

This course introduces cadets to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Cadets learn about the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, time management, goal setting, and communication, and learn the basics of the communications process and the importance of leaders developing the essential skills to effectively communicate in the Army. Cadets begin learning the basics of squad level tactics, which are reinforced during a weekly lab facilitated by MSL III cadets and supervised by Cadre. Prerequisite: MSL 101 or permission of instructor.

MSL 201 — Leadership and Decision Making (2 units)

This course focuses on leadership and decision making. Outcomes are demonstrated through critical and creative thinking and the ability to apply troop leading procedures (TLP) innovative solutions to problems. The Army profession is also taught through leadership forums and a leadership self-assessment. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on, performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MSL III cadets and supervised by Cadre. Prerequisite: MSL 102 or permission of instructor

MSL 202 — Army Doctrine and Team Development (2 units)

This course focuses on Army doctrine and team development. Cadets begin the journey to understanding and demonstrating competencies as they relate to Army doctrine; Army values, teamwork, the warrior ethos, and their relationship to the Law of Land Warfare and philosophy of military service are also stressed. The ability to lead and follow is also covered through team-building exercises at the squad level. Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on, performance-oriented environment during a weekly lab facilitated by MSL III cadets and supervised by Cadre. Prerequisite: MSL 201 or permission of instructor

MSL 301 — Training Management and the Warfighting Functions (4 units)

This course focuses on training management and warfighting functions. It is an academically challenging course in which students study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of training management and how the Army operates through the warfighting functions. At the conclusion of this course, students are capable of planning, preparing, and executing training for a squad conducting small-unit tactics. Includes a weekly lab using peer facilitation overseen by MSL IVs and supervised by ROTC Cadre. Prerequisite: MSL 202 or permission of instructor

MSL 302 — Applied Leadership in Small-Unit Operations (4 units)

This course focuses on applied leadership in small-unit operations. It is an academically challenging course in which students study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of direct level leadership and small-unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, students are capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating, and leading a platoon in the execution of a mission. Includes a weekly lab using peer facilitation overseen by MSL IVs and supervised by ROTC Cadre. Successful completion of this course prepare students for the Cadet Summer Training Advance Camp, which they attend in the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Prerequisite: MSL 301 or permission of instructor

MSL — 401 The Army Officer (4 units)

This course focuses on the development of the Army officer. It is an academically challenging course in which students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, resource, and assess training at the small-unit level. Students also learn about Army programs that support counseling subordinates and evaluating performance, values and ethics, career planning, and legal responsibilities. At the conclusion of this course, students are familiar with how to plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess the conduct of training at the company or field grade officer level. Includes a weekly lab overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation, supervised by ROTC Cadre. Prerequisite: MSL 302 or permission of instructor

MSL 402 — Company Grade Leadership (4 units)

This is an academically challenging course in which students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of junior officers pertaining to the Army in unified land operations and company grade officer roles and responsibilities. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small-group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a midterm exam, and an oral practicum as the final exam. The oral practicum explores students’ knowledge of how to prepare for the 20 Army warfighting challenges covered throughout the ROTC advanced course. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing students for the BOLC B course and is a requirement for commissioning. Includes a weekly lab overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation, supervised by ROTC Cadre. Prerequisite: MSL 401 or permission of instructor