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Maj. Lloyd Wells
Program Advisor of Army ROTC
Ph:  (540) 464-7818


Main Office Ph:  (540) 464-7351
Fax:  (540) 464-7639

Virginia Military Institute
2020 Kilbourne Hall
Lexington, VA  24450

Contact Army ROTC

Courses

Curriculum is delivered in accordance with applicable service regulation and instruction.

MS 109. FOUNDATIONS OF OFFICERSHIP
1 CREDIT
Orients cadets to information and competencies that are central to a commissioned officer’s responsibilities. Cadets will gain a basic understanding of Army values and culture, officership and leadership skills. Cadets will also learn time management, physical fitness and basic military skills. Cadets have the opportunity to attend one field training exercise, focusing on practical application of basics skills.

MS 110. INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP
1 CREDIT
Continues the lessons of MS 109, with greater emphasis on the principles of ethical leadership. Cadets will continue to learn the basics of leadership in demanding tactical scenarios, and will practice basic military skills such as marksmanship, map reading and first aid. Cadets have the opportunity to attend one field training exercise, focusing on practical application of basic skills and teamwork in collective skills.

MS 209. INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP
1 CREDIT
Building on the first year of MS instruction, this course provided a greater focus on leadership skills. Cadets will learn both leadership theory and practical leadership techniques, with emphasis on planning, organizational and communication skills. Cadets will continue to learn and practice basic military skills such as physical fitness, marksmanship and land navigation. Cadets will learn of specific professional opportunities in the U.S. Army, and will learn the obligations of pursuing a commission. Cadets will have the opportunity to attend one field training exercise, focusing on practical application of military skills.

MS 210. LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK
1 CREDIT
Continues the lessons of MS 209, and prepares cadets for advanced studies in Military Science and Leadership. Greater emphasis is placed on applied leadership and team building. Cadets will continue to develop planning, organizational and communications skills, and will receive exposure to more complex concepts in Army doctrine. Cadets will have opportunities to practice individual leadership and teamwork in small groups during situational training exercises, and will also continue to hone basic military skills. By the end of the semester, cadets will be assessed for contracting in pursuit of an Army commission and competitively screened for attendance at a variety of U.S. Army training programs in the following summer. Cadets will have the opportunity to attend one field training exercise, focusing on individual competence and teamwork in collective skills.

MS 309. LEADERSHIP AND PROBLEM SOLVING
2 CREDITS
This is the first course in the advanced MSL program, specifically designed to prepare cadets for their responsibilities as Army officers. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of leadership and the mastery of effective planning, organizational and communication skills within the framework of Army doctrine. Cadets will examine Army leadership case studies and models in the search for their own effective leadership style. Cadets are required to read selected works on military and organizational leadership throughout the semester and must write short analytical essays. Prerequisite (only for contracted cadets): MS 109, 110 and MS 209, MS 210, or graduation from U.S. Army Cadet Command’s Leader Training Course, or waiver from the Professor of Military Science. Corequisite: MS 319 (for contracted cadets), or LS 350 (for non-contracted cadets).

MS 310. LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS
2 CREDITS
Continues the lessons of MS 309, with greater emphasis on the principles of ethical leadership. Cadets will be exposed to more detailed information regarding the functions of Army commanders and staffs, and will learn about the duties and responsibilities of specific Army occupation branches. Through Army values and codified leadership dimensions, cadets will learn to practice ethical leadership in dealing with external challenges and with their own subordinates. Superior-subordinate relations and practical counseling techniques are integrated into leadership exercises. Cadets are required to read selected works on military organizational leadership throughout the semester and must write short analytical essays. Prerequisite (only for contracted cadets): MS 309, or waiver from the Professor of Military Science. Corequisite: MS 320, or waiver from the Professor of Military Science. Corequisite: MS 320 (for contracted cadets), or LS 351 (for non-contracted cadets).

MS 319/320. MS LAB
0 CREDITS
The MS Lab focuses on the practical application of the subjects taught in the classroom during MS 309-310. Cadets will meet rigorous leadership challenges, reinforced by consistent instructor evaluation and mentorship. Leadership exercises will include tactical scenarios as well as the development and delivery of small group instruction for other cadets. This extensive training program also includes physical fitness, marksmanship, land navigation, drill and ceremonies, mission planning and written and oral communication skills. Cadets are required to participate in one field training exercise each semester, in which they will practice both leadership and teamwork and demonstrate their tactical and technical proficiency. These laboratory courses are companions to the MS 309 and 310 classes, and all contracted cadets must take the appropriate lab section simultaneously with those classes each semester (non-contracted cadets who do not seek a commission will enroll in LS 350/351).

MS 409. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
2 CREDITS
This course begins the cadet’s transition to commissioned officer. Cadets will receive information that enables them to make sound career decisions as they prepare for accession. The training emphasis moves from the individual and squad level to the platoon level. Cadets will gain specific knowledge and skills that they will need as professional officers, including training and maintenance management, subordinate counseling and development, Army staff operation and Military Justice. Prerequisite (only for contracted cadets): MS 309-310, or waiver from the Professor of Military Science. Corequisite: MS 419 (for contracted cadets), LS 450 (for non-contracted cadets) or MS 319 (LDAC bound, commission seeking cadets).

MS 410. OFFICERSHIP
2 CREDITS
This course continues the lessons of MS 409 and completes the transition from cadet to commissioned officer. Cadets will continue to learn the specific management skills they will need as professional officers. Special emphasis is give to “life skills” that cadets will need as young lieutenants, such as personal financial management, moving, housing and orientation to Army pay and benefits. Cadets will also become familiar with current Army operations worldwide. Prerequisite (only for contracted cadets): MS 409, or waiver from the Professor of Military Science. Corequisite: MS 420 (for contracted cadets), LS 451 (for non-contracted cadets) or MS 320 (LDAC bound, commission seeking cadets).

MS 419/420. ADVANCED MS LAB
0 CREDITS
The Advanced MS Lab focuses on the practical application of the subjects taught in the classroom during MS 409/410. Emphasis is on the practical knowledge and skills that cadets will need as commissioned officers and Army platoon leaders. Cadets will practice training management and subordinate development through regular interaction with underclass MS cadets. They will have numerous opportunities to exercise collective leadership reinforced by consistent instructor mentorship. Through collective training, they will also maintain their basic military skills throughout the year. Cadets are required to participate in one field training exercise each semester, in which they will play an active role in planning and conducting training for all MS cadets. These laboratory courses are companions to the MS 409 and 410 classes, and all contracted cadets must take the appropriate lab section simultaneously with those classes each semester (non-contracted cadets who do not seek a commission will enroll in LS 450/451).

MS 429. LEADERSHIP AND PROBLEM SOLVING
2 CREDITS
This is the first course in the advanced MSL program, specifically designed to prepare cadets for their first responsibilities as Army officers. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of leadership and the mastery of effective planning, organizational and communication skills within the framework of Army doctrine. Cadets will examine Army leadership case studies and models in the search for their own effective leadership style. Cadets are required to read selected works on military and organizational leadership throughout the semester and must write short analytical essays. Prerequisite: only for contracted first class cadets.

MS 430. LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS
2 CREDITS
Continues the lessons of MS 429, with greater emphasis on the principles of ethical leadership. Cadets will be exposed to more detailed information regarding the functions of Army commanders and staffs, and will learn about the duties and responsibilities of specific Army occupation branches. Through Army values and codified leadership dimensions, cadets will learn to practice ethical leadership in dealing with external challenges and with their own subordinates. Superior-subordinate relations and practical counseling techniques are integrated into leadership exercises. Cadets are required to read selected works on military organizational leadership throughout the semester and must write short analytical essays. Prerequisite: only for contracted first class cadets.

MS 439/440. MS LAB
0 CREDITS
The MS Lab focuses on the practical application of the subjects taught in the classroom during MS 429-430. Cadets will meet rigorous leadership challenges, reinforced by consistent instructor evaluation and mentorship. Leadership exercises will include tactical scenarios as well as the development and delivery of small group instruction for other cadets. This extensive training program also includes physical fitness, land navigation, drill and ceremonies, mission planning and written and oral communication skills. Cadets are required to participate in one field training exercise each semester, in which they will practice both leadership and teamwork and demonstrate their tactical and technical proficiency. These laboratory courses are companions to the MS 429 and 430 classes, and all contracted cadets must take the appropriate lab section simultaneously with those classes each semester.