Military Science program

Develop 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, or to prepare you for workplace leadership positions after graduation, 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.

Undergrad minor

A program within the Department of Military Science (ROTC)

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.

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

Pre-college tips

Get prepared

How to study effectively Learn 11 essential study skills to retain information, stay focused and understand more

Coping skills for stress Counselors share a list of 10 coping strategies for stressful situations

How to apply for college scholarships A collection of the best tips on how to get a scholarship

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 distinguishes UWL's Military Science program?

Gain hands-on experience

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. Our program is unique in that we host the annual Northern Warfare Challenge, where 50 teams from across the country, compete in US Army winter survival skills, and a 17 mile race through the bluffs of La Crosse in the cold and snow during the month of February. This is a unique opportunity for Cadets to compete and execute an event that highlights our Cadets, universities, and La Crosse community.

Earn scholarships to pay for college

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.

Get paid while going to school

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.

Partnership program

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.

Practical experience outside of the classroom

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.

Minor available

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.

Sample courses

MS 301 Training Management and the Warfighting Functions This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a squad and platoon in the execution of a mission during a classroom PE, a leadership lab, or during a Leader Training Exercise (LTX). You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills that can further develop you into a successful officer. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies and practical exercises, a midterm exam, and a final exam. You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MS IV Cadets. Prerequisite: MS 202. Offered Fall.

MS 302 Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, you will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating and leading a squad and platoon in the execution of a mission during a classroom PE, a leadership lab, or during a Leader Training Exercise (LTX). You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills that can further develop you in to a successful officer. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies and practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MSL IV Cadets. Prerequisite: MS 301. Offered Spring.

MS 401 The Army Officer This course focuses on development of the Army officer. It is an academically challenging course where you will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, resource, and assess training at the small unit level. You will 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, you will be familiar with how to plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess the conduct of training at the company or field grade officer level. The course includes a lab per week overseeing MSL III lesson facilitation and supervised by ROTC Cadre. Prerequisite: MS 302. Offered Fall.

MS 402 American Military History A historical review and analysis of the development of military strategy and weapons; a detailed study of the history of the United States military; an analysis of contemporary, post-World War II issues; and a study of selected battles. Offered Fall, Spring.

MS 403 Company Grade Leadership This is an academically challenging course where you will study, practice, develop, and apply critical thinking skills pertaining to Army leadership, officership, Army values and ethics, personal development, and small unit tactics at platoon level. This course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, mid-term exam, and a capstone exercise in place of the final exam. For the capstone exercise, you will be required to complete an oral practicum where you will be evaluated on your knowledge of the 20 Army Warfighting Challenges (AWFC) covered throughout MS 401 and MS 402 coursework. In addition, you will be assessed on leadership abilities during classroom PE, leadership labs, or Leader Training Exercises (LTX). You will receive systematic and specific feedback on your leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from your cadre, PMS, and other MS IV Cadets who will evaluate you using the Cadet Officer Evaluation Report (COER). You will be required to write peer evaluations and receive feedback on your abilities as a leader and how to improve those leader skills. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to plan, coordinate, navigate, motivate and lead a platoon in future operational environments. Successful completion of this course will assist in preparing you for your BOLC B course and is a mandatory requirement for commissioning. Prerequisite: MS 401. Offered Spring.