Year: Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior

Senior Year, Fall Semester - MSL 401: Developing Adaptive Leaders

Overview

MSL 401 develops cadet proficiency in planning, executing, and assessing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and providing performance feedback to subordinates. Cadets assess risk, make ethical decisions, and lead fellow ROTC cadets. Lessons on military justice and personnel processes prepare cadets to make the transition to Army officers.

MSL IV cadets analyze, evaluate, and instruct cadets at lower levels. Both their classroom and battalion leadership experiences are designed to prepare MSL 401 cadets for their first unit of assignment. They identify responsibilities of key staff, coordinate staff roles, and use situational opportunities to teach, train, and develop subordinates.

Course Objectives

Leadership

• Apply Army leadership dimensions as cadet battalion leaders
• Evaluate fellow cadets using the Leadership Development Program (LDP)

Values and Ethics

• Apply military professional ethics and ethical decision making
• Relate the Law of Land Warfare and rules of engagement to Army operations

Personal Development

• Mentor the personal development of other cadets
• Write and brief effectively

Officership

• Plan, conduct, and evaluate all ROTC training and other activities as a member of the battalion staff
• Explain Army personnel management

Tactics and Techniques

• Direct and evaluate leaders of squad and platoon tactical operations
• Use the military decision making process (MDMP)

Senior Year, Spring Semester - MSL 402: Leadership in a Complex World

Overview

MSL 402 explores the dynamics of leading in the complex situations of current military operations in the contemporary operating environment (COE). Cadets examine differences in customs and courtesies, military law, principles of war, and rules of engagement in the face of international terrorism. They also explore aspects of interacting with non-government organizations, civilians on the battlefield, and host nation support.

The course places significant emphasis on preparing cadets for their first unit of assignment. It uses case studies, scenarios, and “What Now, Lieutenant?” exercises to prepare cadets to face the complex ethical and practical demands of leading as commissioned officers in the United States Army.

Course Objectives

Leadership

• Apply Army leadership dimensions as cadet battalion leaders

Values and Ethics

• Explain and enforce Army Command Policy
• Apply Joint Ethics Regulations and the ethical decision making process

Personal Development

• Mentor the personal development of other cadets
• Develop and present a decision brief

Officership

• Relate cultural awareness, terrorism, and operational security to Army operations
• Explain the force structure of the modern Army
• Write and present an analysis of a historical battle

Tactics and Techniques

• Direct and evaluate leaders of squad and platoon tactical operations
• Apply force protection measures