University of Southern Indiana - Outreach and Engagement: Academic Services

The Advanced Course

ROTC!

The following course descriptions are the ROTC Advanced Courses; the completion of these courses are required in order to successfully complete the U.S. Army ROTC program and receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant.

Overview of LDAC: Leader Development and Assessment Course
LDAC/Warrior Forge is the crucible of the Army ROTC Program. As such, Cadet Command must provide the best professional training and evaluation possible for all cadets. The primary focus at
LDAC is to evaluate each cadet's officer potential in a collective environment. The secondary purpose of LDAC is to validate specific skills taught on campus and to impart selective individual and collective common skills. LDAC represents the only opportunity for this command to assemble cadets from disparate schools into an environment with common operational conditions.

MSL 301: Adaptive Team Leadership
MSL 301 challenges cadets to study, practice, and evaluate adaptive leadership skills as they are presented with challenging scenarios related to squad tactical operations. Cadets receive systematic and specific feedback on their leadership attributes and actions. Based on such feedback, as well as their own self-evaluations, cadets continue to develop their leadership and critical thinking abilities. The focus is developing cadets’ tactical leadership abilities to enable them to succeed at ROTC’s summer Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC).

MSL 302: Leadership under Fire
MSL 302 uses increasingly intense situational leadership challenges to build cadet awareness and skills in leading small units. Skills in decision-making, persuading and motivating team members when “under fire” are explored, evaluated, and developed. Aspects of military operations are reviewed as a means of preparing for the ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). Cadets are expected to apply basic principles of the Law of Land Warfare, Army training, and motivation to troop leading procedures. Emphasis is also placed on conducting military briefings and developing proficiency in Garrison operation orders. MSL 302 cadets are evaluated on what they know and do as leaders.

MSL 401: Developing Adaptive Leaders
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.

MSL 402 Course: Leadership in a Complex World
MSL 402 explores the dynamics of leading in the complex situations of current military operations in the 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 nongovernmental 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.

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