MilSci 100 – Freshman Year

Military Science 100 is the entry point into Army ROTC and serves as the foundational course for all cadets. Designed primarily for first-year students, this course introduces the core values, structure, and culture of the U.S. Army while providing a hands-on opportunity to experience what life as an ROTC cadet entails. It is also intentionally structured to help prospective students explore whether military service and ROTC are the right fit for their personal and professional goals; there is no obligation to commit during this phase.

Throughout the semester, cadets focus on mastering individual soldier skills, such as land navigation, drill and ceremony, and basic first aid. These tasks are more than just technical training; they are carefully designed to develop discipline, self-awareness, and a sense of responsibility. Instruction is led by experienced Non-Commissioned Officers who bring a wealth of knowledge, mentorship, and real-world insight into what it means to serve.

Cadets also begin learning the principles of leadership by first focusing on followership. Through small-unit infantry tactics used as a framework, cadets learn how to function effectively as members of a team, communicate clearly under pressure, and support their peers in pursuit of a shared mission. This team-based environment builds trust, accountability, and the confidence needed to grow into leadership roles in future semesters.

Ultimately, Military Science 100 teaches cadets that the foundation of great leadership is grounded in the ability to first be a dependable, respectful, and capable follower. Understanding how to support others and contribute to a team sets the stage for leading with authenticity, humility, and purpose.

Key Tasks

• Introduction to ROTC and Army Culture
• Exposure to Leadership Through Followership
• Use of Infantry Tactics as a Leadership Framework
• Personal Growth and Self-Assessment

Leadership Lab: Learning by Doing

Leadership Lab is the cornerstone of experiential learning in Army ROTC—a once-a-week opportunity where cadets move from the classroom to the field to apply what they’ve learned through hands-on training. This is where leadership concepts and soldier skills come to life.

For new cadets enrolled in Military Science 101, Leadership Lab provides a structured environment to practice individual and small-team tasks in a real-world setting. During the fall semester, labs focus on basic soldiering skills such as movement techniques, communication, first aid, and squad-level tactics. Freshman cadets—known as MSIs—are placed into squads and function as team members, learning by doing under the direction of upperclassmen who are exercising their leadership responsibilities.

In the winter semester, the learning environment expands. MSIs are organized into a platoon that participates in simulated missions as part of the Platoon STX (Situational Training Exercise) Lane. Junior cadets (MSIIIs) take the lead in planning and executing platoon-level operations, while freshmen simulate the role of enlisted soldiers—executing tasks, following orders, and observing the dynamics of leadership in action. This deliberate role reversal is critical: it allows MSIs to internalize the responsibilities of leadership by first experiencing what it means to be led.

Throughout the year, Leadership Lab reinforces one essential truth of Army leadership: before you can lead, you must first learn how to follow. By taking on the role of a team member and observing how leaders communicate, adapt, and make decisions, freshman cadets gain the perspective, humility, and foundational skills necessary to grow into confident, capable leaders.