Army ROTC: Course Descriptions

MSL 101 Leadership and Personal Development— 1 cr. hr. MSL 101 introduces cadets to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership. Cadets learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, goal setting, time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership, officership, and the Army profession.

MSL 102 Introduction to Tactical Leadership— 1 cr. hr. MSL 102 overviews leadership fundamentals such as setting direction, problem-solving, listening, presenting briefs, providing feedback, and using effective writing skills. Cadets explore dimensions of leadership values, attributes, skills, and actions in the context of practical, hands-on, and interactive exercises.  

MSL 121 Leadership Laboratory—1 cr. hr. Open only to (and required of) students in MSL 101. Series with different roles for students at different levels in the program. Learn and practice basic leadership and development skills. Build self-confidence and team-building leadership skills that can be applied throughout life.

MSL 122 Leadership Laboratory—1 cr. hr. Open only to (and required of) students in MSL 102. Learn and practice basic leadership and de­velopment skills. Build self-confidence and team-building leadership skills that can be ap­plied throughout life.

MSL 131 Basic course Physical Fitness— 1 cr. hr. Open to all students. Participate in and learn to load a physical fitness program. Emphasis on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 132 Basic Course Physical Fitness— 1 cr. hr.  Open to all students. Participate in and learn to lead a physical fitness program. Emphasis on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 201  Innovative Team Leadership -2 cr. hrs. MSL 201 explores the dimensions of creative and innovative tactical leadership strategies and styles by examining team dynamics and two historical leadership theories that form the basis of the Army leadership framework (trait and behavior theories). Cadets practice aspects of personal motivation and team building in the context of planning, executing, and assessing team exercises and participating in leadership labs. 

MSL 202 Foundations of Tactical Leadership – 2 cr. hrs. MSL 202 examines the challenges of leading tactical teams in the complex contemporary operating environment (COE). The course highlights dimensions of terrain analysis, patrolling, and operation orders.  Further study of the theoretical basis of the Army leadership framework explores the dynamics of adaptive leadership in the context of military operations.

MSL 221 Leadership Laboratory—1 cr. hr. Open only to (and required of) students in MSL 201. Learn and practice basic leadership and de­velopment skills.

MSL 222 Leadership Laboratory—1 cr. hr. Open only to (and required of) students in MSL 202. Build self-confidence and team-building lead­ership skills that can be applied throughout life.

MSL 231 Basic Course Physical Fitness—1 cr. hr. Open to all students. Series with different roles for students at different levels in the program. Participate in and learn to lead a physical fit­ness program. Emphasis on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of ex­ercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 232 Basic course Physical Fitness— 1 c r. hr. Open to all students. Participate in and learn to lead a physical fitness program. Emphasis on the development of an individual fitness pro­gram and the role of exercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 240 Basic Leadership internship— 3 cr. hrs. A five-week basic intern leadership training coarse conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The student receives pay. Travel, lodging, and most meal costs are defrayed by the Army. The envi­ronment is rigorous. Military obligation incurred. Introduction to leadership and self and team de­velopment. Individual leads groups of 9-40 stu­dents to learn and apply principles of effective leadership. Develops communication skills to improve individual and group performance. Re­lates ethical values to effectiveness of a leader.

MSL 290 Directed Study —1-4 cr. hrs.

MSL 301 Adaptive Tactical Leadership— 3 cr. hrs. 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.

MSL 302 Leadership in Changing Environments — 3 cr. Hrs.  Continues methodology of MSL 301 and uses increasingly intense situational leadership challenges to build cadet awareness and skills in leading tactical operations up to platoon level. Cadets review aspects of combat, stability, and support operations. They also conduct military briefings and develop proficiency in garrison operation orders. 

MSL 321 Advanced Leadership Laboratory— 1 cr. hr. Open only to students in the associated MSL 301. Involves leadership responsibilities for the planning, coordination, execution, and evalua­tion of various training and activities with basic course students and for the ROTC program as a whole. Students develop, practice, and refine leadership skills by serving and being evaluated in a variety of responsible positions.

MSL 322 Advanced Leadership Laboratory—1 cr. hr. Open only to students in the associated MSL 302. Students develop, practice, and refine leader­ship skills by serving and being evaluated in a variety of responsible positions.

MSL 331 Advanced Course Physical Fitness—1 cr. hr.  Required of students in MSL 301. Participate in and learn to plan and lead physical fitness pro­grams. Develops the physical fitness required of an officer in the Army. Emphasis on the de­velopment of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 332 Advanced Course Physical Fitness—1 cr. hr. Required of students in MSL 302. Participate in and learn to plan and lead physical fitness pro­grams. Develops the physical fitness required of an officer in the Army. Emphasis on the de­velopment of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 340 Leadership Development & Assess­ment Course—3 cr. hr. A five-week course conducted at Fort Lewis, Washington. Only open to (and required of) stu­dents who have completed, MSL 301 and 302. The student receives pay. Travel, lodging, and most meal costs are defrayed by the Army. The na­tional advanced leadership course environment is highly structured and demanding, stressing leadership at small unit levels under varying challenging conditions, Students improve com­munication skills to enhance group perfor­mance. Students apply ethics-based leadership skills that develop individuals and teams. Indi­vidual leadership performance is evaluated. Graded on a pass/no pass basis only.

MSL 401 Developing Adaptive Leaders —3 cr. hrs. 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 402 Leadership in a Complex World—3 cr. hrs. Continues the methodology from MSL 401 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.

MSL 421 Advanced Leadership Laboratory— 1 cr. hr. Open only to students in the associated MSL 401. Involves leadership responsibilities for the plan­ning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of training activities with the ROTC program as a whole. Students develop, practice, and refine leadership skills by serving and being evaluated in a variety of responsible positions.

MSL 422 Advanced Leadership laboratory— 1 cr. hr. Open only to students in the associated MSL 402. Involves leadership responsibilities for the plan­ning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of training activities with the ROTC program as a whole, Students develop, practice, and refine leadership skills by serving and being evaluated in a variety of responsible positions.

MSL 431 Advanced Course Physical Fitness— 1 cr. hr.  Participate in and learn to plan and lead physical fitness programs. Develops the physical fitness re­quired of an officer in the Army. Emphasis on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fitness in one’s life.

MSL 432 Advanced Course Physical Fitness— 1 c r. hr. Participate in and learn to plan and lead physi­cal fitness programs. Develops the physical fit­ness required of an officer in the Army. Emphasis on the development of an individual fitness program and the role of exercise and fit­ness in one’s life.