Army ROTC Cadets: What To Expect
This page seeks to outline some of the requirements of and opportunities available to cadets at Penn State Erie The Behrend College. Along with a basic description of the course requirements, a short description of each course is included.
Basic course classes (Army 101, 102, 203, & 204), where Army basics are taught, are held
twice a week in a classroom environment. A leadership laboratory is also part of the program. This lab is the practical part of the program, where leadership techniques taught in class are put to the test. All books, uniforms, and equipment needed for the course are provided to you free of charge.
Army ROTC Classes
ARMY 101: U.S. Army Organization and Function
This is the introductory course for Army ROTC. It is 2 credits and meets
twice a week for about one hour. Topics covered are the organization,
mission and function of the Army, as well as its customs and
traditions. It also voluntarily meets for a one hour Leadership Laboratory with the rest of the
battalion on Thursday
mornings. Additional opportunities include attendance at physical training one
to three times per week, and attendance at one weekend field training exercise during the semester.
ARMY 102: The Military Profession
This course continues the topics covered in Army 101 with an emphasis on leadership techniques and basic management skills. This is also 2 credits and meets
twice a week for lecture. The additional opportunities are the same as for Army 101. However, in Army 102, the student is given more hands-on leadership opportunities at
the Leadership Laboratory. Placed in a weekly rotating leadership position, such as squad leader of an 8-person squad, the cadet is responsible for leading his or her unit toward a specific goal.
Additional opportunities include attendance at physical training one
to three times per week, and attendance at one weekend field training
exercise during the semester.
ARMY 203: Army Operations
This course, taken during the sophomore year, teaches organization of units and teams as well as the fundamentals of small unit tactics. This course is 2 credits and meets
twice per week for lecture. Like Army 101 and 102, the weekly Leadership Laboratory and one weekend field training exercise per semester are
offered. During this course, the physical training attendance option
is highly recommended, but remains one to three times per week.
ARMY 204: Land Navigation
Army 204 covers military map reading and methods of orienteering and land navigation. Like Army 203, this course is 2 credits and meets
twice per week. The course favors a more hands-on approach to skills development. Cadets will be placed in more responsible leadership positions
ranging from platoon sergeant to company commander. The physical training
option and field training exercise opportunity are the same as Army 203.
ARMY 301: Leadership and Management
This course is the introduction to the Advanced Course. Subjects covered include principles of military leadership, military skills development, and advanced land navigation. This course is 3 credits and meets twice per week.
Physical training is required and varies between one to three times
per week based upon individual fitness level. There is roughly one weekend training exercise per month during the semester. The Leadership Laboratory consists of advanced training and leading the cadets in the Basic Course.
ARMY 302: Practical Military Leadership
This course covers leadership in the field. It is also 3 credits and meets twice per week for lecture. Theory of offense, defense, and squad patrolling are stressed, but are taught as practical leadership situations. The seniors work closely with the juniors at Leadership Laboratory to prepare them for
the National Advanced Leadership Camp, which takes place the summer after their junior year. Physical training is highly stressed, and there is again roughly one weekend training exercise during the semester.
ARMY 401: Command and Staff Procedures
The focus of this course is the function of a battalion staff. Each senior cadet will be assigned to a position in the Battalion, from Battalion Commander to Platoon Tactical Officer (evaluator of the underclass cadets). The senior cadets plan and supervise all the training of the underclass
cadets under the supervision of the ROTC instructors. Physical training requirements are the same as in the junior year, and seniors attend all field training exercises, performing their assigned position
and responsibilities.
ARMY 402: Transition to Lieutenant
This is the final course in the Army ROTC curriculum and teaches knowledge important to new
lieutenants, including personnel management and counseling, logistics systems, military justice, personal affairs, training management, ethical responsibilities, and life in the Army. Physical training continues at
one to three times per week, and seniors continue to perform their staff duties, coordinating with cadets from
other universities for one final field training exercise. Upon the completion of ROTC and academic coursework, the cadet is commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.