No-Obligation Program

This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit catalog.shsu.edu.

  1. No-Obligation Program (Basic Course). The lower-division (1000 and 2000 level) courses offered by the department are open to all students without obligation for present or future military service. These courses provide instruction in basic leadership and endurance skills that are applicable to any future profession. These courses are generally taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Students attending the no-obligation course may also participate (at no obligation) in summer Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT) to include Basic Camp, Airborne, Air Assault, Northern Warfare, Mountain Warfare training, and the Advanced Camp Support Mission.  Preference for CPDT goes to contracted Cadets, but non-contracted students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    1. BASIC CAMP.  Basic Camp is a four week developmental training camp conducted at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  The camp provides hands-on leadership skills through immersive training scenarios.  Specific skills developed include:  radio training, weapons proficiency, tactical leadership, and basic Army standards and etiquette.  The camp produces a Cadet grounded in foundational leadership doctrine and skills.  Upon completion of training, the Cadet demonstrates proficiency in individual and collective tasks at the team and squad level and applies them in a physically demanding, complex, tactical environment. Cadets also comprehend critical thinking and problem solving skills using Troop Leading Procedures. Finally, Cadets learn the value of diversity and understand the officer’s role in leading change. This camp teaches the fundamentals of the Army as a profession.  The Cadet receives approximately $900 per diem during training and all travel costs are covered by the government.
    2. AIRBORNE TRAINING. This physically demanding school is scheduled during the summer over a three-week period at Fort Benning, Georgia. Students who successfully complete this school are qualified as Army parachutists and are awarded Army Paratrooper Wings. This training is offered to any student enrolled in Military Science, although available seats are limited.
    3. AIR ASSAULT TRAINING. This physically demanding school scheduled during the summer consists of ten days of training which includes a twelve mile road march, an obstacle course, classes in aircraft safety and familiarization, rappelling, rigging, and sling-loading. Air Assault school is offered at various Army posts throughout the United States. This training is offered to any student enrolled in Military Science, although available seats are limited.
    4. NORTHERN WARFARE SCHOOL. This is a two-week course conducted at Fort Greeley, Alaska. It consists of physically and mentally demanding training emphasizing movement in mountainous terrain, on glaciers and in in-land waterways. This training is offered to any student enrolled in Military Science, although available seats are limited.
    5. MOUNTAIN WARFARE SCHOOL. This is a two-week course conducted at Jericho, Vermont. This training is both physically and mentally challenging with emphasis placed on movement in mountainous terrain. This training is offered to any student enrolled in Military Science, although available seats are limited.
    6. ADVANCED CAMP SUPPORT MISSION.  Cadets in the Basic Course track have the opportunity to support Advance Camp by serving as Opposing Forces (OPFOR) in the summer of their first or second year.  They learn about the Advance Camp structure and gain a tactical training advantage over their peers during the course of this month long support to the Advance Camp mission.  Cadets earn approximately $900 per diem for this summer training mission.