Army Commissioning Program

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

  1. Army Commissioning Program (Advanced Course). This program is divided into two-year and four-year commissioning plans.
    1. Two-Year Compression Commissioning Plan.
      1. Upperclassmen and Graduate Students. Students who have already completed a portion of their degree plan can pursue a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. This program is offered to students who have no prior military or military-equivalent training and have approximately two years remaining to complete their undergraduate or graduate degree plan. To qualify, students first attend a four-week summer Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The Basic Camp provides new Cadets with foundational leadership skills, training in individual and collective tasks, and critical thinking and problem solving skills. Upon completion of training, the new Cadet understands the officer’s role in leading change and the fundamentals of the Army as a profession. The government pays all travel expenses, furnishes room, board, and clothing, and pays students a per diem of approximately $900.00. Moreover, students are eligible to compete for two-year scholarships and the university awards four credit hours for this training. After successfully completing the Basic Camp students may enroll in upper-division Military Science courses and receive a monthly allowance of $420. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, meet height and weight standards, and maintain high moral and ethical standards to remain enrolled and earn their commission as an officer.
      2. Veterans. Student Veterans and National Guard or Army Reserve members who have completed some military training and service may start the ROTC program at the upper-division level, when academically prepared (typically 60 or more credit hours and capable of completing remaining academic work in two academic years).  Their applications to start the program will be approved by the Military Science Department Chair. National Guard and Army Reserve members may remain in the Guard or Reserve under the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). This course of action is strongly encouraged.  Contracted juniors receive a monthly allowance of $420.  These stipends are in addition to any pay and entitlements provided by the Guard or Reserve.
      3. Professional Military Education (PME) Component. The United States Army mandates that Army ROTC students pursuing a commission as an Army officer complete certain Professional Military Education (PME) requirements in order to be commissioned. The PME consists of a baccalaureate degree and the completion of at least one undergraduate course from each of the following designated fields of study: written communications and  military history. Students desiring to pursue a minor in Military Science, and/or a course of instruction which will satisfy the requirements for a commission in the U.S. Army, are required to seek dual advising and approval from the university and the Military Science Department Chair in order to ensure that these special requirements are satisfied.
      4. Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT).  During the compression commissioning plan, Military Science Level 3 students have the opportunity to conduct additional training beyond their attendance at Advance Camp.  They can choose to attend Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) or apply for internships.  Additional opportunities include serving as a leader during a Basic Camp rotation or attending Army schools such as Airborne, Air Assault, Northern Warfare, or Scuba school.  All of these opportunities require students to compete against their peers for a position and provide important skills and competencies required to earn their desired component and branch.
    2. Four-Year Progression Commissioning Plan.
      1. Lower-Division Courses (Basic Course). Under the four-year commissioning plan, lower-division military science courses (MLSC 1101, 1211, 1212, 2101, 2211, 2212) are required prior to taking upper-division military science courses.  These course must also be completed to commission as a military officer. Nevertheless, these courses remain open to all students without obligation for future military service. These basic courses provide instruction in leadership, communication skills, critical thinking, time management, and provide an introduction to the U.S. Army profession. The basic course highlights the career options, values/ethics, training, and benefits provided by the U.S. Army.  Scholarship or contracted students will receive a monthly allowance of $420. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, maintain height and weight standards, and maintain high moral and ethical standards to remain enrolled and earn their commission as an officer.
      2. Upper-Division Courses (Advance Course). The Upper-Division (3000 and 4000 level) courses offered by the department are normally taken during the junior and senior years or while pursuing graduate work.  These courses prepare students for their future as commissioned officers in the United States Army. Enrollment in upper-division courses requires the student to commit (contract) to commissioning after graduation and serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, the Army National Guard, or the Active Army. Students enrolled in upper-division courses receive a monthly subsistence allowance of $420. Students are required to attend the Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky during the summer between their junior and senior years.  At the Advance course, students in the upper division participate in physically and mentally challenging instruction and training.  During this training period, the student demonstrates their proficiency through leadership scenarios and through the completion of hands-on tasks. The government pays all travel expenses, furnishes room, board, and clothing, and pays students a per diem of approximately $900.00. The university awards students four credit hours for the training. Lower-division military science courses are required prior to enrolling in upper-division courses if pursuing the four-year commissioning plan.
      3. Professional Military Education (PME) Component. The United States Army mandates that Army ROTC students pursuing a commission as an Army officer complete certain Professional Military Education (PME) requirements in order to be commissioned. The PME consists of a baccalaureate degree and the completion of at least one undergraduate course from each of the following designated fields of study: written communications and , military history. Students desiring to pursue a minor in Military Science, and/or a course of instruction which will satisfy the requirements for a commission in the U.S. Army, are required to seek dual advising and approval from the university and the Military Science Department Chair in order to ensure that these special requirements are satisfied.
      4. Cadet Professional Development Training (CPDT).  During the four year commissioning plan, Military Science Level students have increased time and opportunites to conduct additional training beyond their attendance at Advance Camp.  They can choose to attend Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), apply for Cultural Understanding and Learning Programs (CULP) or apply for internships.  Additional opportunities include serving as a leader during a Basic Camp rotation, acting as Opposing Forces (OPFOR) for an Advanced Camp rotation, or attending Army schools such as Airborne, Air Assault, Northern Warfare, or Scuba school.  All of these opportunities require students to compete against their peers for a position and provide important skills and competencies required to earn their desired component and branch.