ROTC Introductory Briefing and Program Operations

Core Leadership and Community Principles

  • Building Relationships and Trust: The program emphasizes building strong relationships between cadets. Trust is established through mutual support and empowering others within the domain of the university and the program.

  • Cadet Empowerment: The program aims to empower cadets as the primary leaders. The technical curriculum is secondary to the leadership development of the individuals, as cadre members cycle out while the cadets remain the long-term stewards of the program's culture.

  • Peer Mentorship: MS4 students are actively working to increase the flow of information to lower classes. Cadets should consult their squad leaders for lab schedules and situational awareness.

  • Program Composition: The program currently consists of approximately 235235 cadets.

Mastering the Basics

  • Foundational Focus: High-tier units, including the Major Regiment, Delta Force, and Special Forces, prioritize mastering basic skills. The program adopts this philosophy, requiring cadets to execute fundamentals perfectly to handle more complex scenarios.

  • Battalion Performance: Initial battalion runs may be challenging for some, but improvement is expected. Cadets struggling with physical standards are encouraged to run independently to prepare for subsequent weeks.

  • Daily Schedule:

    • Operations typically run from 06:0006:00 to 07:1507:15.
    • The final 1515 minutes of sessions are reserved for outside training on warrior skills.

  • Warrior Skill Training Areas:

    • Drill and ceremony.
    • Call for fire procedures.
    • Grenade throwing techniques.

Physical Training Requirements

  • Ruck Marching: Ruck marches will occur approximately every other week, usually on Friday mornings. These sessions build cardiovascular endurance and benefit the renal system.

  • Water Operations: Every company is required to complete a minimum of 33 sessions in the pool per semester. These take place at the SCFC pool. Commands must coordinate through proper channels to avoid scheduling conflicts.

  • Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT): Record ACFTs are conducted at the end of the semester. While preliminary scores (e.g., a 500500) are useful for tracking, the final score recorded at the end of the semester (e.g., a 350350 in November) is the one that counts for official records. Continuous improvement is mandatory.

Training Facilities and Tactical Exercises

  • Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) Rifle Range: The retaining wall is operational, and the rifle range is available.

    • MS3 requirement: Every MS3 must qualify 44 times per semester.
    • MS1 and MS2 access: Lower-level cadets are highly encouraged to utilize the EST for trigger time to improve marksmanship and comfort.

  • Cadet Summer Training (CST) Points: There are 6060 points available at CST that cadets can directly control through preparation and mastery of skills taught during the year.

  • Field Training Exercise (FTX):

    • FTX is scheduled from Thursday through Sunday.
    • Cadets are expected to attend classes on the 2828th, but the memo covers them through that date.
    • Monday serves as flex time in case of weather disruptions, such as dust storms.

Program Policies and Service Requirements

  • Service Hours: Every cadet must complete 2020 service/program hours per semester as part of their grade.

    • Opportunities include Veterans Day events and other pre-approved programs.
    • Hours can be earned outside the program (e.g., church food banks, pet shelters) but must receive prior authorization from cadre.

  • Attendance and Disenrollment:

    • Unexcused absences result in counseling by cadre.
    • The disenrollment process for MS4s begins after the 44th unexcused absence.
    • Cadets feeling ill must still show up to formation to report their status to Captain Bowen unless they have prior authorization.

  • Employment Recommendations: While there is no hard cap on working hours, it is observed that the average cadet struggles when working more than 2020 hours per week.

  • Leadership Preparation: MS3s should expect to spend several hours preparing Operation Orders (OPORDs) and shells the night before leadership evaluations to ensure success.

Support Personnel and Contact Information

  • Reserves: Staff Sergeant Straszinski is the reserve specialist. His desk is located next to Mister Raul in the main office. He assists with reserve-specific supply and equipment issues.

  • National Guard Liaison: The professor of military science acts as the liaison between ROTC and the National Guard to resolve conflicts regarding priority and equipment.

  • Recruitment: Doctor Miller is the primary Recruiter. She processes all paperwork for joining the program; the liaison/instructor does not handle MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) processing.

  • Contact Number: Contact can be made via cell at 602−328−55602-328-55.

Questions & Discussion

  • Question: What should a cadet do if they wake up feeling unwell?

    • Response: If you are unsure if an absence will be excused, show up to formation and speak with Captain Bowen directly to explain the situation.

  • Question: How many times must MS3s qualify on the rifle range this year?

    • Response: MS3s must qualify 44 times.

  • Question: How many unexcused absences are permitted before formal action is taken?

    • Response: Four.

  • Question: What time do operations cease at the lab on Friday?

    • Response: Operations cease at 11:0011:00, and cadets are released at 11:0011:00.

  • Question: Are there excusal letters for professors?

    • Response: Yes, it is critical to provide excusal letters for FTX to all professors, including those for online classes, as soon as possible.

  • Question: When is the second ACFT?

    • Response: Exact dates for the second ACFT are still being determined; information will be pushed out as soon as it is available.