Department of Military Science
Academic Unit Head: LTC Andrew Bryant
Email: bryantav@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6264
Location: Memorial Hall, Suite 1123J
Department of Military Science Website
Mission
The James Madison University Army ROTC Duke Battalion mission is to recruit, inspire, develop and commission competent and confident warrior leaders of character as officers in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
Goals
The program offers two-, three- and four-year options, allowing students to complete the professional military education requirements to earn a commission as an Army officer upon graduation. The three- and four-year programs consist of a basic course and an advanced course. A two-year option allows students with at least two academic years remaining in either undergraduate or graduate studies to complete a compressed basic course during the summer prior to enrolling in the advanced course in order to complete all requirements for commissioning as a second lieutenant in the active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserves. Additionally, students not intending to pursue a career in the military can gain valuable leadership, teambuilding and communication skills by taking the basic military science courses without any obligation, which will transfer into marketable civilian job skills.
Career Opportunities and Marketable Skills
Army ROTC provides students with highly marketable leadership skills. The curriculum imparts leadership principles, concepts of human development, and aspects of health and fitness. Practical application of classroom instruction in lab develops one’s leadership style, communication and organizational skills, and strengthens personal character. Development of these skills implicitly builds one’s self-confidence, discipline and professional attributes.
Army Reservists or Army National Guardsmen who are continuing their education full time may be eligible for the Simultaneous Membership Program, which combines Reserve Forces duty with Army ROTC on campus and enables the student to earn tuition assistance and additional monetary benefits. Graduates of the program earn an Army commission and may serve four years in career areas as diverse as medical service, signal, infantry, law enforcement, aviation or nursing.
There are also opportunities for students seeking advanced degrees to delay going on active duty in order to pursue a graduate study program in law, medicine or other professional certification areas. Further, 2 and 3 year Army ROTC scholarships are possible through a competitive process for undergraduate and graduate students with no prior Army ROTC experience.
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
- Color Guard
- JMU Cannon Crew
- JMU Ranger Group
- Army Ten Miler/Half Marathon Team
- Ranger Challenge
Special Admission and Retention Requirements
Advanced military science courses are normally taken during the junior and senior years, or during graduate school. Qualified students pursuing a commission as a second lieutenant are contracted and paid a subsistence allowance of $420 per month for up to 10 months during the school year. Prior to commissioning, each cadet must successfully complete the four-week ROTC Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Cadets must maintain at least a 2.8 GPA, meet Department of War medical fitness standards, as well as pass the Army Fitness Test and height/weight control standards.