LTC Thomas Tolman, Department Head
Phone: (540) 568-6264/6048
Email: tolmante@jmu.edu
Location: Memorial Hall, Suite 1123J
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/rotc
Professor
T. Tolman
Associate Professors
B. Costa, C. Gibson, W. Jones
Instructor
J. Wayment
Mission
The James Madison University Army ROTC Duke Battalion mission is to recruit, develop, educate and provide quality leadership training, practical hands-on experience and Army values character development in order to commission agile and adaptive leaders to serve as the future officer leadership in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Additionally, it is our mission to motivate young people through caring leadership to be better citizens committed to lifelong service of the community and nation.
Goals
The program offers two, three and four year options, allowing students to complete the requirements to earn a commission as an Army officer. 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 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 will gain valuable leadership, teambuilding and communication skills, which 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 approximately $5,000 in two years. 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 graduate degrees to delay going on active duty in order to pursue a graduate study program in law, medicine or other subjects. Further, Army ROTC scholarships are competitive for graduate students with no prior Army ROTC experience.
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
- Color Guard
- JMU Cannon Crew
- JMU Ranger Group
- Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society
- Army Ten Miler 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 $300-$500 per month for up to 10 months during the school year. Prior to commissioning, each cadet must successfully complete the four-week ROTC Leader Development Assessment Course (LDAC) at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Cadets must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, meet DoD medical fitness standards and meet Army physical fitness and weight control standards.
Degree Requirements
The Military Science curriculum is divided into two phases:
Phase One: Basic Military Science
The basic course is open to all JMU students. There is no military obligation incurred for taking 100- and 200-level military science courses. This curriculum is designed to help students in the near-term as leaders on campus. The classes will also help students be more effective leaders in the long-term, whether they serve in the military or as leaders in civilian life. Topics addressed include problem solving, critical thinking, problem-solving methods, leadership theory, followership, group cohesion, goal setting, feedback mechanisms, physical fitness and land navigation.
Lessons are taught in a seminar format, emphasizing student discussions and practical exercises. Courses are open to all students with no prerequisites and no military obligation. Students must enroll in both the lab and the classroom instruction.
Placement credit for the basic course may be awarded through multiple programs including: prior military service, basic training, or successful completion of the ROTC summer leadership training course at Ft. Knox, Ky.
Phase Two: Advanced Military Science
The advanced course focuses on instruction and case studies which build leadership competencies and military skills in preparation for future responsibilities as Army officers and successful completion of the Leader Development Assessment Course (LDAC) at Ft. Knox, KY. Instruction includes the principles of war, decision-making processes, planning models and risk assessment. Advanced leadership instruction focuses on motivational theory, the role and actions of leaders, and organizational communications. Courses are only open to advanced course-contracted cadets with prerequisites and a military obligation is incurred.
Scholarships
Contact the department’s enrollment officers at (540) 568-3633 for scholarship information.
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