Full-Time Faculty: Lieutenant Colonel James H. Soos, Chair; Major Jamey J. Barcomb, Captain Brian C. Hyer, Captain Will Lynch, Master Sergeant Stanley Smith, Master Sergeant (Ret.) Sydney W. Hunte.
The Military Science Program is designed to augment the college learning experience; identifying and developing future leaders is the cornerstone of the program. Its primary goals are to identify, assess and develop the potential of young men and women for commissioning as officers in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Intermediate goals include providing students with leadership and managerial skills that will prepare them to lead in public service, business, military and community organizations. The commissioning source of US Army officers for the Greater Buffalo area is the Golden Griffin Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). This program is open to students of all majors.
The traditional Military Science program is four years: a two-year Basic Course (from two to six credit hours/year), for which no military obligation is incurred, and a two-year Advanced Course (six credit hours/year) for which there is a military service obligation.
The Basic Course refers to the first and second year courses and leadership labs: MLS 101 & 102, MLS 201 and 202, MLS 111/112L and 211/212L labs. These courses are designed for beginning students who want to qualify for entry into the Advanced Course and for those students who desire to explore opportunities within military science without an obligation. A number of popular and challenging extra-curricular activities are available to students who take these courses. Students may take up to twelve Basic Course credits without obligation. A student may also qualify for acceptance into the Advanced Course by completing the Leader Training Course (MLS 210) at Ft. Knox, KY or receive placement credit on the basis of prior military service.
Basic Course students may also compete for scholarships for two or three years of academic study. They do not have to be enrolled in ROTC at the time of application. All Army ROTC scholarship awards are based solely on merit to include a student’s academic, athletic, leadership and community service qualifications. These scholarship awards are valued at $20,000 per year for tuition. Additionally, scholarship awardees receive $8,480 per year towards room and board, $900 per year for books, and a $250-400 per-month stipend for incidental expenses.
The Advanced Course consists of MLS 301, 302 and 310; MLS 401 and 402; and concurrent enrollment in a MLS Lab (311/312L and 411/412L labs). It is available only to those students who have completed the Basic Course Curriculum, the Leader Training Course, or have earned placement credit for prior military service as stated above. The Advanced Course is designed to qualify students for a commission in the US Army, Army Reserve or National Guard. Completion of all courses listed above and the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) are required for commissioning. LDAC is a five-week, US Army-run course conducted at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Students are paid over $700 and provided free travel, subsistence and lodging at government expense. Cadets normally attend LDAC during the summer between their junior and senior years. All courses must be taken in sequence unless otherwise approved by the chair of the Military Science Department. Advanced Course students receive a tax-free stipend of $350-400 per month, up to $4,000 per year. Graduates of the Advanced Course may apply for active duty service in the United States Army or serve in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
A special component to the Advanced Course program is the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). This permits a student to combine service in the US Army Reserve or New York Army National Guard with the Canisius College ROTC Advanced Course. SMP members receive the training, pay and benefits associated with service in a reserve forces unit while completing their Advanced Course requirements to qualify for commissioning. Further details are available through the Canisius College Department of Military Science.
Schedule:
| Fall | Spring | |||||
| Freshman Year | ||||||
| MLS 101 | 1 credit | MLS 102 | 1 credit | |||
| MLS 111L | 2 credits | MLS 112L | 2 credits | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||||
| MLS 201 | 1 credit | MLS 202 | 1 credit | |||
| MLS 211L | 2 credits | MLS 212L | 2 credits | |||
| Junior Year | ||||||
| MLS 301 | 3 credits | MLS 302 | 3 credits | |||
| MLS 311L (Req) | 0 credits | MLS 312L (Req) | 0 credits | |||
| Summer | ||||||
| MLS 310 NALC | (five weeks) | |||||
| Senior Year | ||||||
| MLS 401 | 3 credits | MLS 340 | 3 credits | |||
| MLS 411L (req) | 0 credits | MLS 312L (req) | 0 credits |
COURSES: 2007 - 2009
MLS 101 Introduction to Leadership I 1 credit
This course focuses on individual leadership skills and functioning as an effective member of a team. Optional: leadership lab, one-hour physical fitness sessions, weekend military exercises. 50 minutes once a week.
MLS 102 Introduction to Leadership II 1 credit
This course continues leadership development through an introduction to problem solving and effective decision-making techniques. Optional: leadership lab, one-hour physical fitness sessions, weekend military exercises. 50 minutes once a week.
MLS 201 Leadership and Teamwork I 1 credit
Course focuses principally on leadership, providing an extensive examination of the unique purpose, roles and obligations of leaders. The course involves exercises in communication, goal setting and public speaking. Optional: leadership lab, one-hour physical fitness sessions, weekend military exercises. 50 minutes once a week.
MLS 202 Leadership and Teamwork II 1 credit
Course focus is on motivational techniques, organizational ethics, values and counseling as part of a team. The course involves basic military tactics, small unit operations planning and map reading. Optional: leadership lab, one-hour physical fitness sessions, weekend military exercises. 50 minutes once a week.
MLS 111L/112L/211L/212L Basic Course Leadership Laboratory 2
Students are given opportunities to lead their peers in hands-on training in basic military skills such as land navigation, rifle marksmanship, tactics, drill and ceremony, first aid and survival swimming. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MLS 101, 102, or MLS 201, 202.
MLS 210 Leader Training Course 3 credits
A summer leadership internship at Ft. Knox, KY. Students are paid over $700 and all expenses. Completion allows competition for a two-year ROTC scholarship ($20,000/year) and credit for MLS 100 and 200 courses. Five weeks.
MLS 301 Unit Organization and Tactical Operations I 3 credits
Small unit operations and advanced tactics. Extensive use of situational leadership exercises and group problem solving. Formulation of oral and written operational plans and orders. Military geography and orienteering. Three hours per week. Prerequisite: Approval of department chair; concurrent registration in MLS 311L.
MLS 302 Unit Organization and Tactical Operations II 3 credits
Course focus on application of military leadership theory. Instruction includes delivering briefings and issuing operation orders; advanced military skill training and small unit operations are emphasized. Three hours per week. Prerequisite: Approval of department chair; concurrent registration in MLS 312L.
MLS 311L/312L Advanced Leadership Lab 0 credits
Cadets apply basic military skills in small peer learning exercises and small unit training operations. Leadership positions are rotated to solve problems in tactics, land navigation, logistics and crisis reaction. Required for MLS 301/302 students.
MLS 310 Leader Development and Assessment Course 3 credits
A five week training experience at Ft. Lewis, WA designed to develop and evaluate leadership ability. The challenges are demanding, both mentally and physically. In addition to proving their leadership ability, cadets must meet established standards in physical fitness and demonstrate proficiency in military skills.
MLS 401 Advanced Leadership Studies 3 credits
The course studies leadership skills required of Army officers and prepares cadets to lead the cadet battalion during the school year. Emphasis on staff organization and function, the Army’s training management system, counseling methods and leadership. Prerequisites: MLS 301, MLS 302 and MLS 310; concurrent registration in MLS 411L.
MLS 402 Military Law, Ethics and the Military Profession 3 credits
Final preparation for commissioning as a U.S. Army officer. Course emphasis is on establishing command climates, the military legal system, laws of war, administrative and logistical management and transition from cadet to lieutenant. Prerequisite: MLS 401; concurrent registration in MLS 412L.
MLS 411/412L Senior Leadership Laboratory 0 credits
Under cadre supervision, seniors plan, conduct and evaluate training for the underclass leadership labs. Seniors provide instruction, coaching and mentoring to underclass cadets, and conduct command and staff activities needed to run the cadet battalion. Two hours per week. Required for MLS 401/402.
MLS 199/299/399/499 Independent Study 1-3 credits
Students study selected military topics under the supervision of a cadre member. Prerequisite: Permission of the professor of military science.