MSCI 312: Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
Prerequisites: MSCI 212 or placement credit as determined by the Professor Military
Science. Department chair authorization is also required.
Credit Hours: (4) Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory; three hours physical training
In this course the student will apply critcal thinking skills, leadership attributes and competencies, and the Army troop leading procedures to lead small unit operations.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
In this course the students will practice, develop, and apply critical thinking skills pertaining to Army leadership, officer skills, Army Values and ethics, and personal development. This course includes reading assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, a written term paper, and a final exam. The student's leadership will be assessed in the execution of Physical Training, Leadership Labs, and during the Field Training Exercise (FTX). The student will receive feedback on their leader attributes, values, and core leader competencies from ROTC cadre. This course includes introduction to squad/platoon tactical operations using troop leading procedures and battle drills to achieve the assigned mission within the commander's intent. Through the introduction of the Leadership Lab Practicum the Students learn to plan, resource, and execute training of subordinates within the Leadership Labs. This experience gives the student the opportunity to work on their teamwork and leadership skills in a hands-on performance-oriented environment.
Focus. Continues development of intermediate level cadet leader skills in preparation for Advanced Camp. Training is supplementary in scope and includes leadership, written and oral communications, operations and tactics, land navigation, weapons, and radio and wire communication subjects. Specific topics include:
1) First Aid - Tactical Combat Casualty Care
2) Troop Leading Procedures and Operations Orders review
3) Squad Reconnaissance and Squad Ambush
4) Platoon Sergeant and platoon leader working relationship
5) Squad Assault
6) Direct Leadership
7) Counseling
8) Bases of Power
9) Army Professinoal Ethic
10) platoon Assault
11) Taking Charge of your first unit.
12) Equal opportunity and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention
13) Wepaons Pre-Marksmanship Instruction
14) Call for indirect fire
15) Motivating Soldiers
16) Managing Conflict
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
An informal approach will be used to educate students about Military Science topics. The course emphasizes advanced level topics pertaining to the U.S. Army organization and role. The three-hour class is summarized as "lecture" or informal discussion. A two-hour laboratory is devoted to hands on training in advanced military skills.
Goals and Objective of the Course
1) Apply the troop leading procedures to a military problem
2) Apply Tactical Combat Casualty Care
3) Complete a squad reconnaissance
4) Complete a squad ambush
5) Apply counseling and leadership skills to solve conflict in a unit
6) Complete a platoon level reconnaissance, ambush, assault
7) Demonstrate proper call for indirect fire techniques to support a small nuit mission
8) Demonstrate understanding of the Army Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment
9) Employ and maintain an M-16A2 rifle or M-4 carbine
Assessment Measures
Graded assignments will include in-class examinations, briefing, physical fitness test, and written assignments. The grading scale is listed below:
1) Earn a final average of 70% or better
2) Earn a 70% or better average on all quizzes, midterm, and a final exam
3) Participate in all eadership labs and leadership training exercises
4) Complete 10 Mile Road March
5) Complete one writing assignments/one verbal assignment
6) Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test with a goal of attaining 300 points with at
least 100 or more in each event.
7) Complete all administrative requirements
Quizzes 20%
Land Navigation 5%
Mid Term and Final Exam 20%
Writing Assignment 10%
OPORD Brief 10%
10 Mile Ruck March 5%
Physical Fitness (APFT&HT/WT) 20%
Other Course Information
Leadership Lab Focus. Serves as learning laboratories for hands-on practical experiences. Training is supplementary and includes both offensive and defensive operations and tactics, land navigation and first aid subjects. The APFT is administered to assess the state of physical development. Specific lab topics include:
1) Conduct Drill and Ceremony
2) Individual and Buddy First Aid
3) Squad Defense
4) Platoon Defense
5) Prepare Squad/Platoon Combat Orders
6) Navigate using Map and Compass
7) React to Contact Squad/Platoon
8) Conduct Platoon Attack / Raid
9) Conduct Platoon Ambush
10) Army Physical Fitness Test
Spring Field Training Exercise
Focus. Continues development of leader skills in a field environment. The focus is on soldier-team development at small unit level. Training is supplementary in scope and includes leadership, operations and tactics, and land navigation subjects. Special topics include: Performing Platoon and Squad Level Operations and using Teamwork of the unit to conduct multiple task. Specific topics include:
1) Establish a Patrol Base
2) Conduct Land Navigation
3) Conduct Troop Leading Procedures
4) Conduct Platoon Offense Operations
5) Conduct an After Action Review
6) Redeploy to Campus
Student Command Events
1) Social functions, Awards Ceremony, Dinning Out
2) Physical Training (two to five times per week)
Review and Approval
April 18, 2017
March 29, 2016
March 16, 1998 Updated MAJ Perry N. Caskey