Preface
Welcome and thank you for taking the initiative to excel in a challenging academic environment and to consider serving your Nation as a Leader in our Army. This Cadet Handbook has been developed by the Cadre and Corps of Cadets of the Truman State University Army ROTC program in order to assist students in achieving a successful transition into college life and the Army ROTC’s Leadership Development Program (LDP).
If you haven’t already, please look at our Military Science website and some of the sub-links we’ve set-up so you can preview our program, the cadre and cadet leadership as well as the paid summer internship and scholarship opportunities available to you at: http://militaryscience.truman.edu/
The Cadets of the Bulldog Battalion receive leadership training that is unmatched by any other college course. As Cadets progress through their academic years they receive increasingly more comprehensive instruction in military theory, history, doctrine and organization to compliment the core military science and leadership classes. Leadership roles and responsibilities in the cadet battalion also increase culminating in the senior or MS IV year where the seniors run the program and serve as peer mentors to the underclassmen. This progressive instruction is enhanced by leadership laboratories, a very challenging physical fitness program and summer internships and cadet professional field training to include Airborne, Air Assault, Mountain Warfare, Combat Life Saver and other skills training.
Our Leadership Development Program also offers voluntary extracurricular activities. Rappelling, paintball, canoe and ski trips are always favorites but we also train a Ranger Challenge team that competes in regional and national competitions against other universities in a series of “Military Stakes” type events. The Ranger Challenge Team at Truman has a decade long tradition of excellence placing in the top three schools each of the last ten years. Our Ranger Challenge team training starts early in the fall semester and allows for a more physically challenging atmosphere in order to promote success at the competition. This is our varsity sport and will challenge you to become a better athlete and team member. Additionally, we have a Color Guard ceremonial detail, Howitzer cannon crew and “Recondo” Club that teaches additional tactical military skills to improve our cadets’ leadership skills.
The TSU Army ROTC Cadre consists of experienced US Army Officers and NCOs, all of whom have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. These professional instructors are specially selected by the Army to serve at the University and develop the future leaders of our Nation and our Army. You will receive personalized assistance in mapping out your progression as a student and enhancing your personal leadership skills. This invaluable leadership training will serve you well in whichever career field you ultimately choose to pursue. If you decide on a pursuing a career in the Active Duty Army, National Guard or US Army Reserve, by signing up for Military Science classes you will have completed the first steps necessary to receive an ROTC scholarship and ultimate commission as an Army Officer upon graduation.
-LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE IS NO ACCIDENT-
BULLDOG PRIDE!
ROTC and U.S. Army Cadet Command (USACC) History
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), as it exists today, began with President Wilson signing the National Defense Act of 1916. Although military training had been taking place in civilian colleges and universities as early as 1819, the signing of the National Defense Act brought this training under single, federally-controlled entity: The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
Army ROTC is the largest officer-producing organization within the American military, having commissioned more than half a million second lieutenants since its inception. Women have been an integral part of the Army ROTC since school year 1972-1973. The first group of females from ROTC was commissioned in school year 1975-1976. Today, women constitute 20 percent of the Corps of Cadets and more that 15 percent of each commissioning cohort.
In April 1986, the U.S. Army Cadet Command was formed. With its headquarters at Fort Monroe, Virginia, Cadet Command assumed responsibility for more than 400 senior ROTC units, four regional headquarters, and the Junior ROTC with programs in more than 800 high schools. Cadet Command transformed the ROTC from a decentralized organization turning out a heterogeneous group of junior officers into a centralized command; producing lieutenants of high and uniform quality. An improved command and control apparatus, an intensification and standardization of training, and improvements in leadership assessment and development helped produce this transformation of pre-commissioning preparation.
Today, Army ROTC has a total of 273 programs located at colleges and universities throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico with an enrollment of more than 20,000. It produces approximately 60 percent of the second lieutenants who join the active Army, the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. More than 40 percent of current active duty Army General Officers was commissioned through the ROTC. Of even greater importance is that ROTC trained and educated officers bring a hybrid vigor to our officer corps by drawing on the strength and variety of our social fabric. This reduces the natural tendency of armies to drift into inbred professional separatism. Cadet Command accomplishes this by combining the character building aspects of a diverse, self-disciplined civilian education with tough, centralized leader development training. This process forges a broad-gauged officer who manifests the strength and diversity of the society from which he or she is drawn as well as the quality of strong officer leadership.
History of Army ROTC at Truman State University
In 1968, the Department of the Army authorized Truman State University to establish an ROTC program. The program agreement stated that ROTC would be mandatory for all incoming freshmen, replacing the general education requirement of physical education. After completing their freshmen year, continuation of the ROTC program would be optional.
The new program was placed on the academic schedule as of the fall semester SY 1969-1970. More than 600 young men were enrolled in the fall of 1969. On 23 September 1969, the first leadership lab was held. In January 1970, the first female enrolled in the program and in February the rifle range in the basement of Brewer Hall was opened for Truman undergraduate students. On 19 May 1970, the first military banquet was held at the Bonfoey Inn.
During the summer of 1970, 17 Truman State University students attended Advanced Camp at Fort Riley and 25 attended Basic Camp at Fort Knox.
The first commissioning ceremony was held on 27 May 1971. At this time, there were four commissionees. Since that time, more than 550 lieutenants have been commissioned through the Bulldog Battalion. Over one-third still serves in the United States Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve.
