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Military Science Minor

The Military Science minor at the University of Central Missouri prepares you to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army while you pursue your academic interests.

In UCM’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, you’ll develop the necessary leadership skills for military and professional success. You’ll also develop mental and physical agility and gain valuable survival skills.

Under the guidance and mentorship of military leaders and former ROTC cadets, you’ll explore your post-college options with the U.S. Army. This includes choosing to follow the military career path or aiming for a civilian professional career after completing your service in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Undergraduate degree options to fit your status

Whether you’re currently an active-duty soldier or a recent high school graduate, UCM’s Military Science minor provides you with the opportunity to earn your college degree while serving your country. A Military Science minor pairs well with any UCM degree plan, but majors frequently paired with the minor include:

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Contact

Brett Risner
Scholarship and Enrollment Officer
Ward Edwards Building, Room 2416
Warrensburg, MO 
Tel: 660-543-4863
risner@ucmo.edu

Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies

Military Science and Leadership - ROTC


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Military Friendly Gold School

Military Friendly® gold school

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Program options for active-duty soldiers

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A UCM undergraduate program since 1968

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Opportunities for advanced training

What you will study

As a Military Science minor at the University of Central Missouri, you’ll take ROTC classes throughout all four years of your undergraduate education. You’ll progress through college while gaining increasing levels of responsibility in the program and building military knowledge, leadership skills and adaptability to set you up for military and professional success.

Courses you may take in the Military Science minor include:

  • Applied Leadership in Platoon Operations
  • Cadet Advanced Camp
  • Concepts in Fitness Training Development
  • History of the U.S. Army
  • Company Grade Leadership and the Army Profession

The University of Central Missouri also offers optional program training opportunities through the minor, such as additional summer training in mountaineering, air assault school, Airborne, Cadet Troop Leader Training, internships, Cadet Field Training, Nurse Summer Training Program, SAPPER School, and more.

 

Excellence in Military Science

  • Top 10%: UCM’s ROTC cadets consistently rank in the top 10% of the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s national Order of Merit list.
  • 3rd place: UCM’s ROTC program - best overall battalion (3rd Brigade “Black Hawk” U.S. Army Cadet Command, 2020)
  • 3rd place: UCM’s ROTC program - best recruiting and retention (3rd Brigade “Black Hawk” U.S. Army Cadet Command, 2020)
  • The University of Central Missouri was recognized as a Military Friendly® School gold for the 2022–2023 academic year because of our commitment to support the military community through services such as the Military and Veterans Success Center, military tuition packages and military-friendly policies on matters such as deployments.

 

  • Army ROTC Bataan Memorial Marathon 2023 - Second Place, Civilian Individual Male, Light, 19 and Under Group - Jonas Ross
  • Army ROTC Cadet Advanced Camp - 2021 Recondo - Justin Cobb and Hunter Yates
  • Army ROTC Bataan Memorial Marathon 2023 - Fifth Place, Civilian Individual Female, Light, 20 to 29 year-old Group - Clairissa Nivens
  • Army ROTC Bataan Memorial Marathon 2023 - Fifth Place, Civilian Individual Female, Heavy, 20 to 29 year-old Group - Adrian Chinn
  • Army ROTC Cadet Advanced Camp - 2022 Recondo - Skyler Bachman, Braden Cerra and Andrew Williamson
  • Army ROTC Ranger Buddy Competition 2023 - Third Place, Female - Sydni Holcomb and Gabriella Vaupel
  • Army ROTC Sapper School 2022 - Honor Grad - Skyler Bachman

Unique learning opportunities in military science

As a cadet in the University of Central Missouri’s ROTC program, you’ll get exciting and immersive opportunities to put your skills into practice:

  • Field training exercises: Twice per year, spend a long weekend putting your marksmanship, land navigation and reconnaissance training to use.
  • Color Guard: Learn how to present the colors and get the chance to represent the ROTC program at public events.
  • Student life: Watch football games from the endzone, where you’ll fire canons and do push-ups to support the UCM football team. Attend military appreciation games in every sport. You’ll even get an inside look at the college athlete experience.
  • Ranger Buddy Team: You may be chosen to take part in this 15k ruck run and warrior challenge if you’re one of the best among your peers. Our teams have a history of success, including being named national champions in male-male team in 2017 and 2022, and third place female-female team in 2023. 
  • Ranger Challenge: Compete against cadets across the country in team ruck march, land navigation, obstacle course, orienteering and grenade assault course events.
  • Army Ten-Miler Team: Take part in this annual race in Washington, D.C., to promote the Army and build fellowship. You can also attend an activity fair and networking events.
  • Bataan Team: Test your endurance in a 26.2-mile marathon through the desert at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. In 2023, our teams finished in second place in Civilian Individual Male, and fifth and sixth place in Civilian Individual Female.

 

What can you do with a minor in Military Science from UCM?

As a Military Science minor at the University of Central Missouri, you’ll be ready to enter the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant right after graduation. From there, you can choose to move to an active-duty assignment, go into the U.S. Army Reserve or join the Army National Guard.

While most graduates are immediately commissioned into the U.S. Army, you can also choose to get additional education before you begin your service. Depending on your primary undergraduate major and career goals, you can enter graduate school, law school or medical school, or even train to be a U.S. Army chaplain. After you complete your advanced degree, you can enter the U.S. Army with additional qualifications that can help guide the trajectory and focus of your military career.

Once you finish your service, you can choose to continue with a lifetime career in the military or pursue an alternative career path outside the U.S. Army.

Careers with a Military Science minor

Use the interactive tool below to learn about the types of careers you can have as a Military Science minor. Learn about employment trajectories, salaries and more.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Military Science minor

The University of Central Missouri offers a high-value education at an affordable price. In addition to our low tuition, we offer a number of ways to help you finance your education, including scholarships, grants, loans, tuition awards and more. 

As a student in the ROTC program, you’ll be eligible for a number of U.S. Army scholarships, including:

  • Four-Year National Scholarships
    • Two years of 100% paid room and board
    • 100% paid tuition for up to five years, $420 per month stipend and $600 per semester book allowance
  • Three-Year Advanced Designee Scholarships
    • Two years of 100% paid room and board beginning freshman year
    • 100% paid tuition for up to four years beginning sophomore year, $420 per month stipend and $600 per semester book allowance
  • Simultaneous Membership Program with the Army National Guard and Army Reserves
    • Fed TA, State TA, GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, Drill pay & Army Stipend. Most Cadets receive 100% paid tuition and earn nearly $1,600 per month in benefits.
    • Cadets are eligible for Active Duty service, Army Reserves or Army National Guard
  • Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship with the Army National Guard and Army Reserves
    • National Guard Cadets receive 100% state tuition, $420 per month stipend, $600 semester books and $5,000 per semester for room and board
    • Army Reserve Cadets receive 100% tuition or $5,000 per semester room and board, $420 per month stipend and $600 semester books

You may also be eligible to apply for certain UCM-specific scholarships related to the Military Science minor, such as:

  • Department of Military Science and Leadership Scholarship
  • Two- and Three-Year Campus-Based Scholarships
    • 100% paid tuition for up to length of scholarship, $420 per month stipend and $600 per semester book allowance

For more inforamtion about ROTC benefits, options and scholarships, contact John Wolfmeyer at wolfmeyer@ucmo.edu. You can also learn more about campus-wide scholarships with the .

 

Additional ROTC Opportunities at UCM

In addition to the overall leadership skills and scholarship opportunities available in the Military Science minor, the University of Central Missouri also offers some targeted educational opportunities to jumpstart your career:

  • Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP): Take part in the Advance ROTC Program as an enlisted member of the Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve. You’ll have the opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree and tuition assistance, take leadership and management training and gain a commission as a second lieutenant.
  • Army ROTC nursing program: Get practical, real-world leadership, management, communication and decision-making experience that you can apply to your nursing practice upon graduation. As a student in this program, you’ll also be eligible for additional scholarships and stipends to help pay for your UCM Nursing degree.
  • Army Green to Gold Program: If you’re an active-duty enlisted soldier, you can take part in this program to earn your undergraduate degree. You’ll also be eligible to apply for additional tuition assistance to make your education possible

 

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Explore programs related to military science.
 

The Military Science minor pairs well with the following undergraduate minors at UCM:

 

Program Information

Army Nursing

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides an opportunity for college nursing students to receive practical, hands-on leadership experience directly applicable to nursing practice. As a Registered Nurse, you are looked at as a leader in providing nursing care. But how can a person become a leader if they have never been given the skills to walk in that role? The Army ROTC Nurse Program is one avenue to acquire these skills. The Army ROTC Nurse Program provides nursing students the opportunity to develop management, communication and decision-making skills in a non-threatening environment. There are many advantages to becoming an Army Nurse. 

Financial Benefits

Scholarship Students: 2,3 and 4 year scholarships are available to eligible nursing students at UCM. All scholarships provide: 

  • Tuition/fees: up to full tuition. 
  • Books: $1,200/yr 
  • Graduated Monthly Stipend: Freshman- $420, Sophomores- $420, Juniors- $420, Seniors- $420 
  • Reimbursed: up to $400 for some nursing expenses 
  • University Incentives: Additional financial assistance is available for eligible students through the Financial Aide Office. 
  • Departmental Benefits: Room and Board, and additional monetary awards 
  • Non-Scholarship Students: Students may participate in Army ROTC without a scholarship and receive the same monthly stipend of up to $500.00 per month for expenses during their junior and senior years of college. More importantly than the $500.00 per month is the guaranteed clinical nursing job upon graduation. Army ROTC nursing graduates will have the start to a fantastic career in nursing, with unbeatable continuing education opportunities.  

Criteria for Scholarships:

  • Attend a college or university with a NLN accredited nursing program.
  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • 21 ACT
  • Under 27 years of age by June of the year in which you graduate. Veterans who qualify may be eligible for an extension of this age requirement up to a maximum age of 29.
  • Good moral Character
  • Physically fit & Medically qualified

Benefits of Army Nursing:

  • Choose from over 30 medical facilities around the world.
  • Receive a substantial housing allowance.
  • Free medical and dental care.
  • 30 days paid vacation a year.
  • Commissary and post exchange shopping at considerable savings.
  • Choose a clinical focus from a wide variety of specialties.
  • Positions available in clinical, administrative, and educational specialties in a variety of settings.
  • Outstanding continuing education opportunities.
  • Professional autonomy.
  • Travel opportunities.
  • Steady increases in pay and allowances.
  • Regular progression in promotions and selection for positions of increasing responsibility.
  • Maintain seniority as you change locations and jobs.
  • Serve as an officer in the United States Army.
  • Practice in an all baccalaureate degree prepared Nurse Corps.

Educational Opportunities:

Additional nurse specialty training is offered to Army Nurses after graduation:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Critical Care / Emergency room
  • Psychiatric and Mental Health
  • Operating Room
  • Community Health

Advanced degree programs, funded by the Army, may be pursued in the following disciplines:

  • Nurse Anesthesia - Masters Degree
  • Nurse Midwifery - Masters Degree
  • Health Care Administration - Masters Degree
  • Nursing program of choice - Masters Degree
  • Clinical Nurse Practitioner - Masters Degree
  • Doctoral study in nursing science, education, or administration

Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP)

NSTP is an optional clinical elective, conducted the summer between your Junior and Senior years. Over 10 hospitals in the United States, Germany, and Hawaii are NSTP sites. During NSTP you will be introduced to the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of a new officer in the Army Nurse Corps. NSTP provides progressive clinical experiences and leadership opportunities, while working side by side with and Army Nurse.

See the UCM Catalog for information about the 

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

The SMP is a volunteer officer training program that allows Army National Guard and Army Reserve enlisted members to participate in the Advance ROTC Program. Upon completion of Basic Training, a reserve component soldier that is an academic sophomore can join ROTC and earn a commission as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation.

In addition, contracted non-scholarship ROTC cadets and Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) scholarship cadets can join a reserve component unit and the SMP. The intent of the SMP is to increase officer accessions into the Reserve Components by increasing ROTC enrollment from enlisted National Guard and Reserve members who are attending college.

What is SMP to me?

The SMP program provides:

  • An opportunity to gain both a commission as a Second Lieutenant and a college degree
  • Hands-on management and leadership training
  • An ROTC stipend as a contracted ROTC cadet plus E-5 drill pay as a serving Guardsmen or Reservist
  • Annual Training and ROTC Advanced Camp pay
  • Montgomery GI Bill and tuition assistance
  • An opportunity to win a reserve forces scholarship
  • An opportunity for volunteer training in Airborne, Air Assault, Northern or Mountain Warfare Training

Who is eligible?

Anyone who:

  • Has completed Basic Training
  • Is an academic sophomore
  • Is physically qualified
  • Is under 30 years of age upon commissioning (waiverable through age 34)
  • Has a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Has or agrees to have four years remaining on their current military obligation
  • Is a full time student
  • Is a U.S. citizen

What do I need to do to enroll in SMP?

The individual must:

  • Enlist in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve if not already a member
  • Discuss his/her interest with the unit commander, and gain a letter of acceptance into the SMP program and an endorsement from the unit to the professor of Military Science affirming your aptitude ability to become an officer.
  • Interview with the ROTC Recruiting Operations Officer or Professor of Military Science
  • Take a DoDMERB physical
  • Register for Military Science
  • Provide ROTC unit with:
    - Birth Certificate
    - Social Security Card
    - Copy of DD 214/220
    - DA 4836 if less than 4 years are left on your current enlistment
    - NGB 594-1 or DA 4892
    - APFT Card (DA 705)
    - Copy of your latest physical exam
    - Copy of transcripts and ACT/SAT scores

 

Green to Gold

If you are currently on active duty as an enlisted soldier Army ROTC can help you continue to grow and learn.  The Army Green to Gold program provides options for soldiers interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree and earning a commission as an Army Officer.

and will have completed two years of active duty service before school starts and are accepted by a college or university as either a freshman, sophomore, or junior, you can compete for a four-, three-or two-year scholarship. The deadline for applying is 1 April. Selection deadline is 20 May. 

Requirements

  • U.S. Citizen (non-waiverable)
  • Age - you must be under 31 years of age on 31 December of the year you complete all requirements for a commission. You must have acquired your bachelor's degree by this time. This is a statutory requirement and there are no waivers authorized.
  • No criminal convictions.
  • You must have served a minimum of two-years Active Duty as well as three months of Active Duty for every one month of specialized training (a waiver can be requested).
  • GT score of 110 or greater.
  • Pass the APFT within the last six months with score of 180 or higher, minimum of 60 points in each event.
  • High School Graduate or equivalent.
  • Cumulative High School or College GPA of 2.5.
  • Letter of Acceptance to School of Choice offering Army ROTC.
  • Letter of Acceptance from the PMS of that Army ROTC Battalion.
  • Favorable National Agency Check.
  • DODMERB Medical Qualification.
  • No more than three dependents including spouse (waiverable).
  • Four-year applicants must have a minimum ACT score of 19 or a minimum SAT score of 1000 (waiverable).

Distinguished Alumni

Distinguished Alum from the UCM Army ROTC Program:

Major General Troy D. Kok

Major General Troy D. Kok assumed command of the 99th Regional Support Command headquartered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) on 10 September, 2016. He previously served as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) at the United States Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

As the Commanding General of the 99th RSC, Major General Kok is responsible for administrative, logistics, and facilities support to more than 44,000 Army Reserve Soldiers across a region spanning thirteen Northeastern states. He also serves as the Senior Commander of JB MDL and US Army Base Fort Devens Training Facilities and Training Support.

He began his military career when he enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1982. He received his commission through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at Central Missouri State University as a Quartermaster Officer in 1984, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology in 1986. He received his Master of Science degree in Aviation Safety two years later, and as a First Lieutenant, he transferred to the Aviation branch while serving with the 219th Transportation Company at Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Illinois. Over his 34 year career, and over 26 years on Active Guard Reserve duty, Major General Kok had the opportunity to serve at over 10 duty locations including three separate Battalion commands.

Major General Kok was deployed in January 2003 with the 377th Theater Sustainment Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), serving as the Theater Transportation Officer in the Distribution Management Center. Major General Kok returned to Kuwait in January 2004 and served as Planning Officer for the Deployment / Redeployment Operations Center OIF I and II rotations. After completing his second tour, Major General Kok was selected to command the Bison Battalion, ROTC unit at Bucknell University, Pennsylvania, from 2005 to 2006, where he served as the Professor of Military Science. From 2006 to 2008, he commanded the 229th Aviation Regiment at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and a year later was assigned to serve as the Command Recruiting Officer of the 11th Aviation Command.

Major General Kok returned to Scott AFB from 2009 to 2011, where he served as the Deputy Director-Reserve Affairs and Deputy Commander-Joint Transportation Reserve at the United States Transportation Command. He was subsequently assigned to United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as Assistant Chief of Staff, G4, and Special Assistant to the CG. In 2012, Major General Kok was selected to command the 11th Theater Aviation Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and served as the Commander for Army Reserve Aviation leading to his previous assignment with USAREC as the DCG-S.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Senior Army Aviation Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Pathfinder Badge. He has attended numerous Army schools, including the Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Army War College, and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School.

Major General Kok resides in Kentucky with his wife and children.

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Arnold N. Gordon-Bray

Arnold N Gordon-Bray

President/Owner ANGB

Consulting LLC, 360 C2C

Brigadier General

US Army Retired

Arnold N. Gordon-Bray completed 30+ years of service in the United States Army where he demonstrated professional leadership skills in strategic communications, combat operations, foreign affairs and effective modernization in support of the Department of Defense and National Interests. He currently consults on Strategy, Operations, and humanitarian issues.

Gordon-Bray has extensive experience in commanding various levels of military forces from a platoon of 40 military service members to spearheading military operations in Iraq with a Brigade Combat Team consisting of over 4,500 men and women with the 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.  He has transitioned his global Strategic views on issues of leadership, diversity, veteran’s needs and education across America.

He has also held staff positions at virtually every level including: a Division Chief in the Joint Special Operations command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, The Directorate in The installation Management Command (IMCOM), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, for all Army bases World-wide and culminated his career in a 4-Star Headquarters (AFRICOM) as Deputy Director for Operations. Throughout his career he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the toughest environments. General Gordon-Bray was a direct contributor to the War in Iraq where he fought and provided unique insights about transitioning. During the surge of 2007, as Principal Advisor to the Iraqi Ground Forces Commander, he aided in transforming 35,000 Iraqis into a force of 300,000 with 6 Divisions capable of functioning independently. Gordon-Bray had direct responsibility for training and mentoring Lieutenant General Ali, who later became the longest tenured military leader in the new Iraqi Army. In addition to conventional concepts of warfighting, General Gordon-Bray was vital in providing initial thoughts on AFRICOM operations and end-state for Odyssey Dawn—the first large-scale regional operation for AFRICOM. A broad thinker, his strategic input and leadership skills were routinely employed in establishing US relationships with African Leaders and US State Department personnel, often operating at the behest of other Directorates or the Combatant Commander.

General Gordon-Bray is also an effective leader with extensive skills in modernization and experimentation. As a Colonel, he developed and led the Army’s Experimentation Community of Practice, a diverse team of over 1000 operators, experimenters and innovative developers. He also led, managed, resourced and synchronized over 100 Joint and Army experiments involving thousands of participants that ultimately developed and refined the modular Army and its current successor.

Education: Master of Arts, National Security & Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Rhode Island Master of Science, International Strategic Studies, Air War College, Alabama Bachelor of Science, Art, University of Central Missouri.  Additionally, He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Awards & Qualifications: Airborne Ranger with numerous awards and badges including the Army Defense Meritorious Service Medal (The Army’s highest peacetime award) the Defense Superior Service Medal, (3) Legions of Merit, (7) Meritorious Service Medals and two bronze stars.  He is a certified Instructor and Holds a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma.

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