The Consortium of Universities of
the Washington Metropolitan Area

Georgetown University is a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The other member institutions are American University, Catholic University, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Howard University, Marymount University, National Defense University, Southeastern University, Trinity University, the University of the District of Columbia, the University of Maryland at College Park, and the Corcoran College of Art and Design.

Although the primary purpose of the Consortium is the improvement of graduate education in the District of Columbia, undergraduate students are also eligible to participate according to the regulations listed below.

POLICIES

1. Undergraduate students will be allowed to participate in the Consortium only to the extent that courses taken are not available at the home university.
2. The student must be a degree candidate at Georgetown.
3. Courses taken in the Consortium should be in the area of “enrichment.” Ordinarily, a student will not be allowed to take part of his/her major requirements at another university.
4. An undergraduate student must have the written approval of the Dean of his/her school before registration through the Consortium will be allowed.
5. A student must be in the junior or senior year before being allowed to register through the Consortium. It is understood that in cases involving language study (exclusive of elementary and intermediate level French, German, Russian, Spanish) first-year and sophomore students may be involved.
6. Normally, a total of four Consortium courses is the maximum acceptable toward fulfilling degree requirements at Georgetown.
7. Registration procedures are found in the semester’s schedule of classes.
8. Georgetown students are not permitted to audit Consortium courses.
9. Physical Education courses may not be taken through the Consortium.

1. Grades received in Consortium courses will not affect the student’s class rank or grade average at Georgetown, although the credits will be accepted in fulfillment of degree requirements.
2. Grades will stand as given by the host university.
3. All grades given by the host university will appear without quality points on the Georgetown transcript.
4. Incomplete grades (N Grades) are to be governed according to the schedule and regulations published in the Georgetown Undergraduate Bulletin.

1. Students withdrawing from Consortium courses must follow official procedures of Georgetown University, i.e., completing an add/drop form with the dean, and also notifying the Georgetown University Consortium Coordinator by e-mail to univregistrar@georgetown.edu.
2. The final date for withdrawal is FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF CLASS.

Air Force ROTC is available to students through Howard University and Navy ROTC through George Washington University. Academic credit will be granted for specifically approved ROTC courses to a maximum of three courses (nine credits).

The following courses have been approved for credit effective September 1, 1985:

Students must register for ROTC courses at semester’s start through Georgetown’s Consortium Coordinator.

HISTORY

Since the early nineteenth century, Georgetown University’s ethic of service to the nation has included the training of military officers. It was formalized in 1852 when the Reverend James Clark, a West Point graduate, arrived at Georgetown to expand the existing officer training program. During the American Civil War, University graduates served in both the Union and the Confederate armies. After the war, officer training at the nation’s oldest Roman Catholic university was reduced to reflect the relative lack of external threat to our nation as it expanded across the continent. However, university officials quickly organized a Cadet Corps after the outbreak of war between Germany and the U.S. in April 1917. In February 1918, the War Department officially established the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Georgetown University. Since that time, over 4,000 men and women have been commissioned from the Georgetown University ROTC Program. Today, Georgetown University ROTC graduates continue to serve with pride in the finest tradition of the Georgetown heritage and in the interest of our nation’s security.

PURPOSE AND APPROACH

The Georgetown University ROTC Program consists of structured study in the field of military science. Its primary objective is to prepare those students with leadership potential to serve as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army’s Active and Reserve Components. In accomplishing this objective, the citizen-soldier relationship, ingrained as part of the American heritage, is fostered in a collegiate environment. In the classroom and during practical exercises, students are challenged to demonstrate the leadership abilities necessary to serve as future leaders and managers of human and material resources.

ENROLLMENT CRITERIA

Enrollment in the first two years of Military Science is open to all students--it is an elective program. Credit hours are not awarded for the freshmen through junior classes, although grades will appear on the transcript. The senior classes (MLSC-251 and 252) are three credit hours each and do count toward degree completion as elective credit. No service obligation is incurred from enrolling in Army ROTC during your first or sophomore year. Courses can be dropped or added like any elective course. To be eligible for contracting and commissioning, as a minimum, a student must be of good character, be in good health, be a United States citizen before contracting (usually by junior year), and be approved by the ROTC Program Director.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM

The four-year program is organized into two successive phases--the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. For students seeking the opportunity to earn a commission as an officer, there are several entry methods and participation strategies that can be used as long as the student initiates participation before the end of their sophomore year (a minimum of four semesters must remain in the student’s academic curriculum to complete commissioning requirements).

The Basic Course is a four-course series, usually taken in the freshmen and sophomore years (MLSC-111, 112, 113, 114: Leadership Skills I through IV). The MLSC-111, 112, 113, and 115 classes are 5 credits each. The Basic Course trains students in such topics as leadership theory, management skills, time management, and military roles and national objectives. In addition, applied topics such as map reading, land navigation, first aid topics, physical fitness and health topics, writing memoranda, giving briefings, and more are also taught. Each lecture class meets once per week for 75 minutes. Uniforms and equipment are also issued (loaned) to students at no cost. While only one or two sections are listed per MLSC class, small sections or individual tutorials are offered as necessary when scheduling conflicts exist.

The Army ROTC program has numerous experiential aspects beyond attending lecture classes. Leadership Laboratory (Lab or Drill) encompasses several different activities. Students enrolling in any ROTC lecture class must enroll in the required lab section; although the Director, ROTC can dismiss Lab enrollment in certain circumstances (scheduling conflicts in a major class, etc.). All Lab sections meet as a combined unit on Thursday mornings from 6:50 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. During this time, the unit trains in a variety of hands-on, practical, military tasks from drill and ceremonies to squad and platoon tactics scenarios. Training is often lively, realistic, and fun; it builds upon the previous weeks skills while emphasizing the next leadership skills required to conduct the events.

Other experiential aspects of Leadership Laboratory include Field Training Exercises (FTXs) and Physical Training (PT). FTXs involve some type of training on a weekend day at a nearby military base and usually center around such interesting and practical events as rappelling, rifle marksmanship, problem-solving obstacle courses, and simulated tactical battles. While cadets are required to participate in one FTX per semester, all are welcome to go beyond that obligation and take advantage of the numerous extra training opportunities available. PT classes are conducted three mornings per week from 6:50 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., at Yates Field House. Basic Course students are expected to attend two PT sessions per week. Physical training for Basic Course students can be waived in certain circumstances, and Army PT standards do not have to be met until the junior year. Over the four-year program, there are progressive requirements for meeting physical fitness standards, weight limits, and assumed leadership positions. A student must be academically successful to be able to participate and complete ROTC. Therefore, the highest academic standards are strongly emphasized.

Army ROTC organizes numerous optional adventure and social events. A battlefield visit is offered every year, usually to a local Civil War battlefield. The unit has an organized Color Guard, which performs ceremonial duties both on and off campus, sometimes for notable national figures around Washington, and a Ranger Club, which focuses on enhancing cadets tactical knowledge and skills. Airborne and Air Assault training among other Army formal schools are available to some enrolled cadets. Enrolled students typically become progressively involved to enhance their training; develop esprit de corps, and participate for the fun and social opportunities.

The Advanced Course consists of a four-course series taken during the junior and senior years (MLSC-211, 212, 251, & 252). The MLSC-211, 212 classes are 5 credits each. The MLSC-251 and 252 classes are three credits each. Depending on the school in which the cadet is enrolled, the six courses in the first three years of the program may together count for one course. Normally, Advanced Course cadets contract to become commissioned officers and thus incur some type of service obligation upon graduation and commissioning.

The 200-level courses emphasize squad and platoon leadership, tactics, and preparation for Advanced Camp. Advanced Camp is a five-week training and evaluation activity required of contracted students. Cadets attend in the summer between their junior and senior years. A salary, travel expenses, and room and board are all provided during Camp. Advanced Camp is a critical hurdle that students must pass to receive a commission.

There are also Professional Military Education requirements. Contracted cadets must take and pass courses in written communications, computer literacy, and American military history. These courses come from the general course offerings at the university and may fulfill both the student’s general education (elective) and academic major requirements.

Since all students initially may enroll in ROTC classes, a student wishing to take an upper-level course must seek enrollment approval from the ROTC Director or instructor. Prerequisites do exist for upper-level courses. Course requirements may be established between the Director of ROTC, and the student to tailor the class to the student’s interests and needs.

The senior-level courses are considered the “Transition to Lieutenant” phase. The courses focus on staff operations, logistics, military law, and ethics. Seniors are expected to organize and attend an additional one hour staff and training meeting per week as part of their leadership experience and duties. Planning and implementation of training become the primary focus for seniors in Leadership Laboratory.

METHODS FOR COMPLETING PROGRAM AND
EARNING A COMMISSION

Students who enter Army ROTC to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation can choose from several methods: A student may complete the four-year program; the freshmen and sophomore classes may be compressed into the sophomore year; a veteran may enter directly into the junior year (when academically aligned as a junior); and a sophomore student may attend a five-week Basic Camp between their sophomore and junior years to gain experience equivalent to the Basic Course. Graduate students and resident aliens who become U.S. citizens by a certain time may become commissioned officers. Students who complete the ROTC program may take up to two years to complete their baccalaureate studies.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Four to two-year scholarships are available to students in all majors. Scholarships cover full tuition, and also include $600 per year for books and mandatory fees, all tax free. In addition, scholarship students are paid a stipend of $250-400 per month (up to $2,000–4,000 per year) based on Military Science year. On campus scholarship applications can be submitted year round. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis (minimum 2.5 cum GPA to apply and under age 30 when graduating).

There is also a two-year Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) Scholarship available that guarantees Reserve Duty upon graduation and commissioning (no active duty tour). Contact the Director, ROTC, to determine eligibility. Four-year scholarships are available for high school students, but they must apply by November 15th of their senior year for a scholarship that starts in the Fall semester of their freshman year. Call 1-800-USA-ROTC for details and application.

Many students participate in ROTC as “non-scholarship” cadets. A non-scholarship cadet does not have to contract to receive a commission until the junior year. For the junior and senior year, non-scholarship, contracted students still receive the $350–400 per month stipend respectively for the school year (maximum $3,500–4,000. Non-scholarship, contracted cadets may also participate in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve in a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) for additional benefits and experience.

Georgetown University Army ROTC is designated the “Hoya Battalion.” Contact the Enrollment and Scholarship Officer, ROTC, at (202) 687-7056/7065 (Fax: 1109).

Undergraduate Bulletin 2009-2010 Table of Contents
Copyright 2009, Georgetown University.