Military Science (MILS)

Military Science/ Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a multi-year program designed to prepare college students as leaders and make possible the commission of military officers into the United States Army, Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. The courses are centered on the development of 16 leadership dimensions.   

All Bucknell students may enroll and attend the first-year and sophomore level classes with the only requirement being class attendance (one hour weekly for first-year students, two hours weekly for sophomore). Bucknell students attending military science classes as students are not part of the formal ROTC program.

ROTC scholarship first-year students and ROTC non-scholarship first- and second-year students may enroll on a trial basis with no commitment to the military. Students may leave the program or continue with advanced courses to earn a commission as an officer upon graduation.

The program is intended to start with new first-year students each fall; it is possible to enter the program as late as spring of the sophomore year. Students with prior military service or those who complete a 28-day summer training program may bypass the first-year and sophomore-level training.

Various types and lengths of scholarships are available, some of which can guarantee duty in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Scholarship Cadets receive FULL tuition, a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month, and a book allowance of $1,200 a year. Bucknell University pays room and board for their Scholarship Cadets who are living on campus.

Contracted non-scholarship Cadets receive a subsistence allowance of up to $500 a month.

ROTC program requirements include a 30-day summer training course between the junior and senior years. Opportunities exist for other specialized summer training such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, Internships with Active Duty Army units and Federal government agencies. A 30-day optional Culture Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) overseas experience is available to cadets. Over the past few years, Bucknell cadets have traveled over the summer to numerous countries including France, Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, China, Albania, Vietnam, and Italy.  

The time commitment for first- and second-year Cadets during the school year is approximately six hours a week. For third- and fourth-year Cadets, the time commitment is approximately 10 hours a week. Time is spent on weekly classes, physical training, monthly leadership labs, and a once-a-semester field training exercise.

Courses in Military Science do not carry credit toward the academic courses required for a degree. However, credit for one elective course may be granted upon request for satisfactory completion of the advanced course.

For more information, contact the ROTC department at 570-577-1013 or 570-577-1246.

Faculty

Director: MAJ Michael Kavadias

Senior Instructor: MSG Sean McGlensey

Instructors: CPT Jeff Cherry, SFC Jeff Garland, LT COL (Retired) Andy Mahoney, CPT Garrett Ruud