Washington University's Army ROTC Program: Challenges and Opportunities
Washington University in St. Louis faces challenges with its Army ROTC program, including conflicting messages regarding academic credit and declining student participation. Despite this, the ROTC program aims to select, educate, and train future Army officers. The university prides itself on offering a diverse academic experience. Changes have occurred since the late 1960s, with shifts in attitudes towards ROTC.
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Washington Universitys Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) The Gateway Battalion Gateway Battalion Army ROTC 1
Agenda Introduction Mission Perspective Curriculum Conclusion Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Problem Statement Washington University sends conflicting messages to the student body and broader community by retaining its Army ROTC program while not recognizing the worth of the curriculum or the efforts of its students by withholding academic credit At the same time the nation needs the best and brightest leaders in public service, Washington University student participation in ROTC has plummeted in the last 45 years Many negative stereotypes and ignorance toward ROTC and/or the military still exist on this campus Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Our Missions Are Not Dissimilar Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a great university experience filled with knowledge, discoveries and service. Through more than 90 programs and 1,500 courses, we help you develop intellectually, personally and professionally. The choices and challenges are yours. . . . and you can explore them all because crossing academic boundaries is a Washington University specialty. http://wustl.edu/admissions/ Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Mission of ROTC : Select, educate, train, and commission college students to be officers and leaders of character in the Army; instill the values of citizenship, national and community service, and personal responsibility. Desired Competencies: Character and Accountability Adaptability and Initiative Communication and Engagement Teamwork and Collaboration Comprehensive Fitness Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Cultural Competence Tactical and Technical Competence Lifelong Learner Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
We Are Among The Ten Elite Host ROTC Schools 1. Princeton 2. Duke 3. MIT (PE credits) 4. Johns Hopkins 5. Washington University* 6. Cornell 7. Vanderbilt 8. Notre Dame 9. Georgetown 10.Berkeley 2013 Commissioning Ceremony at WUSTL Bold = Schools granting academic credit for Military Science and Leadership courses *Students majoring in Engineering receive academic credit for MSL 300 & 400 courses Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
A Lot Has Changed Since We Last Met: 1968: A&S vote to withdraw ROTC credit Feb., 1970: Arsonists burn Army ROTC & throw cherry bombs at STL firemen May, 1970: In wake of Kent State, arsonists burn Air Force ROTC building while students raise the Viet Cong flag & throw rocks at STL firemen Late 1960s /early 1970s: several universities ban ROTC 1970: Army ROTC moved to mid-town ; then the Academy bldg in 1978 ; then North Campus in 2004. SLU takes Air Force ROTC 1973: Begin All-Volunteer Military 1976: Service Academes integrate women 1980s: U.S. Military transforms its approach to training, education, and professional development 1986: Cadet Command established End of Cold War present day: An era of near constant armed conflict 2011: Repeal of Don t Ask, Don t Tell 2013: A&S agrees to review ROTC credit Arsonists burn ROTC buildings at WUSTL Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Wash U ROTC Enrollment 1970 to 2013 1968 Vote to withdraw academic credit A nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its laws made by cowards and its wars fought by fools. 60 1970 Moved off campus after arson attack 1978 ROTC Moved to Academy Building 50 Thucydides 1988 SLU overtakes WU; begin teaching on SLU 40 2004 Moved to North Campus 30 Series1 WU ROTC 20 AVE enrollment since 2000: 22 2013: 12 10 AVE Freshmen: 7 2013: 2 0 1970 1981 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 2013 91 National Scholarships = $18,200,000 (does not include 3 or 2 yr scholarships) Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
An Unhealthy Disconnect ROTC was not created by President Wilson to militarize college campuses; it was created to liberalize the Army. Commissioned officers are devoted to selfless service to the nation. They swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. If you want to change the military, educate its leaders Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Healing Recent Facebook comments: Look what I saw on WashU's campus. Richard Goldblatt Proudly displayed on the heart of campus where it should be! Good for this old soldier to see. Wouldn't have happened when I went through the program '76 - '78. John Mark Atkins Okay who twisted the administration's arm to do this? I stopped giving to the university because of the way they treated ROTC. I thought this would never happen LA '82. Walk-in perspective student: #2 of 402; she wants to study bio-medical engineering and is interested in ROTC. Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Curriculum One 3-hr MSL course per semester with lab, physical fitness, and field training requirements ~ 15 hours per week Service learning model connects theory with application and practice Professor of Military Science: Board selected Master s degree or higher Recent operational experience Proven career success Instructor certification MSL 300 and 400 level courses: MSL 301 Three formal leadership position assessments, oral briefings, term paper, mid- term, final exam. ~ 30 pages of reading per class Six week leadership evaluation and training experience between junior and senior year MSL 401 Semester-long formal leadership position assessment, oral briefings, book review, mid-term, final exam; responsible for planning, executing and assessing training, assessing and mentoring underclassmen. ~ 60 pages of reading per class Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Cultural Exchange and Language Proficiency Program 2013: Croatia, Panama, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Korea 2014: Dominica, Tanzania, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
"Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or another. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not." -- John Adams Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Conclusion We respectfully request that the Academic Committee grant academic credit for Military Science and Leadership (MSL) 300 and 400 courses and offer Physical Education credits for MSL100 and 200 level courses for a total of twelve academic credits and four PE credits or explain what changes are required to meet academic standards worthy of credit for MSL courses. Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
Questions? Gateway Battalion Army ROTC
