WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Missouri State University-West Plains will, for the first time in campus history, offer a military course during the 2013 spring semester.
Introduction to Basic Military Skills (MIL 102) is a two-credit-hour class that will be offered via interactive television (ITV) from Missouri State’s Springfield campus from 11 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. It will be taught by Assistant Professor of Military Science Maj. Timothy McCloud Jr.
The course is open to anyone who would like to know more about careers as United States Army officers, leadership and the Army in general, not just those interested or involved in ROTC programs, according to Lt. Col. Troy S. Wisdom, commander and professor of military science at Missouri State in Springfield. Topics that will be covered include ethics, leadership, marksmanship, rappelling and other skills and techniques utilized by the Army, he added.
The key objective of the course is to explore in more detail the Army’s leadership philosophy and learn fundamental concepts, according to the course syllabus. The class will give an overview of leadership fundamentals, such as setting direction, problem-solving, listening, presenting briefs, providing feedback, and using effective writing skills. Students also will explore dimensions of leadership attributes and core leader competencies in the context of practical, hands-on and interactive exercises.
Two class trips to the Springfield campus will be taken during the semester for the marksmanship and rappelling elements of the course, university officials noted, adding transportation will be provided.
Dr. Christopher Dyer, dean of academic affairs at Missouri State-West Plains, said the course is being offered this spring to see if there is an interest in additional prerequisite courses for transferring into Missouri State University’s ROTC program.
For more information, contact Dyer at 417-255-7272 or visit the Missouri State University’s Military Science Department’s website at http://www.missouristate.edu/milsci/.