SROTC program orientation today, tomorrow

Individuals interested in learning more about the Senior ROTC program may attend one of two orientation sessions scheduled today, Aug. 18, and tomorrow, Aug. 19.

In today’s session, individuals may attend the SROTC orientation at the Northern Marianas College from 4pm to 5pm. On Friday, individuals may attend the orientation from 1pm to 2pm.Call David Attao for more information at 234-5498, Extension 1014.

In light of the growing popularity of Military Science courses and Junior ROTC courses throughout all public high schools in the CNMI, the NMC, U.S. Army, and University of Guam reestablished a previous relationship to deliver UoG Military Science Courses at NMC. The military science courses and senior ROTC program 2005 is a U.S. Army program designed to train future commissioned Army officers. All courses require leadership labs, participation in ROTC physical fitness program, and a weekend field training exercise.

The first course, MSL 101 Foundations of Officership, is scheduled to start in the fall of 2005. It is a two-credit course designed to introduce students to issues and competencies that are central to a commissioned officer’s responsibilities. These initial lessons establish a framework for understanding officership, leadership, and Army values.

Course number 2 is MSL 102 Basic Leadership and is set for the spring of 2006. This two-credit course expands on MSL 101 and focuses on communications, leadership, and problem solving. It is designed to further broaden the introduction to the Army as well as to the leadership skills needed by an Army officer.

The third two-credit course is MSL 201 Individual Leadership Studies. Students learn and apply ethics-based leadership skills that develop individual abilities and contribute to the building of effective teams of people. They develop skills in oral presentation, effective writing, and coordination of group efforts, first aid, land navigation, and basic military tactics.

The last two-credit military science course offered through NMC is MSL 202 Leadership and Teamwork. This course serves as an introduction to individual and team aspects of military tactics in small unit operations. It includes use of radio communications, movement techniques, security, and pre-execution checks, as well as practical exercises with upper level ROTC students in a field environment.

“Currently at UoG, a majority of the officers we commission for the U.S. Army come from the CNMI,” according to U.S. Army and UoG Military Science instructor Major Frank Tominez. “The CNMI has a host of individuals who are student athletes and leaders that the U.S. Army is looking for. Once an individual becomes commissioned, he or she sits in the elite status of the U.S. Army and is compensated really well.”

In order for a student to qualify for a military science course, the student must be a full-time NMC student and pay an additional SROTC fee. For more information, contact David Attao of CDI at 234-5498, Extension 1014.