Justin Ottenwalter, Major, Chairperson of the Department; term ends June 30, 2025.

Department Office

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Army; 125 Hickey Gymnasium; 530-752-5211; Faculty

Program of Study

The Military Science Department is a classroom and hands-on leadership and management program. The program stresses the following Army Values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. We cover the basics of the Army, including Army ranks, organizational structure, basic skills, and tactics. We also discuss current events, national and international politics, military affairs, ethics, and human relations. Military skills (such as drill and ceremony, map reading, and squad tactics) are taught to the extent necessary to create an environment where students can enter leadership positions and apply theories taught in the classroom. The program assists students in all academic fields to prepare for positions of leadership in military or civilian careers.

The department offers two program tracks: (1) a purely academic track; (2) a pre-commissioning track for those desiring a commission as an Officer in the Active Duty U.S. Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserves. The academic track entails no obligation to the military and is open to all students but is limited to MSC 012 and MSC 022B. Students pursuing the academic track do not wear a uniform or otherwise participate in extra-curricular activities designed as part of the pre-commissioning process.

Students who desire a commission in the U.S. Army participate in both the academic portion of the program and in the leadership laboratories and extra-curricular activities designed to enhance their military leadership and tactical and technical skills. They wear uniforms to leadership laboratories and selected classes and become ROTC cadets. Students may be cadets in the lower division courses without incurring a military obligation. Students must contract with ROTC to participate in the upper division pre-commissioning program and incur a military obligation. Extracurricular activities for cadets include an intercollegiate sports team (Ranger Challenge), the university color guard, a military honor society, and opportunities to participate in field training exercises.

Department Programs

Students are enrolled in Military Science under one of two programs.

Four-Year Program

There is no military obligation associated with attendance in lower division courses. Students are enrolled in the basic course (lower division) for the first two years on a voluntary basis. Admission to the advanced course (upper division) is by application from second-year lower division students who meet the academic, physical, and military aptitude requirements. Qualified veterans can enter the advanced course immediately based on of their military service experience and graduation from Basic Training, upon approval by the Department Chairperson.

During the course, all Military Science textbooks, uniforms and equipment are provided without cost. Contracted students are given leadership development experience at the ROTC Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky, between their third and fourth years of the course. Emphasis is on military fitness, tactics, and leadership.

Two-Year Program

The two-year program is for students, including graduate students, who have not attended lower division Military Science classes. In lieu of lower division courses an applicant attends a six-week summer program, Basic Camp, which is voluntary and carries no military obligation. Basic Camp attendees are paid and transportation costs are covered. Applications are accepted at any time prior to the student's junior year; graduate students are also accepted, as long as they have two years of academics remaining.

Scholarship Program

There are three- and two-year scholarship opportunities available at the discretion of the Department Chairperson that covers full tuition and fees and $1200 annually for books. Cadets also receive a $420 monthly stipend.

Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps four-year Active Duty merit scholarships are awarded to qualified high school seniors in a national competition each year. As high school seniors, students compete for the scholarship by submitting a complete application at Army ROTC.

If high school seniors are not awarded the four-year National Scholarship, there are still opportunities for campus-based three and two-year scholarships.

Leadership Laboratory

During the course of the school year, two hours per week are spent conducting practical exercises. Classes emphasize adventure activities including military offense, defense and patrolling, operations, weapons familiarization, rappelling, leadership scenarios, and land navigation. All cadets are required to attend leadership laboratories for practical leadership experience and to prepare for attendance at Advanced Camp.

Academic Credit

College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

The Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture requires the completion of 180 units. Military Science courses are counted in the unit allowance for electives.

College of Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science degree requires the completion of 180 units. Military Science courses are counted in the allowance for electives.

College of Engineering

Military Science units are acceptable toward the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree to the extent of the unrestricted elective units available in the curriculum being followed. 

College of Letters & Science

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees require the completion of 180 units. Military Science courses are counted in the allowance for electives.

School of Veterinary Medicine

The number of Military Science units acceptable toward the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine is on an individual program basis approved by the Dean of the School. Graduates with the D.V.M. degree may apply for a direct commission in the United States Army Veterinary Corps.

Aerospace Studies (Air Force)

The Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (AFROTC) is an educational program providing training in leadership, management, communications and military proficiency on college and university campuses. It also provides an opportunity to obtain a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force and enter the active-duty forces after you complete a bachelor’s or a graduate degree. The skills you acquire will become valuable assets for any subsequent career you choose.

The program is normally four years long, but a flexible design allows students to complete the curriculum in as little as two years. Undergraduate scholarships are available, but are not necessary for participation. Until you accept a scholarship or enter your junior year of the program, you have no obligation to join the Air Force. There are no costs for AFROTC uniforms, books, or classes.

UC Davis students have the option of taking the Air Force program on the UC Berkeley or CSU Sacramento campus.

Qualifications

Freshmen/Sophomore applicants must:

• Be full-time college students in good academic standing
• Have good moral character
• Be in strong physical condition
• Be at least 14 years old

Additionally, Juniors/Seniors/Scholarship recipients must:

• Be United States citizens or in the process of applying for citizenship
• Be 18 years old (or 17 years old with the consent of parent or guardian)
• Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
• Pass a medical examination
• Be under the age of 31 at time of graduation (may be waived)

Scholarships

Opportunities for four-year and three-year undergraduate scholarships are better than ever. Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, books and required fees at the University of California and are available for eligible high school seniors. It also includes $300-$500 monthly stipend during the school year. If you are a junior or senior in high school and plan on attending a college or university in Northern California, you can write, call or visit the local AFROTC detachments for a scholarship application. Applications are also available from local Air Force recruiters or your high school guidance counselors.

All scholarships are merit-based and consider a variety of factors: cumulative GPA, class standing, SAT/ACT scores, academic awards/achievements, leadership ability, athletic involvement, extracurricular activities, community service and letters of recommendation. A personal interview with an Air Force officer is also part of the application process. Prior to activating a scholarship, students must meet AFROTC medical and physical fitness standards. All scholarships must be used at an accredited college or university that offers AFROTC on campus or through cross-registration. The program is available at more than 1,000 universities and colleges nationwide.

If you are already in college, contact our office directly and apply for enrollment into AFROTC as a cadet. Three- and two-year full-tuition scholarships are available for all academic majors, especially scientific and technical majors such as engineering, atmospheric science, math, computer science, and physics. GPA Scholarship requirements for nontechnical majors are slightly higher. Applicants are primarily evaluated on their leadership ability and academic performance.

Challenging Careers

All commissioned officers enter the Air Force as second lieutenants for a 4-year active duty service commitment. Pilots and navigators serve longer commitments, based on training requirements. Once on active duty, you’ll be given instant responsibility in one of 32 primary career fields. Opportunities to fly are better than ever. Whether you are piloting the F-22 fighter, supervising 150 aircraft maintainers on the flightline, or caring for sick personnel in the emergency room, you will be rewarded knowing that you are making a difference.

Air Force ROTC is offered through the Aerospace Studies departments at California State University Sacramento and U.C. Berkeley. Scholarships (including tuition, book allowance, and stipend) are available for qualified students. Students may enroll and attend one course per semester at the U.C. Berkeley or CSU Sacramento campus at no cost. Topics covered in AFROTC courses include Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force (1-credit), Team and Leadership Fundamentals (1-credit), Leading People and Effective Communication (3-credits), and U.S. National Security Affairs and Preparation for Active Duty (3-credits). Additional components of the AFROTC program include 2 hours per week of fitness activities, 2 hours per week of Leadership Lab, and a 2-week Summer Field Training between the sophomore and junior years. Upon completion of the program and granting of 4-year degree, students will commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force. To be eligible for AFROTC, applicants should be a full time student and meet additional fitness, GPA, testing, and other requirements. Interested students, please contact their department of choice:

• CSU Sacramento ROTC; 916-278-7315 or 916-278-7449; email
• UC Berkeley Air Force ROTC; 510-642-3572; email

Department of Naval Science

152 Hearst Gymnasium; UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94270-3640; 510-642-3551; UC Berkeley Naval ROTC

UC Davis students may participate in the Navy and Marine Corps ROTC program at UC Berkeley. The program is 4 years long and includes courses and weekly professional development laboratories (drill) at UC Berkeley. Students normally compete for national scholarships as high school seniors, although interested students may enroll as freshmen or sophomores and compete for scholarships based on successful participation in the program. A student who satisfactorily completes an ROTC program and is awarded a degree from UC Davis receives an active duty commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps or an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Navy option students take the following courses:

Freshman Year

• NS 1 Introduction to Naval Science
• NS 2 Sea Power and Maritime Affairs

Sophomore Year

• NS 3 Leadership and Management
• NS 10 Naval Ship Systems I

Junior Year

• NS 12A Navigation and Naval Operations I
• NS 12B Navigation and Naval Operations II

Senior Year

• NS 401 Naval Ship Systems II
• NS 412 Leadership and Ethics

In lieu of NS401, NS10, NS12A and NS12B, Marine Corps students participate in Marine Seminars and complete MA154, History of Littoral Warfare and MA20, Evolution of Warfare (or a designated equivalent).

Scholarship students are required to complete a number of other courses at Davis, including one year each of calculus, physics, and English, and one quarter each of computer science, and military history or national security policy.

Interested students should contact the Department of Naval Science at UC Berkeley at the address above to obtain information and apply.

Military Science (MSC)