The mission of the Gonzaga University Bulldog Military Science Department is to commission the future officer leadership of the U.S. Army and motivate young people to become better citizens.    The first informal Cadet Detachment at Gonzaga University was established in 1897.  The modern day program was initiated in 1947.  Two Partnership Agreements exist with Whitworth College (WWU) and the Intercollegiate College of Nursing (ICN).  For several years we have successfully accomplished our mission and objectives and we anticipate that we will continue to do so because of the high caliber cadets, cadre, and alumni, and the strong university support and incentives.  The student-cadets are exceptional performers in academics, leadership training and development, campus activities, and community service.  The universities and our world-class cadre are dedicated to the mission and cadets.

  

The Program

         The program has been designed to meet the country's requirement for officer-leaders in the Army (Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves). It is, therefore, multifaceted with distinctive sub-elements to meet individual needs and requirements. For example, ROTC is traditionally a four-year program, but individuals with prior service, members of reserve or National Guard units, participants of JROTC in high school, and summer basic camp attendees may receive advanced placement credit and complete the program in two years. Normally all students enroll in one Military Science course and leadership laboratory per semester. Physical fitness of all cadets is closely monitored. The program consists of two phases: the Basic Course (Lower Division), normally taken during the Freshman and Sophomore years or obtained through advanced placement credit, and the Advanced Course (Upper Division).

Basic Course 

The Basic Course refers to first and second year courses, MILS 101, 102, 201 and 202, which are designed for beginning students who want to qualify for entry into the Advanced Course and for those students who may want to try Military Science without obligations. In addition to their academic requirements, Basic Course cadets may participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. Placement credit for the Basic Course may be granted to students who have completed initial entry training for the Armed Forces, three years of Junior ROTC in High School or ROTC Basic Camp. MILS 101 and 102 concentrate on outdoor skills and provide an overview of how the Military fits into society. MILS 201 and 202 more thoroughly address the heritage, traditions, and organization of the United States Army.

Advanced Course

The Advanced Course consists of MILS 301, 302, 401, and 402. It is only open to students who have completed the Basic Course or earned placement credit (various methods). Students must also enroll in Leadership Lab (301L-402L). Students also attend a five-week ROTC Advanced Camp during the summer between their junior and senior years. In addition to their academic requirements, the Advanced Course cadets provide the student leadership for the Gonzaga Cadet Battalion.

Completion of the Basic and Advanced Courses qualifies the cadet to apply for a commission in the United States Army. The student may be able to influence whether his or her service will be on active duty or in the reserves through grades, camp performance, and campus participation.

The Prestige

Gonzaga's ROTC program consistently ranks among the country's most elite programs based on various measures, including academic performance, Leadership Development and Assessment Course scores (formerly NALC), and the number of Lieutenants commissioned each year.  The United States Army Cadet Command ranked the Gonzaga Bulldog Battalion among the top fifteen percent of the nation's ROTC programs in 2001, 2002 and 2003.  Additionally, the Gonzaga Class of 2003 earned the highest collective leadership score out of the 270 universities that sent cadets to Camp.

In 1995 and 1997, the Bulldog Battalion was awarded the Founders and Patriots of America Award for being the best unit in the region west of the Mississippi River.  This annual award is given jointly by the National Order of Founders and Patriots and US Army Cadet Command to recognize the most outstanding battalions within each of the three regions.

As the premier medium-sized unit in the region, the Bulldog Battalion was presented the 1996 and 1998 General Douglas MacArthur Award.  This award recognized the top battalions in each of the three regions.

The Particulars

Once a student has been admitted to Gonzaga University, they must meet only a few basic requirements to participate in the ROTC Basic Course.  However, to participate in the Advanced Course or earn an ROTC Scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria.

      * Be a U.S. citizen

      * Be at least 17 years old by October 1 of the year for which he or she is applying 

          for scholarship and under age 26 by June 30 of the year of graduation

          (This age limit may be extended up to four years for those with prior service)

     

      * Be able to complete all commissioning and graduation (degree requirements)

      * By physically fit and medically qualified

      * Achieve minimum SAT/ACT scores of 920/19 respectively. (Note these scores

         are a national standard and representative of the typical scores needed to obtain

         admission to Gonzaga University.)

The Privileges

Gonzaga'a Military Science Department augments the national ROTC scholarships:

      * Scholarships are merit-based and awarded competitively.  Well-rounded

          individuals with strong backgrounds in academics, athletics, and leadership

          positions have the best opportunity to earn scholarships.

      *  Recipients of the ROTC scholarships who are 

          admitted to Gonzaga are guaranteed full tuition and on-campus room and

          board waivers for the length of the scholarship.

      *  Recipients of the two or three-year on campus ROTC scholarships which

          students may apply for after enrolling at Gonzaga are guaranteed full tuition

          and on-campus room and board waivers for the length of the scholarship.

      *  Students not awarded the four-year scholarship but still interested in military

          science may apply for two- or three-year scholarships after enrolling at GU.

The People

           Gonzaga University's Military Science Department is comprised of commissioned and enlisted advisors with expertise in numerous fields.  The cadre members, like the cadets, come from all educational, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.  This diversity encourages cooperation and understanding, and attributes fundamentals to success in both military and civilian life.

Serving both as professors and and mentors to the cadets, Gonzaga's Military Science faculty consistently win awards and promotions for their commitment and dedication to their students and the US Army.