University of Montana
Department of Military Science
Missoula, MT 59812
MSL 301/303 – Platoon Operations
Fall 2014
1. Course Description: MSL301 is a 3-credit course that is accompanied by
MSL303, a 1-credit lab. Together the class and lab employ discussions, practical
exercises, and some lecture material. Scheduled class periods are 1240-1400 on
Tuesday in Schreiber Gym Room 304 and 1245-1700 on Thursday. The lab meets at
1245 at Schreiber Gym and will be conducted at various training locations around
Missoula, MT. Both courses are required for MS III students; do not plan other courses
during this time block.
2. Course Objectives: The primary focus of instruction is to provide Cadets with
an understanding of military leadership, basic individual and small unit tactics, and
hands-on leadership experience in preparation for the U.S. Army Cadet Summer
Training (CST). Cadets will develop their own personal leadership style through
practical application. We will accomplish these objectives through classroom instruction
and practical application of the following subjects:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Maps/Terrain/Land Navigation
Unified Land Operations
Mission Analysis and COA Development
METT-TC
Mission Command
Troop Leading Procedures
Drill and Ceremony
Individual Briefings
Branch Orientations
Peer Leadership
At the conclusion of the semester the Cadets will be able to lead a squad on a
variety of garrison and tactical missions, navigate over rough terrain using a map and
compass (day and night), and understand the paradigms of leadership in a military
environment.
3. Course Requirements:
a. Class attendance: Cadets are required to attend all scheduled instruction and
must obtain permission from the instructor prior to missing any training (this includes
Physical Training). Cadets are responsible for the completion of all missed work.
Attendance at all labs, PT, and other functions is required. Uniforms will be worn to
class and lab. The uniform is the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) unless otherwise
specified. Uniforms should be generally free of wrinkles and boots should be clean and
serviceable. Only issued uniform items may be worn.
b. Readings: Each Cadet is responsible to read the designated material prior to
class and be prepared to discuss the material during class. There may be scheduled
reading assignments, with an accompanied quiz on ROTC Blackboard, which must be
completed prior to attending classes.
c. Lab: Lab is held every Thursday from 1245 – 1700. Labs are designed to
improve proficiency in technical and tactical skills and provide an opportunity to put
classroom instruction into practice. All lab sessions are mandatory. Cadets will hold an
accountability formation at Schreiber Gym o/a 1240 on Thursday, and then be
transported to the Lab site by Cadre; use of personal vehicles will generally be
prohibited. Your grade in MS 303 will be determined based on your attendance and
level of participation in the lab sessions. On some occasions lab sessions will not end
until approximately 2000. Please plan classes and jobs accordingly.
d. Examinations: The mid-term and exit exams will consist of multiple choice, fill-inthe-blank, essay questions, and culminating exercises. Numerous quizzes will be
presented through ROTC Blackboard. These quizzes are multiple choice and are
automatically graded with a time limit that will require you to have completed the reading
assignment prior to starting the quiz.
e. Briefings: Students are required to prepare and present operations orders
throughout the semester.
f. Physical Training: PT is mandatory and will be from 0600 to 0730 Monday
through Friday by exception only on Wednesdays at Schreiber Gym. It is expected that
any excused absences will be coordinated in advance with your advisor. Participation
in varsity sports does not mean that you will be excused from PT. Even if you are not
enrolled in MSL 315 (PT) the morning PT sessions are mandatory for all contracted
Cadets. Failure to regularly attend PT will directly influence your grade.
g. Leadership Positions: Each MSIII will assume a variety of platoon/squad
leadership positions throughout the semester. These garrison positions (Company
Commander, First Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Squad Leader) are
evaluated positions and will be considered at the end of year Cadet Evaluation Report
(CER). Cadets can be administered a Spot Report at any time when not in a leadership
position (which can be positive or negative).
h. Commissioning Ceremony: All Cadets are required to attend the end of
semester commissioning ceremony. Additionally, members of the MSIII class may be
needed to help with or participate in the ceremony. Missing the commissioning
ceremony will result in forfeiture of one letter grade in the class.
i. Cannon Crew/Color Guard/Parking Lot Detail: All Cadets will serve on the
cannon crew, color guard, and/or parking lot detail. Specific details on these groups are
available through the Cadet OICs for each, and will be posted on the CDT bulletin
board.
4. Course Evaluation: This course can be taken for letter grade only. Grading
criteria is as follows:
a. Attendance: Class, Lab, PT, FTX
b. Quizzes and Homework
c. Participation
d. Mid-Term Exam
e. Final Exam
f. Record APFT
5. Grading Scale:
10%
10%
10%
25%
25%
20%
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
6. Course Administration:
a. Office Hours: Normal office hours are from 0800-1600 daily. Cadets can
contact CPT Pat Beckwith anytime utilizing the below contact information:
CPT Pat Beckwith
patrick.beckwith@mso.umt.edu
(406) 243-4187 (w)
(253) 292-8774 (c)
b. Counseling: Formal counseling with each Cadet will be conducted at least twice
each semester: once at the beginning and once after midterm.
c. Required Texts: FM 3-21.8, MSL301 (Adaptive Team Leadership), TACSOPs,
and the Ranger Handbook will be provided. Other military manuals will be
provided as necessary.
d. The Blackboard system will be utilized for this course. Usernames are 8cdt
followed by the last four of your Student ID (8cdt1234). Your username is not
automatic; if you cannot access MSL 301 let me know and I will create your
account. Default password is “password”. The website address for blackboard is
http://rotc.blackboard.com. Cadets are expected to explore the course
information on Blackboard. Important course information will be posted to this
site, and most of the course materials are available there.
// ORIGINAL SIGNED //
Patrick A. Beckwith
CPT, USA
Assistant Professor Military Science