Army and Air Force teamed up to create new study program

Students may have the opportunity to pursue a new minor beginning Fall 2010.

Army and Air Force ROTC leaders have teamed up to create the joint military studies minor through the College of Business Administration. They submitted a proposal for the minor in August.

“This minor solidifies the relationship with the Army and the Air Force,” said Maj. Jeff Lakner, assistant professor of military science for Army ROTC. “Army cadets will be required to take Air Force classes, and Air Force cadets will be required to take Army courses, in addition to a military history course along with their regular ROTC courses.”

Lakner said he has been working with Capt. Michael Frymier, Air Force ROTC’s unit admissions officer, to update the current military leadership minor by making it more attainable for students.

“This minor is far more realistic,” Frymier said. “The specifics of the current minor are so rigid that it’s nearly impossible to complete it. I think there is only a handful of five to seven students that have ever completed the minor as it exists.”

The proposed minor comprises eight courses, half of which are aerospace studies courses and the other half of which are military science courses. Current ROTC courses also will factor in to the minor.

“We want to give students exposure to our sister service,” Frymier said. “Many times with Air Force instruction our view is very one-sided.This is a good opportunity for them to get a different perspective from another branch of service.”

Frymier and Lakner are confident the minor will pass all stages of approval and will be offered to students in less than a year.

“I think we have enough time to make any changes we need to by the end of spring semester,” Lakner said. “I would think barring any university declines of that minor, we should be good to go for the fall.”

Frymier hopes 25 percent of Air Force ROTC’s cadets will opt for the minor, and Lakner’s goals for Army ROTC are similar.

“A lot of the ROTC cadets put so much work into the program,” Lakner said. “Some of the credits aren’t recognized as LERs, so this is a way for them to recognize their efforts through the school.”

Since this is one of the first times both ROTC branches have worked together on a project, Frymier said it will be a great chance for students and leaders to learn together.

“We work together once or twice in a semester,” he said. “We haven’t done a lot of educational or classroom-type instruction together, so I think we’ve opened up a new door here where we can share leadership and experiences together.I’m excited of the opportunity it presents for the students, and that’s really what this is all about.”

Contact Greek life and ROTC reporter Kate Sheafer at [email protected]