South Plains College to offer ROTC courses beginning fall 2018

 

LEVELLAND – In fall 2018, South Plains College will offer Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) courses for freshmen and sophomore students. 

SPC has entered a partnership with Texas Tech University’s Department of Military Science and the United States Army to provide students with an introduction to the U.S. Army profession, the role of the Army officer and military leadership. 

“For some time now, the ROTC group from Texas Tech has tried to make their courses available to our students,” said Dean Yancy Nunez. “Prior to this year, we were unable to accommodate and support the program. But most recently through discussions with Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Jackson and Major Jason Putteet, they came to an agreement with Dr. Robin Satterwhite, President of SPC, and Dr. Ryan Gibbs, Vice President for Academic Affairs, about what could be done for SPC.” 

The first of the four courses is MILS 1102-001 Foundation of Officership I. Students are not required to make a military obligation for taking this course. The lecture portion of the course will be offered on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. A lab will be required with this course. 

The course focuses on providing the bedrock of principles of the Army profession, personal development skills and competencies that are critical for effective leadership and communication. Students will learn how the personal development of skills such as cultural understanding, goal setting, time management, stress management and comprehensive fitness relate to leadership, officership and the Army profession. 

The Army will provide the course instructors, and the cadets will be supplied with Army combat uniforms for all activities. All required text and other materials will be provided in the classroom via Blackboard. Cadets must attend, participate and engage with their classmates in the areas of Classroom, Physical Fitness Labs and Field Training Exercises. 

“This is a great opportunity for students to explore career options,” Dean Nunez said.

The remaining three courses will include Foundation of Offership II in spring 2019; Individual Leadership Studies – Leadership and Teamwork I in fall 2019; and Individual Leadership Studies – Leadership and Teamwork II in spring 2020. 

For more information, contact George Hampton, recruiting operations officer at Texas Tech’s Department of Military Science, at (806) 834-5018 or Dr. Peggy Skinner, interim dean of Arts and Sciences at South Plains College, at (806) 716-2455.