Military Affairs

University of California, Berkeley

Overview

The Military Affairs Program, within the Division of Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies (UGIS), comprises the three distinct military officer commissioning programs: Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), Army ROTC, and Naval ROTC. The purpose of the program is to integrate the educational offerings of the separate military services into the regular University curricula. In performing academic functions, the Military Affairs Program operates the same as any other program within UGIS. Its military faculty members, though nominated by the three military services, are subject to the same selection process as other UC Berkeley faculty members, and the Academic Senate's Committee on Courses must approve its curriculum. Military Affairs courses are open to all Berkeley students, as well as to students from other East Bay colleges under cross-enrollment agreements or through UC Berkeley Extension.

No undergraduate majors or minors or graduate degrees are offered in any of the following programs; they are designed to supplement a student's degree program.

Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC)

The Department of Aerospace Studies (AS) provides instruction in military history and heritage, leadership principles, and national security. While the Aerospace Studies curriculum is designed to develop aspiring leaders in the Air Force and Space Force, AS courses are open to all students and do not require enrollment in AFROTC. The mission of AFROTC is to “Develop leaders of character for tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force.” As such, AS courses emphasize student participation and involvement. Courses are conducted as seminars and require active student discussion. AS courses are presented in increasing topic depth and complexity as follows (note, AS courses do not have pre-requisite requirements): 

In addition to Berkeley students, AS courses are available to students from 31 Bay Area colleges and universities through our crosstown enrollment program (see airforcerotc.berkeley.edu for a list of participating crosstown schools). 

The Department of Aerospace Studies provides interested students with the opportunity to become a General Military Candidate in the AFROTC. To become an active cadet at Detachment 085, Berkeley or crosstown students must have at least three full academic years remaining in their bachelor's degree program. Under certain circumstances, a student may join the AFROTC program while simultaneously completing a graduate degree program. 

Developing a leader's character requires more than academics. In addition to the AS courses, active cadets are required to attend:

  • A weekly 2-hour leadership laboratory (LLAB) that is restricted to, and mandatory for all AFROTC cadets; LLAB consists of cadets organizing, leading and managing their own cadet military unit while accomplishing leadership training objectives.

  • At least two 1-hour, cadet-led physical fitness sessions.

  • Complete a military physical fitness assessment each term.

Active cadets develop their leadership through participation in volunteer projects, professional leadership organizations, officer development training, military internships. AFROTC cadets are eligible to compete for scholarships, which cover the costs of tuition, books, and fees.  In addition, a $300-$350 monthly allowance is paid to scholarship cadets; a $450-$500 monthly allowance paid to all cadets in their last two years in the AFROTC program.

For more information on becoming a leader in AFROTC and a future officer in the Air Force or Space Force, see our website at see airforcerotc.berkeley.edu. 

Military Science (Army ROTC)

Program Overview: The Military Science curriculum is the Army’s premier leadership development program and is open to all graduate and undergraduate students.  This 4-year comprehensive program offers several distinct advantages for students interested in military service and leadership development.  Divided into two parts, the Basic and Advance Course, it strives to develop leaders with the ability to influence, motivate, and guide individuals or groups toward achieving a common goal or vision.  Our students graduate ready to lead in their chosen profession, in both the Army and private sector.  For those interested in military service, the program offers select students the opportunity to commission as an officer and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships which can cover up to 3.5 years of tuition and student fees. Other scholarship benefits include a monthly stipend, additional military training (Airborne, Air Assault, Jungle Warfare), and internships with organizations such as Livermore Labs, MIT, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.  Fully funded summer language opportunities are available through various partner universities and facilitate training in countries such as Japan, Mongolia, and Morocco.

Part I – Basic Course:  The Basic Course is open to all students, graduate and undergraduate, seeking to develop leadership skills. This course series consists of four classes and introduces students to the Army, leadership fundamentals, and intragroup dynamics.  Select students are allowed to enroll in an accompanying leadership lab and training exercises where they learn to implement classroom concepts and basic military field crafts. Students are encouraged to follow the two-year construct of the basic course but can elect to enroll at any point during the program.

  • MIL SCI 1 Leadership Lab – Select Students Only
  • Freshmen:
    • Fall –  MIL SCI 2 Introduction to the Army and Critical Thinking (1 Unit)
    • Spring – MIL SCI 3 Introduction to the Profession of Arms (1 Unit)
  • Sophomore
    • Fall – MIL SCI 100 Leadership and Decision Making (2 Units)
    • Spring – MIL SCI 101 Army Doctrine and Team Development (2 Units)

Part II – Advance Course: The Advance Course is available only to students who are approved to pursue a commission in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.  It is designed to teach all knowledge, skills, and behavior required of Army officers. Students are encouraged to synthesize lessons to form broader perspectives, deeper insights, and more robust problem-solving abilities. Topics are designed to facilitate entry into military service as students assume greater roles and responsibilities in the program.

  • MIL SCI 1 Leadership Lab – Mandatory for all Advance Course students
  • Junior:
    • Fall – MIL SCI 131 Training Management and the Warfighting Functions (3 Units)
    • Spring – MIL SCI 132 Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations (3 Units)
  • Senior:

Completion of the Military Science curriculum provides a structured and rewarding pathway for students to develop leadership skills, receive financial support for education, explore diverse career opportunities, and serve their country with honor and distinction. 

This program is open to non-UC Berkeley students through cross-town enrollment.

For more information on the Military Science curriculum or Army ROTC, please see our website at see army.berkeley.edu or email armyrotc@berkeley.edu

Naval Science (Naval ROTC)

The Department of Naval Science offers a program of instruction for men and women leading to commissions in either the US Navy or US Marine Corps.  Naval Science courses are open to all university students or, subject to approval, may be taken through UC Berkeley Extension.

Students enrolled in the Naval ROTC program will normally complete the following courses during their first two years as part of their overall academic load:  NAV SCI 1, NAV SCI 2, NAV SCI 3, and NAV SCI 10.  Navy Option students will then complete the following courses during their junior and senior years:  NAV SCI 12A, NAV SCI 12B, NAV SCI 401, and NAV SCI 412.  Marine Option students will participate in a Marine seminar and complete the Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare (NAV SCI 154) and Evolution of Warfare (NAV SCI 20).  All Navy Option scholarship students must complete one year of calculus and one year of calculus-based physics by the end of their sophomore and junior years respectively.

Students are also required to attend weekly professional development laboratories each Thursday. These three-hour sessions offer the student midshipman an active role in the management and direction of the midshipman battalion and provide time for the midshipmen to explore professional topics. Student midshipmen also participate in four-to-six week summer training cruises throughout the world.  While at sea and serving alongside Sailors and Officers, they apply theoretical aspects of their education and training to the real-world environment of the U.S. Navy. Marine Option midshipmen attend Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in the summer between their junior and senior year.

To learn more about various NROTC scholarship opportunities, selection criteria, and the application process, please visit nrotc.navy.mil/scholarships. 

Courses

Select a subject to view courses

Aerospace Studies

Military Affairs

Military Science

Naval Science

Contact Information

Military Affairs Program

Aerospace Studies

Hearst Gym

Phone: 510-642-3572

Military Sciences

Hearst Gym

Phone: 510-642-3374

Naval Sciences

Hearst Gym

Phone: 510-725-5783

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