Advanced Program
Advanced Program courses are restricted to students (meeting departmental criteria) who sign a contract to accept a commission as an Army officer with a military service obligation. The primary objective of the Advanced Program is to prepare qualified college students for military service as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army, the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve. Students meeting departmental criteria become eligible for Advanced Program courses by:
- Successfully completing three of the four basic courses (MIL 121, 131, 202, 212).
- Having prior military service (Honorable discharge or current affiliation).
- Successfully completing the Leader’s Training Course (MIL 235).
Students accepted as cadets in the Advanced Program receive a monthly stipend of up to $500 (tax-free) for 10 months during each of their contracted years. Additionally, contracted cadets receive the College of the Ozarks’ Patriotic Scholarship,
which pays all room and board. They also attend a five-week summer camp (MIL 325), normally between their Junior and Senior year. While attending, cadets will participate in a challenging variety of military training environments, receive a salary equal to one half of a lieutenant’s base pay, and have all meals and housing provided by the Army. During each semester, all contracted cadets must participate in classes, the scheduled physical fitness program, labs, and field training exercises (some mandatory events will involve travel away from campus). Upon completion of the Advanced Program courses, Leader Development and Assessment Course and a bachelor’s degree, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants. These officers may elect to complete their military service either full-time in the U.S. Army, or part-time in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve.
