MSCI 217: Army Conditioning

Fall Quarter 2009

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVE. Army Conditioning is designed to support the Army

ROTC course student, using Army physical fitness training in preparation for National Advanced
Leadership Camp and active military duty. This military conditioning course is constructed to provide you
with military fitness training used in today's Army. The course will primarily be workout oriented with
emphasis on physical fitness goals and demonstrated abilities to lead physical training activities.
2. MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY. I believe that fitness can be both fun and challenging. Throught this course
we will experiment exercises and movements that work us through broad time and modal domains. My focus is to
prepare you for the physical challenges that you will face as an Army Officer. You will also learn the skills needed
to plan your own workouts.
3. TIMES: Class is Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 0640 to 0740 in the Heath Education Center. We will meet in
the upstairs meeting room.
4. COURSE REQUIREMENTS.
a. Academic Responsibility: You are a student FIRST, however, in preparation to become an officer and a
leader, it is also expected that you learn to simultaneously handle academic as well as extracurricular activities. It is
your primary responsibility to maintain good academic standing throughout your college career and to complete
your degree on time. Graduation is a commissioning prerequisite.
b. Participation and attendance. I expect each student to fully participate in all aspects of class;
participation and attendance is a portion of your grade. Considerations will be given to students on a case-by-case
basis and to cadets with special circumstances. If there is an emergency closure of the college due to widespread
illness, adjustments may need to be made to the syllabus or mode of instruction in order to achieve course
objectives. A trend of unexcused or excused absences will negatively impact your grade.
d. Uniform and Appearance. All cadets will maintain high standards of appearance in accordance with
Army regulations while in military uniform or at ROTC functions. Civilian attire will be clean and tasteful. It will
not display obscene, vulgar, or anti-social slogans or graphics. Civilian attire depicting drug paraphernalia will not
be tolerated at any ROTC-related function. Cadets will refrain from wearing body-piercings while participating in
organized ROTC activities even when in civilian attire. Earrings are authorized for female cadets only.
The uniform for physical training is the Army Standard PT Uniform unless otherwise directed. The
summer or winter uniform will be dictated by weather conditions and announced ahead of time by the instructor.
Male cadets must shave BEFORE the accountability formation for PT.
e. Professionalism and Military Bearing. I expect you to begin preparing yourself to comply with military
customs and courtesies as a disciplined officer. I expect to be addressed by the appropriate title of "Sergeant and
for you to address other cadre and staff appropriately. I also expect appropriate posture, clothing wear and
mannerisms, i.e, knock on my door before entering. Cell phones must be turned off (or set to the vibration-mode
only) during lecture. (Any exception to this rule must be cleared in advance and in writing between Student and
Instructor. Also, NO TEXT MESSAGING during class)
f. Administrative Requirements.. If you have not completed a DoDMERB physical, you must return a
Medical Fitness Statement (DA Form 3425-R) to me signed by your doctor or a staff member at your university
health center to participate in PT. You must ensure you have paid your fees to use the Health Education Center on
the Fort Steilacoom Campus. These fees can be found on the Pierce College website.
http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hec/fs/rates.php

g. Grading. Grades are determined in accordance with the PC grading policy. Grading will be based on a
weighted point system. The maximum number of points that can be earned is 100. Listed below is how each of the
7 areas will be graded.
1. Physical Fitness. Physical Fitness is an important part of being leader. You will be required to
take a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) at the beginning of the Quarter and a
Record APFT at the end of the Quarter. The APFT will account for 20 points of your final
grade. It will take a score of 240 points on the APFT to get 20 points on the grade scale.
2. Attendance and Participation. There will be 27 periods of on campus classroom instruction.
The dates for these classes are listed on the Course Overview. Even if you have an injury
preventing you from participating fully, you must attend every class period.
3. Journal. You will be required to bring a small notebook with you to each day of class. In this
notebook you will keep track of your training and progression.
4. Group PT Leadership. Students will learn how to conduct a proper Army PT Formation, Warmup, and Cool-down. Each Student will be graded on their ability to lead the formation and
perform the exercises correctly.
Graded Assignment
APFT Score
Attendance
Journal
Group PT Leadership

Maximum Score
20
30
25
25

Total Points

100

The following grading Scale will be used to determine letter grade:

Numeri
c

Letter

Equivalent grade

4.0 - 3.5

Superior achievement

3.4 - 2.5

Above average achievement

2.4 - 1.5

Average achievement

1.4 - 0.7

Lowest passing grade

0.0

Indicates student did not do passing work in the course,

did not attend during the quarter, or did not officially
withdraw.

h. Honor
Code. Honesty,
integrity, and solid moral and ethical behavior are essential characteristics of an Army officer. Your actions and
appearance are evaluated at all times and your conduct should not embarrass yourself or discredit the Military
Science Department. Set an example for others to emulate. Cadets who are caught plagiarizing or cheating will also
face consequences through Peirce College. You give your honor and integrity away - no one can take it from you.
Do not compromise either. Do not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.
i. Office hours. My office is located in Memorial Gym on Pacific Lutheran Universitys campus. I am here the
majority of the time, and drop-ins are welcome, but it helps if you make an appointment. I will be available on Peirce
Colleges Fort Steilacoom campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1300-1400 in Olympic 308. Arrangements can be
made to meet on Fort Steilacoom at anytime. I can be reached at the office at (253) 536-5108, and my email is
merciesa@plu.edu. I have an open-door policy for all students.
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5. Cadets who have extracurricular activities or situations that will potentially conflict with these requirements, make an
appointment to see me immediately so we can resolve the issue.
6. Special Considerations: Pierce College is dedicated to providing equal access to all its educational and student
services. Therefore, I encourage any student who feels he/she may have a disability, or any special need, to contact the
Access and Disability Services Office.
Students with disabilities who believe they may need academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services to
fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements are encouraged to register with the Access and
Disability Services Office, Room C-300K in the Cascade Building. You may also call the ADS office to make an
appointment to meet with the ADS Coordinator at (253) 964-6526 or 964-6527.
7. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email or by paying me a visit when any concerns and issues arise. My door
is and will always be open to each of you. I am proud of each of you for not just trying to improve yourself, but for also
serving your country in a time of war.
Scott W Mercier
SFC, IN
MS I Instructor