OSU-Cascades and the Oregon Army National Guard offer a unique leader development program specifically for the civilian, career-minded student. This program, the Guard Officer Leader Detachment or GOLD program provides motivated young men and women exciting and valuable instruction in a variety of areas such as decision-making, goal-setting, team-building and small-group leadership. Classroom and outdoor activities are designed to physically, mentally, and emotionally challenge you, build your self-confidence and develop your leadership skills. If you qualify, you could earn a commission as an Army officer upon graduation in the Oregon Army National Guard.

The GOLD program provides on-campus military science instruction in two parts: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. All classes are fully accredited and applicable towards fulfilling academic requirements for a baccalaureate degree. There is also a minor in Military Science offered through the OSU Gold Program. Many timeline options exist for those at different stages of their study. Contact Major Kirk Mickelsen for more information.

• New and Current Student Advising: CPT, Sean Nixon, 541-322-3143, sean.nixon1@us.army.mil 

More information on:

• The Basic Course (Introductory Phase)
• The Advanced Course (Pre-Commissioning Phase)
• Minor in Military Leadership
• Financial Incentives
• Commissioning
• Program Structure / Schedule (pdf document)
• Course Descriptions (pdf document)

Gold Program Faculty

CPT, Sean Nixon, 322-3143, sean.nixon1@us.army.mil 

BASIC COURSE (Introductory Phase)

The Basic Course is comprised of 100 and 200-level lower division courses, and is usually taken in your freshman and sophomore years. It is open to any student enrolled at COCC or OSU. Your participation in this course is completely voluntary and requires no military commitment. Instruction is oriented on adventurous outdoor and classroom activities that give you insight into military service, basic soldiering, and leadership.
You also learn about the citizen-soldier and some of his/her social contributions, duties and responsibilities. Through your personal involvement, you will see whether this role appeals to you.

ADVANCED COURSE (Pre-Commissioning Phase)

You must join the Guard and complete Army Initial Entry Training to be eligible for the Advanced Course.

The Advanced Course is a two-year pre-commissioning phase that integrates classroom instruction, military training and practical experience to progressively develop your leader skills, qualities and character. In April of your sophomore year, you enroll in the state Officer Candidate School (OCS) at the Oregon Military Academy and train as an Officer Candidate with your OCS class during the summer. Summer training consists of 15 consecutive days after your sophomore year and another 15 consecutive days after your junior year. This training is presented in a challenging, 24-hours-a-day world. For this training, you are paid as a Staff Sergeant (E-6). In your junior and senior years, leader development occurs in 300 and 400-level upper division Military Science and PEH 180 Army Physical Fitness classes. We continuously assess your performance and provide you the essential feedback and reinforcement you need to become a top-notch leader in business, the community and the Guard.

Eligibility for the Gold Program Advanced Course

You must meet these requirements to be accepted into the Advanced Course:

1. Be between 18 and 34 years old,
2. Be a U.S. citizen,
3. Be a member of the Army National Guard,
4. Have completed Initial Entry Training (IET),
5. Be in good health as evidenced by a current physical,
6. have an Army GT score of 110+ and a SAT of 850 or an ACT of 19,
7. Be of good moral character and behavior, and
8. Be an admitted student at Central Oregon Community College or Oregon State University (Cascade campus).
9. Although you do not have to participate in the Basic Course to enter the Advanced Course, it is encouraged.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Several benefits are available to you once you join the Guard and participate in the GOLD program. As a full-time student, the Montgomery GI Bill will pay you $309 per month to help you get your college degree. GI Bill Kicker $200 initially and increased to $350 once you complete Phase I. The Student Loan Repayment Program will help you repay up to $20,000 of your student loans while you pursue your commission. As a guardsman, you may qualify for an $10,000 initial enlistment or $15,000 prior service bonus and receive weekend drill pay of between $180 and $200 per month. Drill pay increases to that of a Staff Sergeant (E-6) or roughly $270 to over $280 per month once you enroll in OCS. Additionally, IET pay for 8 week Basic Training and 5-8 week Advanced Individual Training amounts to between $1,290 and $1,850 a month. (Exact pay is dependent upon marital status and years of service.)
As a National Guard soldier, you are eligible for the 100% Federal Tuition Assistance. You may also compete for the Major General Willard K. Carey Scholarship awarded annually to a junior or senior in the Advanced Course, who is an Oregon resident, maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA, is physically fit, and exhibits leadership potential and exceptional character traits. This scholarship pays full tuition, book costs, and incidental fees for one year.
The bottom line is that during your junior and senior year, you can receive $659 a month in cash and have 100% of your tuition paid for.

COMMISSIONING

When you complete the Advanced Course and receive your degree, you are commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Oregon Army National Guard. You receive an officer specialty and are assigned to a unit in Oregon based on your personal preference, academic background, civilian employment, GOLD recommendations, and the needs of the Guard. As a newly commissioned officer, you normally attend an Officer Basic Course (OBC) in your specialty shortly after graduation. OBC is two months or longer, depending upon your specialty, for which you are paid over $2,750 per month. Your Reserve commission permits you to serve in any state National Guard or Army Reserve unit, if a position vacancy exists, should it become necessary due to civilian employment transfer.

MINOR - MILITARY SCIENCE

The minor in military science provides the student a fundamental understanding of human behavior and the process of leading, motivating, and inspiring people to accomplish common goals. The student learns basic factors, principles, ethics, styles, and competencies of leadership that affect what he/she must be, know, and do to be an effective leader in any environment, civilian or military. This minor can be earned in conjunction with participation in the National Guard Gold Program.

1. Open to any COCC or OSU student.
2. A minimum of 30 graded credited required for the minor.
3. Earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in all courses required for the minor.
4. Courses required for minor:
   
   MS 311 Military Leadership (3)
   MS 312 Military Operations (3)
   MS 313 Small Unit Tactics (3)
   MS 411 Preparation for Officership (3)
   MS 412 Preparation for Officership (3)
   MS 413 Leadership and Management of Military (3)
5. At least 10 credit hours to be selected from the following:
   
   SP 111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
   WR 121 English Composition (3)
   LIB 127 Information Research Skills (2)
   PEH 180 Health & Fitness (3)
   
   PSY 201/202 Psychology (S) (5)
   SOC 201W General Sociology (SS) (4)
   PHIL 202 Critical Thinking (LL) (5)
   POLS 204 Intro to Comparative Politics (SS) (4)
   
   BA 357 Operations Management (5)