Reynolds College Blog

ROTC more than just “playing Army”

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Tucked away in the basement of Freudenberger residence hall, the Department of Military Science often goes unnoticed by passersby.

The concrete-grey steps leading down to the department draw little attention.

Just inside, the mood changes. Visitors encounter a bold welcome message on the department’s front doors:

“What’s your warrior? Join our TEAM.”

This is the home of the MSU Bear Battalion.

The Bear Battalion

Military personnel in gear
Maybe not your typical college classroom. ROTC students at lab. Photo credit: Department of Military Science.

MSU’s Bear Battalion was established in 1952. During the 1970s, the program branched out to include other area schools. At this time, Evangel, Drury and Southwest Baptist University also participate in the Bear Battalion.

According to the Army ROTC website, ROTC was officially created in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Defense Act.

Its roots can be traced back to 1819 when the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy was formed in Norwich, Vermont, to develop “citizen-soldiers” while providing them with an education.

The concept continued to expand, culminating in the official creation of ROTC in 1916.

Since then, Army ROTC has become the “largest officer-producing organization with the American military.” The organization has produced over 600,000 men and women commissioned officers.

At Missouri State, the Bear Battalion is just part of that 600,000 ROTC-strong.

These young men and women stand out on campus when they wear their military gear, especially on Thursdays, when they have ROTC lab.

Otherwise, they blend in with other MSU students, milling about campus in their jeans and khakis and “BearWear.”

They act like other MSU students, too. They goof off and kid around, they go on spring break trips, they play video games. They are into art and music and movies. They are active in campus organizations and church.

They truly do look and act like “regular” college students. And they want people to know that they are regular college students.

Yet their experience as Bear Battalion cadets does make them a little different.

They admit it themselves when they talk about how ROTC has changed their lives for the better.

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Cadet Marlee Edwards took a risk with ROTC—and has never looked back

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ROTC Cadet Marlee Edwards describes herself as almost painfully shy.

Looking at her ROTC career at Missouri State University, though, one would be hard-pressed to believe her.

Throughout her journey, she has transformed from someone who barely spoke to her classmates to a battalion leader barking out orders.

Edwards says it is the risks she has taken, including joining ROTC in the first place, that got her there.

Finding a fulfilling career path

Edwards, who graduates this May with a degree in psychology and a minor in military science, found her career passion through ROTC.

“I originally started college as a biology major with a minor in psychology,” Edwards said. “I decided to change to a psychology major after I joined ROTC my second semester of freshman year.”

Edwards made the decision in part because she felt more “motivated” in her psychology classes than her biology classes. But seeing the possibilities of what she could do with a psychology degree within the military cemented the decision for her.

“Being around the military environment, I realized how much I enjoyed it,” she explained. “It helped push me towards the idea of wanting to work with service members and veterans as a clinical psychologist.”

Now Edwards has clear, definite career plans. She will commission into the Missouri National Guard as an officer this fall, which will require her to attend drill one weekend a month. By fall of 2025, she hopes to be in graduate school.

Financial benefits a big draw

The financial benefits of joining ROTC are perhaps the most obvious, and initially they were a big draw for Edwards.

Originally from Excelsior Springs, MO, Edwards joined ROTC not only to challenge herself but also to secure financial support for her education through both ROTC and the Army National Guard.

Edwards had already planned to join the Guard. But when she came across an ROTC recruitment email, she was intrigued.

“I decided I might as well give it a try, just to see how it goes,” she said.

Since then, Edwards has enjoyed financial benefits many of her college peers never have.

“I am an SMP Cadet, Simultaneous Membership Program, which means I am in the Missouri National Guard as well as the ROTC program,” Edwards explained. “This means I get paid [for] my drill weekends once a month, and I also get a $420 stipend for being contracted through ROTC.”

In addition, Edwards’ tuition at MSU has been completely paid for.

“I’m graduating college with little debt compared to most students, and I haven’t had to have a job for the last year and a half,” Edwards said. “The financial benefits ROTC has provided me has given me the ability to focus on my academics without worrying about needing to work a job.”

[Read more…] about Cadet Marlee Edwards took a risk with ROTC—and has never looked back

MSU’s Army ROTC announces 2024 summer training and full-tuition scholarship

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MSU’s Army ROTC encourages students from all academic majors to attend a five-week summer training program for a chance to earn a full tuition scholarship.

Eligible students who complete the summer training and remain in ROTC can apply for a full-tuition, two-year Army ROTC scholarship valued at over $30,000, according to Phillip Roberson, Scholarship and Enrollment Officer and adjunct faculty in the Department of Military Science.

“Although Army ROTC is an opportunity for all students and all academic majors, this transformative opportunity is unique to students graduating in 2026,” said Roberson.

Training sessions, all held at Fort Knox, Ky., will take place throughout summer 2024.

Giving students a competitive edge

The training program focuses on leadership, teamwork and physical fitness, Roberson said, and gives students a “competitive edge” in their careers.

“By joining the Army ROTC program, you open doors to diverse career placements,” he explained. “Whether you choose active duty, the Army National Guard, or the US Army Reserves upon graduation, our program equips you with the skills needed for success in both military and civilian sectors without requiring a change in your academic major.”

Roberson described the scholarship as Army ROTC’s commitment to support exceptional individuals by providing them with financial freedom during their college years.

Students interested in the 2024 summer program should contact Roberson for more information about summer training, scholarship eligibility and the numerous benefits of joining the Army ROTC.

“The first step for any student who may be interested in ROTC is to contact me, and the pathway to get to summer training is through my office,” Roberson explained. “During the initial meeting, I will review a student’s eligibility and help them pave a path forward that makes the most sense for them.”

“Every student is different and requires a personalized plan to help them through this process,” he added.

Army ROTC 2024 Summer Training Dates

May 31-July 4
June 5-July 9
June 10-July 14
June 15-July 19
June 20-July 24
July 25-July 29
June 30-Aug. 3
July 5-Aug. 8
July 10-Aug. 13
July 15-Aug. 18

Explore opportunities in Army ROTC and Military Science

MSU’s Military Science Department stays busy with fall activities

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Missouri State University’s Department of Military Science is keeping busy with a flurry of fall activities.

The department has already been busy, with its ROTC color guard leading this year’s homecoming parade Oct. 21 while contributing a rockets-and-space themed float to the festivities.

More is on the schedule, though, including field training exercises, ranger task force competitions and Veterans Day celebration activities.

Field training exercise at Camp Crowder Oct. 26-29

The battalion will take part in a four-day field training exercise at Camp Crowder near Neosho, Missouri, Oct. 26-29.

The Camp Crowder exercises are designed to train junior class cadets for a five-week leadership training event to be held summer 2024 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, according to Maj. Eric Wahner, assistant professor of military science.

During the Fort Knox event, cadets will rotate “through various leadership positions and skill training lanes,” Maj. Wahner explained.

To prepare cadets for the session at Fort Knox, the Camp Crowder training exercise features rifle qualifications, land navigation training using maps and compasses, obstacle courses, machine gun and pistol familiarization and qualification ranges and squad tactical situational lanes, Maj. Wahner added.

Black Hawks on campus

Black Hawk helicopters are scheduled to land on campus Oct. 26-27 to transport cadets and some MSU staff to Camp Crowder who want to watch the training.

If inclement weather prevails, however, the Black Hawks will be cancelled. Buses will be on standby to transport the cadets, according to Maj. Wahner.

“Our training will continue with or without the helicopters,” Maj. Wahner said. [Read more…] about MSU’s Military Science Department stays busy with fall activities

MSU’s Bear Battalion wins Task Force Ranger Challenge

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Missouri State University’s Bear Battalion Ranger Challenge team took first place in the Task Force Ranger Challenge Competition held Oct. 13-14 in Fort Leonard Wood, defending their championship.

The win ensures that the team advances to the Brigade Ranger Challenge competition Nov. 3-5 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Difficult and complex competition

The Bear Battalion competed in the 11-person team challenge, according to Major Eric Wahner, assistant professor of military science.

Maj. Wahner described the difficulty and complexity of the competition.

“The competitive tasks the team faced on the first day of competition included a very difficult timed obstacle course with monkey bars, rope bridges, cargo nets and rope climbing,” Maj. Wahner said.

After that, the team interacted with a “call for fire” digital trainer, which tested the cadets’ ability to request artillery against an enemy target.

Next, the team completed a land navigation written exam, followed by a competitive test at a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear defense station, which required donning protective equipment and performing several dexterity tasks.

The team concluded with a fitness event that required them to run one mile while carrying two 40-pound kettle bells and two ammo cans.

“The entire 11-person team crossed the finish line together, as a team, in a record seven minutes,” Maj. Wahner said.

And that was just Day 1.

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