Military Ball: [top]
The Military Ball is a annual cadet activity. The Ball is a formal event
for cadets, cadre, alumni, family, and other prestigious guest. It is
an exciting event which offers cadets an opportunity to "dress-up"
and meet potential mentors. Each year, a previous commissioning class
is invited, four alumni are inducted in the ROTC Hall of Fame, and Ms.
ROTC is crowned. Some past guest speakers have been Major General (RET.)
Prather (1996), General Johnnie Wilson (1997), and General Ward (2001).
Dining-In: [top]
The Dining-In is a military tradition less formal than the Military
Ball. The purpose is to acquaint cadets and reacquaint the cadre with
traditions of a military formal dinner. There are many activities such
as toast, skits, and the infamous "grogg" bowl ceremony. The
Dining-In strengthens the morale of the cadets and allows for a fun
time.
Homecoming Activities: [top]
Cadets are involved with every aspect of Homecoming. It usually kicks
off on Saturday with the Ms. Morgan's Coronation which includes the
presentation of Ms. ROTC. On Sunday, cadets usher at the main homecoming
church service. Next is the "Forever Morgan Gala", here cadets
function as hosts and hostesses and mingle with alumni. On parade day,
cadets lead the Annual Homecoming Parade with 10 JROTC units and the
United States Army Old Guard. Afterwards, the Bear Battalion Ranger
Team will "clear" a passageway for the Morgan Bears Football
team triumphant entrance onto the field by removing all destructive
forces using a smoke screen and appropriate military maneuvers. The
crowning achievement of the cadet involvement in homecoming is seen
through the awe inspiring Golden Knights' jump onto the field with the
official game ball.
Guest Speaker Program: [top]
The Military Science Department is vastly enriched due to the bountiful
support of its alumni. Every Thursday, a guest speaker, usually an alumnus,
comes to speak about many different topics such as their experiences,
as well as what it takes to be successful in the 21st century in both
the army and private business sector.
ROCKS, Inc.: [top]
The ROCKS, Inc. was named in honor of General Roscoe C. Cartwright
one of the original founders of the organization. The ROCKS, Inc. membership
is open to active duty, retired, reserved and former officers from all
the uniformed services. Over the years, it has contributed to strengthening
the Army's Officer corps professionalism and to building a stronger,
culturally diverse force. ROCKS programs include encouraging and rewarding
outstanding Army ROTC cadets, establishing liaison with Professors of
Military Science at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and
assisting with precommissioning orientations through it leadership outreach
program. The ROCKS, Inc. Morgan Team conduct assistance visits every
year and provide other support as requested.
Awards Ceremony: [top]
Recruiting and retaining quality young men and women in the "Bear
Battalion is a primary objective of the Morgan State University ROTC
department. The Awards program was established so as to recognize those
students whose performance and academic achievement has set them apart
from their contemporaries. Currently, the "Bear Battalion"
conducts three Awards ceremonies per school year. The September Awards
ceremony serves several purposes. It stands as a welcome back ceremony
to upper level cadets, official welcome to freshman cadets, and a thank
you salute to the various faculty and staff members who assisted the
ROTC department with recruiting during the summer. The November commemoration
acknowledges the Advance camp, Basic Camp, Airborne, Air Assault and
Northern warfare graduates as well as the Color Guard, Drill team and
Ranger challenge team members. The final awards ceremony is conducted
in May. This function presents academic awards such as: the American
Legion, George C. Marshall Award, Reserve Officers Association Gold
and Silver Medals, Reserve Officers Association Ribbons of Merit-Freshman
and Sophomore, American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam
Medal, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the USA Citation of Achievement,
Sons of the American Revolution Medal, Daughters of Founders and Patriots
of America Medal, ROTC Physical Proficiency Award, ROTC Recondo Award,
Army Parachutist Badge, Outstanding Cadet at ROTC Advanced Camp Award
and Outstanding Ranger Award.
Guest speakers such as MAJ Gen. Arthur Dean, T.C. Newman, Vice President
of Human Resource Operations for Warner Brothers, Gen (R) Larry R.
Ellis, Gen William Kip Ward, Col. Louis D. Huddleston and MAJ Gen. Stewart Wallace, have cast down their infinite buckets of experience
and wisdom upon the "Bear Battalion" in hope that they might
provide thirst quenching inspiration.
ROTC WEEK: [top]
Every year in the month of April, the "Bear Battalion" conducts
an ROTC Week for the campus of Morgan State University. During this
week, our primary objective is to plan and execute different activities
that the students of Morgan State would like to be interested in and
serves as a great recruiting tool. Such activities include an Aviation
day, where we bring to the campus an Army Aircraft for the students
to climb inside and ask questions. Other activities include a 5K Run,
5K Ruckmarch, Basketball Tournament, Seminars from our prestigious ROTC
Alumni, Book signings from which those Alumni who are authors, and a
Ranger Team demonstrations of a grenade assault course and a one rope
bridge crossing. In addition, we have our Spring Awards Ceremony and
we end the week with a Bar B Que for the campus in which we show Army
videos and our drill team drills for the campus.
UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS: [top]