Morgan State / Coppin State University Army ROTC: The Bear Battalion

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) is one of the best leadership courses in the country and can be a part of your college curriculum. Being a student at Morgan State University and learning to become a leader will make your college experience richer and prepare you for the future. You will gain the confidence and competence to lead others, organizations, your community, and your country.

If you are interested, the first step is to call the Professor of Military Science or Senior Military Science Instructor and register for a military science course at Morgan State University or Coppin State University. We are more than happy to sit down and discuss with future and current students (and parents!) the benefits of choosing the military as a future career and the multiple benefits offered for Morgan State University and Coppin State University Cadets.

To begin your journey Call Us!

Professor of Military Science: Lieutenant Colonel Damon N Knauss   Cell: 910-850-7403

Senior Military Science Instructor: Master Sergeant Antoine Sims  Cell: 407-617-5623

Starting Your Career - Success Now and in the Future

Morgan State / Coppin State University Army ROTC is a leadership development program that prepares college students to lead and succeed in any competitive environment and potentially earn a Comission as a United States Army Officer.  A Comission means you are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate to hold an office, hence the term Officer.

Our driving philosophy at Morgan State University is: "Excellence is the expectation." Excellence starts in our department by becoming 1% better every day. We place great emphasis on ensuring that each of our students succeeds in physical fitenss, academics, athletics, student activities, and ROTC. Throughout all four years, faculty are invested and work with each student one-on-one to ensure that they achieve their goals and meet all requirements to earn a Comission as a United States Army Officer. We know that people first leadership results in our future Second Lieutenants learning to be disciplined (showing up at the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform, with the right attitude) and responsible (taking care of NCOs & Soldiers). Our graduates of the the Morgan State and Coppin State University ROTC program serve throughtout the Army and we have an active alumni network. The Morgan State ROTC program is considered the HBCU Black West Point as 12 of our graduates have reached the pinancle of a military career earning the rank of General Officer.  Our graduates also serve as influential community and business leaders (CEOs, CFOs, entrepreneurs, etc.), government officials, and elected leaders at the City, State, Congressional, and Senate level.

When you are cleared by the Morgan State or Coppin State University registrar for graduation, you will be Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (*must meet all standards and requirements) the Wednesday or Thursday prior to Commencement in a special MSU ROTC comissioning ceremony.  Also, our students typically choose to follow tradition and wear their dress uniforms to Commmencement instead of a cap and gown and repeat their Oath of Office during the ceremony. Students in their senior year (one year out from graduating), will be Accessed and can potentially be Commissioned into the Active Duty (full time), National Guard (part time), or Reserve (part time) components of the Army and this is done via a National OML and Talent Management processs. Part-time service allows students to pursue impactful civilian career fields or advanced schooling. For example, we have many Cadets who choose to go to medical school or dental school and continue to serve in the National Guard or Reserves. Within the part-time components, students can apply to serve in any state within the United States. Students who choose to sere part-time typically serve on weekends once a month and an annual training of two weeks a year while simultaneously pursuing graduate/postgraduate education or working full-time civilian jobs and receive the benefits associated with part-time Army service.

The leadership training and experiences that you will gain in Morgan State Army ROTC will provide you with a foundation to become a Commissioned Army Officer upon graduation. We are focused on excellence in the fundamentals, which is physical fitness, GPA, and meeting and exceeding all Army standards. We teach leadership through tactics, and it is important to know that you are not expected or required to be a master tactician in Army ROTC.  We are teaching Cadets to think through complex problems, make timely decisions, and assume prudent risk. Your career as a Commissioned Officer will just be the beginning, we teach all our Cadets that the hard work they put in now during ROTC where there is very little risk pays huge dividends later as they develop cumulative advantage in their early career.  We want our Cadets to start their career prepared and confident in their training and abilities as a junior Officer.

Cadets find a variety of interesting Officer career fields (called Branches) in the Army that mirror most all civilian career fields like Medical Services (Medical Professions), Signal or Cyber (IT & Cybersecruity), Finance (Accounting), Chemical (BioTech), Military Police (Law Enforcement), Engineer (Engineering, Construction Management) Logistics (Logistics/Transporation), Adjutant General (Human Resources), Aviation (Flight), and combat arms professions that are unique to the Army like Field Artillery, Infantry, Armor, and Air Defense Artillery. Once you choose your Army branch, you will embark on specialized training at the Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) after you Comission.  BOLC typically last approximately 7-12 months depending on your branch. Learn more about Branches and Specialties at the official Army website. For more detailed information and specific contact information, visit the Virtual Branching Office website.

Upon completion of Basic Officer Leader Course training and arrival at their first assignment, Army Officers may pursue additional specialized training and postgraduate educational opportunities. Junior Officers can be assigned to advanced leadership and staff positions. They may also help develop doctrine, teach military tactics, or serve as advisors.

Regardless of which component (full time or part time), Morgan State and Coppin State University ROTC graduates excel.

Morgan State / Coppin State University Army ROTC graduates commonly experience accelerated career timelines and lifetime salaries that exceed their peers and national averages. For example, an Army Second Lieutenant (O-1) starts with around $50,000 in base pay annually, plus significant benefits like housing alloweances (BAH), food allowances (BAS), free healthcare, and retirement contributions, bringing the total compensensation including the untaxed allowances into the $75,000 to $90,000+ range for base pay plus benefits.  Total packages often reach over $100,000 with allowances and bonuses, depending on location and specifics. The actual value depends heavily on BAH/BAS which varies by duty station, and potential bonuses and moving allowances.

Students of the Bear Battalion also have access to one of the most influential alumni networks in the nation, comprised of 12 General Officers, elected governmental officials, business and industry leaders, and more through the Morgan State University ROTC Alumni Chapter.

Very Important Things to Get Started

Morgan State / Coppin State University Army ROTC is not just any other ROTC program. Bear Battalion students have access to numerous grants, funds, and benefits. The Bear Battalion is the primary commissioning source for Commissioned Officers in the Maryland Army National Guard. This means that students have first access to unique resources, networks, and opportunities in Baltimore/DC and Maryland that are unmatched by any other institution.

Is it absolutely critical for interested students, parents, guardians, or key adult figures to read our Scholarships and Other Funding Opportunities .

All Army ROTC Cadets are required to register with the Veterans Engagement Services office as soon as you enroll as an ROTC student to unlock additional ROTC benefits. In addition, you must remain in contact with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure that your annual FAFSA and other documentation is correct. If you are an out-of-state student, there are multiple pathways for ROTC students to gain in-state tuition (reduces your total tuition bill by half).