Department of Military Science

The Reserve Officer Training Corp was established at Bowie State University in September of 1974, through a cross-enrollment agreement with Howard University. The program commissioned its first ROTC graduates May 1978. With the establishment of ROTC at BSU, a proud tradition of commissioning competent leaders of character was initiated.ROTC at Bowie State University became an official “Host” Institution on October 15, 2001.

Today, the program averages 85-95 Cadets each semester. These Cadets include not only BSU students, but also cross-enrollment students from University of Maryland, Prince George's Community College, and Anne Arundel Community College. Students in the BSU ROTC program learn management and leadership skills necessary to be successful in any career.

The program offers Cadets a different type of college course, where they learn to perform practical hands-on leadership in a variety of situations. “Leadership Excellence” is the motto of ROTC expressing the ultimate responsibility of Army ROTC in the discharge of its duty to the Nation. Throughout Bowie State University history, the Cadets have expressed the same thunderous motto, “Lead, Follow, or Get Out the Way!”


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