Bear Battalion (MSU)
Hosted at Missouri State University · Springfield, MO
Army ROTC in Springfield, MO runs out of Missouri State University as the Bear Battalion (MSU).
Quick facts
About this program
Bear Battalion (MSU) is the Army ROTC battalion hosted at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. The unit commissions officers into the U.S. Army.
The battalion pulls cadets from Drury University, Evangel University, College of the Ozarks, and Ozarks Technical Community College alongside its host enrollment. Military Science I-IV is taught on-site, and sister-school cadets bus or drive over for class days, PT, and the weekly leadership lab.
Cadets can pursue AROTC 4-Year National or, once on contract, AROTC 3-Year Advanced. Missouri State University brings academic depth in computer science and cybersecurity, and the unit aligns major selection with branch-board competitiveness.
Cross-town partners
| Institution | Relationship | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO | cross-town | 76.9 mi | — |
| Evangel University Springfield, MO | cross-town | 84.6 mi | — |
| Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MO | cross-town | 85.4 mi | — |
| Drury University Springfield, MO | cross-town | 85.8 mi | — |
| Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO | cross-town | 104.5 mi | — |
Scholarships available
Scholarship route obligating service in the Army Reserve or National Guard rather than active duty.
Service obligation: 8 years
Active-duty enlisted soldiers transition to officer via ROTC with several scholarship options (2-year, 3-year, 4-year).
Service obligation: 8 years
On-campus scholarship awarded to enrolled cadets at the start of their MS-II year.
Service obligation: 6 years
High-school senior scholarship covering full tuition + books at most public schools or up to a fixed amount at private schools. Requires a competitive board score, fitness test, and SAT/ACT minimums.
Service obligation: 8 years
Academic programs at Missouri State University
Cadets at Bear Battalion (MSU) pursue degrees across Missouri State University's undergraduate catalog. Branch-preferred fields (engineering, foreign language, nursing, computer science) often carry scholarship benefits. See Missouri State University's profile →
Training & summer
Army cadets attend Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox between their MS-III and MS-IV years for Advanced Camp, plus optional CULP overseas, Airborne, and Air Assault schools.
Contact & location
Email: Info@MissouriState.edu
Phone: 417-836-5000
Site: https://www.missouristate.edu/rotc
Address: Springfield, MO 65775-2715
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Bear Battalion (MSU) located?
- Bear Battalion (MSU) is hosted at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO 65775-2715.
- Can students at other schools join Bear Battalion (MSU)?
- Yes — Bear Battalion (MSU) accepts cross-town and partner students from 5 other institutions, including College of the Ozarks, Evangel University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Drury University. See the cross-town partners table for distance and enrollment paths.
- Can I commission through Bear Battalion (MSU) as any major?
- Army programs accept students from most academic majors at Missouri State University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
- How do I contact Bear Battalion (MSU)?
- Reach the unit at Info@MissouriState.edu. Phone: 417-836-5000. Official site: https://www.missouristate.edu/rotc.
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Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.