Black Bear Battalion
Hosted at University of Maine · Orono, ME
Black Bear Battalion runs Army ROTC at University of Maine for cadets across Maine.
Quick facts
About this program
Operating out of University of Maine, Black Bear Battalion commissions cadets into the U.S. Army under U.S. Army Cadet Command. Cadre and cadets commonly identify by the unit's nickname — the Black Bear.
Cadets from Husson University, Thomas College, and Maine Maritime Academy cross-enroll into Black Bear Battalion on a typical once-per-week schedule, with leadership labs, PT, and Military Science classes held on the University of Maine campus.
Funding paths into this battalion include AROTC 4-Year National and AROTC 3-Year Advanced, with Minuteman (Reserve/Guard) also available. University of Maine's academic strengths in nursing and health professions and history and the humanities give contracted cadets flexible major options on either side of the technical/non-technical line.
Cross-town partners
| Institution | Relationship | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas College Waterville, ME | cross-town | 14.5 mi | — |
| Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME | cross-town | 49.1 mi | — |
| Husson University Bangor, ME | cross-town | 60.0 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 University of Maine
Cadets at Black Bear Battalion pursue degrees across University of Maine's undergraduate catalog. Branch-preferred fields (engineering, foreign language, nursing, computer science) often carry scholarship benefits. See University of Maine'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
Address: Orono, ME 04330-9410
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Photos
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Black Bear Battalion located?
- Black Bear Battalion is hosted at University of Maine in Orono, ME 04330-9410.
- Can students at other schools join Black Bear Battalion?
- Yes — Black Bear Battalion accepts cross-town and partner students from 3 other institutions, including Thomas College, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University. See the cross-town partners table for distance and enrollment paths.
- Can I commission through Black Bear Battalion as any major?
- Army programs accept students from most academic majors at University of Maine. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
- How do I contact Black Bear Battalion?
- See the contact section for current cadre information.
Related programs
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.