Leatherneck Battalion
Hosted at Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL
Leatherneck Battalion draws cadets from Western Illinois University and surrounding Illinois campuses.
Quick facts
About this program
Operating out of Western Illinois University, Leatherneck 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 Leatherneck.
Cadets from Spoon River College, Carl Sandburg College, Monmouth College, and Knox College cross-enroll into Leatherneck Battalion on a typical once-per-week schedule, with leadership labs, PT, and Military Science classes held on the Western Illinois University campus.
Funding paths into this battalion include AROTC 4-Year National and AROTC 3-Year Advanced, with Minuteman (Reserve/Guard) also available. Western Illinois University's academic strengths in nursing and health professions and mathematics and applied analytics give contracted cadets flexible major options on either side of the technical/non-technical line.
Cross-town partners
| Institution | Relationship | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spoon River College , IL | cross-town | 0.0 mi | — |
| Carl Sandburg College , IL | cross-town | 0.0 mi | — |
| Monmouth College , IL | cross-town | 0.0 mi | — |
| Knox College , IL | cross-town | 0.0 mi | — |
Scholarships available
See the Army scholarship overview for the full slate of scholarships activatable at Leatherneck Battalion.
Academic programs at Western Illinois University
Cadets at Leatherneck Battalion pursue degrees across Western Illinois University's undergraduate catalog. Branch-preferred fields (engineering, foreign language, nursing, computer science) often carry scholarship benefits. See Western Illinois 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
Address: Macomb, IL
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Photos
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Leatherneck Battalion located?
- Leatherneck Battalion is hosted at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.
- Can students at other schools join Leatherneck Battalion?
- Yes — Leatherneck Battalion accepts cross-town and partner students from 4 other institutions, including Spoon River College, Carl Sandburg College, Monmouth College, Knox College. See the cross-town partners table for distance and enrollment paths.
- Can I commission through Leatherneck Battalion as any major?
- Army programs accept students from most academic majors at Western Illinois 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 Leatherneck Battalion?
- See the contact section for current cadre information.
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