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Bison Battalion · Bison
Army ROTC at Howard University commissions officers alongside University of the District of Columbia cross-town students.
About this program
Howard University's Bison Battalion offers ROTC pathways to becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Space Force, built on the university's values of “Leadership, Truth & Service.” Cadets take Military Science or Aerospace Studies courses alongside their degree, compete for two-, three-, and four-year scholarships, and can still join fraternities and sororities, play varsity sports, and take part in community service like any other student.
An important note for prospective Army students: Howard's Army ROTC is now run in partnership with Georgetown University, and prospective undergraduate and graduate cadets are directed to enroll through Georgetown's Hoya Battalion. Students with two or more years remaining can also enter the Army ROTC Advanced Course by completing the Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, over the summer.
As a historically Black university, Howard emphasizes the value of developing leaders within a community of shared experience. The program participates in Project GO, a Department of Defense initiative that funds critical-language study for ROTC cadets, and counts among its graduates a Howard alumna who served as a captain with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Scholarships available here
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
Covers full tuition and fees OR room and board (your choice), plus a $420/month stipend (10 months/yr) and $1,200/yr book allowance. Merit-based board score with PT assessment and SAT/ACT. Application opened June 14, 2026; final deadline to start an application is March 4, 2027. Three selection boards (Oct, Jan, Mar). 8-year total service obligation; you can exit after freshman year with no obligation.
Service obligation: 8 years
Cross-town & partner schools served
Students at these schools can commission through Bison Battalion by commuting to Howard University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Howard University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Howard University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Howard University.
Contact & location
Email: AFROTC@howard.edu
Phone: 202-806-6700
Site: https://rotc.howard.edu
Located at: Howard University, Washington, DC 20059
Army ROTC FAQ
Where is Bison Battalion located?
Bison Battalion is hosted at Howard University in Washington, District of Columbia. The battalion's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Howard University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Bison Battalion?
In addition to Howard University, students enrolled at University of the District of Columbia, Catholic University of America, and Trinity Washington University can contract through Bison Battalion via cross-town agreements. Cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to the host for ROTC-side coursework.
Is Howard University an HBCU?
Yes — Howard University is a Historically Black College or University. Bison Battalion commissions officers from a population the services have actively prioritized in their accession-source mix.
What scholarships are available through Bison Battalion?
Army ROTC cadets at this battalion compete for AROTC 4-Year National, AROTC 3-Year Advanced, Minuteman (Reserve/Guard), Green-to-Gold (prior-enlisted). National awards apply out of high school; on-campus side-loads kick in once a cadet is enrolled and contracted.
What's the Army ROTC summer training for cadets at Bison Battalion?
After the MS-III year, cadets ship to Cadet Summer Training (Advanced Camp) at Fort Knox for the 31-day capstone evaluation that drives branching and order-of-merit standing.
How big is the corps at Bison Battalion?
Public corps-size figures aren't always published year-to-year; Army ROTC battalions in this size class generally carry between several dozen and a few hundred contracted cadets depending on host enrollment.
How do prospective students enroll in Army ROTC at Howard?
Howard's Army ROTC is run in partnership with Georgetown University, so prospective undergraduate and graduate students interested in Army ROTC are directed to enroll through Georgetown's Hoya Battalion. Students can also enter the Advanced Course by completing the Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, over the summer.
Which ROTC branches does Howard offer, and are scholarships available?
Howard offers pathways to the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Space Force through its Military Science and Aerospace Studies departments. Cadets can compete for two-, three-, or four-year scholarships, and the program participates in Project GO for critical-language study.
Interested in Bison Battalion?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.