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Maroon Battalion (MSU) · Bulldog
Maroon Battalion (MSU) runs Army ROTC from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS.
About this program
Mississippi State University's Army ROTC — the Maroon Battalion — is one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country, with roughly 100 participating students and cadets. Its graduates have gone on to serve at the highest levels of the Army as well as in the corporate and public sectors, a record the program points to as evidence of a lifetime of service and leadership.
Cadets learn to build competent, cohesive teams and to provide purpose, direction, and motivation in any competitive environment, all while earning their degree and training to commission as U.S. Army officers. Classes are open to all students on Mississippi State's main campus, and the program stresses that cadets gain lasting friendships and memories alongside their leadership training. Cadets also take part in campus traditions such as the annual Egg Bowl Run.
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 Maroon Battalion (MSU) by commuting to Mississippi State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Mississippi State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Mississippi State University.
Cross-enroll students take Military Science courses at Mississippi State University.
Contact & location
Phone: 662-325-1586
Site: https://armyrotc.msstate.edu
Located at: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762
Army ROTC FAQ
Where is Maroon Battalion (MSU) located?
Maroon Battalion (MSU) is hosted at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. The battalion's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Mississippi State University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Maroon Battalion (MSU)?
In addition to Mississippi State University, students enrolled at Mississippi University for Women, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi Valley State University can contract through Maroon Battalion (MSU) via cross-town agreements. Cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to the host for ROTC-side coursework.
What scholarships are available through Maroon Battalion (MSU)?
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 Maroon Battalion (MSU)?
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 Army ROTC program at Mississippi State?
The Maroon Battalion has approximately 100 participating students and cadets, and is described as one of the oldest and most prestigious Army ROTC programs in the United States.
Who can take Army ROTC classes at Mississippi State?
Army ROTC classes are open to all students on Mississippi State's main campus, giving any student the chance to develop leadership skills while training to become a U.S. Army officer.
What's the corps size at Maroon Battalion (MSU)?
Maroon Battalion (MSU) has an approximate corps size of 100 cadets.
Can students at other schools join Maroon Battalion (MSU)?
Yes — Maroon Battalion (MSU) accepts cross-town and partner students from 3 other institutions, including Mississippi University for Women, East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi Valley State University. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Interested in Maroon Battalion (MSU)?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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