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Department of Military Science
Welcome to The Marauder Battalion
Continuing the Legacy — Deeds, Not Words!
Army ROTC, Our Legacy
In 1893, President Cleveland authorized the Secretary of War to establish a military training program at Wilberforce University, the first private, historically black university in the United States. Subsequently, Wilberforce University became the first educational institution with a Student Army Training Corps for African Americans in 1894.
The training operations began with the appointment of Lieutenant John H. Alexander, the second African American to graduate from West Point, as teaching officer. Unfortunately, Alexander passed away at the age of 30, three months after he was assigned. Lieutenant Charles Young was appointed to fill his role, serving as professor of military science and tactics from 1894 to 1898. Young's accomplishments in building the nation’s first military training program for African Americans had lasting influence.
Today, the cadet battalion is called the Marauder Battalion. It is named for the mascot of the battalion’s home institution, Central State University, and continues to use the techniques Young implemented. It still includes students from Wilberforce University, and has expanded to students at Cedarville University and Wittenberg University.
Army ROTC at Central State University
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a college-based military officer commissioning program designed as a college elective. Through the ROTC program, you will develop skills in leadership, problem-solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics. Rigorous training will help you gain the confidence and self-discipline necessary to succeed in college, the military, and beyond.
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Try Army ROTC with no obligation
Unlike traditional college programs, Army ROTC gives you a wide range of experiences while you work toward a degree. You'll combine classroom time with hands-on experience — learning skills that are sure to give you an edge over your peers when it comes time to look for a job. Whether you're planning a career in the Army or the corporate world, Army ROTC is a smart elective course to take.
As part of Army ROTC, you'll be in the company of a diverse group of individuals with broad interests — individuals who are presidents of their student governments, captains of their varsity sports teams, club presidents, or members of the National Honor Society.
Your studies will include Leadership Development, Military Skills, and Adventure Training. Army ROTC courses teach you how to succeed in a competitive world both in college and beyond.
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Simultaneous Membership Program Opportunities
You can earn a scholarship and commission to serve your country and state part-time in the Ohio Army National Guard or in the United States Army Reserves. Text us at 937-367-8342 to learn about SMP opportunities. This program requires you to enlist in the Guard or Reserves and to participate in ROTC at the same time. One weekend a month, you will have the opportunity to drill with your unit as an SMP Cadet, where you will learn and practice your leadership skills. You are non-deployable once you are contracted with ROTC, and there is a list of different benefit packages you can earn as either a scholarship Cadet or as a non-scholarship Cadet. You are strongly encouraged to talk to LTC Hathorne prior to enlisting for the SMP program.
Army ROTC Scholarships
Scholarships and other monetary support are available to help with costs when you join Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Focus on your education and graduate into a secure path as an Army Officer—and with less debt for the school years your scholarship covers. You’re eligible if you are a high school student enrolling in college, enrolled in college, or an active-duty enlisted Soldier.
The Army ROTC National Scholarship will cover 100% tuition and fees, $420 a month for books, and pay you $1,200 a year for books, plus allow you to earn your commission as an officer in the United States Army when you graduate!
See a list of required ROTC related forms.
Army Careers
The Army has 16 major functional areas (branches) that are available to ROTC graduates, from being in the next generation of paratroopers with the Infantry branch to designing and helping construct major civil engineering projects with the Corps of Engineers.
For a more in-depth look at all Army major functional areas, see U.S. Army VBO.
For updates on events and pictures on Marauder Battalion, please visit the following links:
Marauder Battalion Cadre Members
